ESN vs. ACEP

Last updated Aug 6, 2026

ESN (Essential 40 Stock ETF) and ACEP (ARS Core Equity Portfolio ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. ESN is passively managed, while ACEP is actively managed. Their 0.66 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. ESN charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for ACEP.

Performance

ESN vs. ACEP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Essential 40 Stock ETF (ESN) and ARS Core Equity Portfolio ETF (ACEP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ESN achieves a 19.26% return, which is significantly lower than ACEP's 24.65% return.

ESN

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: 1.95%
• 6M: 12.60%
• YTD: 19.26%
• 1Y: 29.12%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 17.81%

ACEP

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 2.51%
• 6M: 15.44%
• YTD: 24.65%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
ACEP ARS Core Equity Portfolio ETF	$36.53K	$36.84K	$48.24K
ESN Essential 40 Stock ETF	$1.77M	$1.60M	$1.61M

ESN vs. ACEP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
ESN Essential 40 Stock ETF	19.26%	4.20%
ACEP ARS Core Equity Portfolio ETF	24.65%	8.00%

Correlation

The correlation between ESN and ACEP is 0.66, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 21, 2025	0.66

Return for Risk

ESN vs. ACEP — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

ESN

ESN Risk / Return Rank: 93
ESN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
ESN Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
ESN Omega Ratio Rank: 93
ESN Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
ESN Martin Ratio Rank: 93

ACEP

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

ESN vs. ACEP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Essential 40 Stock ETF (ESN) and ARS Core Equity Portfolio ETF (ACEP). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	ESN	ACEP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.92	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.04	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.55	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.27	—	—

Drawdowns

ESN vs. ACEP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESN drawdown since its inception was -13.60%, which is greater than ACEP's maximum drawdown of -7.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESN and ACEP.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESN	ACEP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.60%	-7.06%	-6.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.42%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.07%	-0.44%	+0.37%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.79%	-1.74%	-0.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.60%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	ESN	ACEP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.98%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.59%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.00%	16.86%	-6.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.05%	16.86%	-3.81%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.05%	16.86%	-3.81%

ESN vs. ACEP - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESN has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than ACEP's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

ESN vs. ACEP - Dividend Comparison

ESN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.76%, more than ACEP's 0.11% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
ACEP ARS Core Equity Portfolio ETF	0.11%	0.14%	0.00%
ESN Essential 40 Stock ETF	0.76%	0.91%	0.76%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ESN and ACEP in my portfolio?

ESN and ACEP have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, ESN or ACEP?

On fees, ACEP is cheaper at 0.45% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, ESN or ACEP?

ACEP is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for ESN.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ESN or ACEP?

ESN has the higher dividend yield at 0.76%, compared with 0.11% for ACEP.

What is the main difference between ESN and ACEP?

They also come from different issuers: KKM and ARS Investment Partners. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for ESN and 0.45% for ACEP.