FAB vs. CAOS
FAB (First Trust Multi Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund) and CAOS (Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FAB is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Multi Cap Value Index, while CAOS is a Options Trading fund actively managed by Alpha Architect. FAB is passively managed, while CAOS is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, FAB returned 13.91%/yr vs 3.48%/yr for CAOS. Their 0.04 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. FAB charges 0.64%/yr vs 0.63%/yr for CAOS.
Performance
FAB vs. CAOS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FAB achieves a 19.04% return, which is significantly higher than CAOS's 0.76% return.
FAB
- 1D
- -0.25%
- 1M
- 2.66%
- 6M
- 13.00%
- YTD
- 19.04%
- 1Y
- 32.09%
- 3Y*
- 13.91%
- 5Y*
- 10.19%
- 10Y*
- 11.09%
- ALL TIME*
- 8.42%
CAOS
- 1D
- -0.06%
- 1M
- -0.01%
- 6M
- 0.16%
- YTD
- 0.76%
- 1Y
- 1.73%
- 3Y*
- 3.48%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 4.70%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $6.81M | $5.39M | $5.09M | |
| $2.74M | $2.85M | $1.08M |
FAB vs. CAOS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
FAB First Trust Multi Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund | 19.04% | 9.86% | 7.82% | 6.60% |
CAOS Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF | 0.76% | 2.55% | 5.33% | 7.43% |
Correlation
The correlation between FAB and CAOS is -0.24, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | -0.24 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | -0.09 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 6, 2023 | 0.04 |
The correlation between FAB and CAOS shifts across timeframes, from -0.24 (1 year) to 0.04 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
FAB vs. CAOS — Risk / Return Rank
FAB
CAOS
FAB vs. CAOS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Multi Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FAB) and Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF (CAOS). 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.
| FAB | CAOS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.10 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.56 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.40 | 1.24 | +0.16 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 4.59 | 2.47 | +2.12 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 15.16 | 5.45 | +9.71 |
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Drawdowns
FAB vs. CAOS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FAB drawdown since its inception was -63.29%, which is greater than CAOS's maximum drawdown of -3.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FAB and CAOS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FAB | CAOS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -63.29% | -3.89% | -59.40% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -6.65% | -0.76% | -5.89% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -22.91% | -3.60% | -19.31% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -22.91% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -47.08% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.48% | -1.13% | -0.35% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.18% | -0.92% | -8.26% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.01% | 0.34% | +1.67% |
Volatility
FAB vs. CAOS - Volatility Comparison
First Trust Multi Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FAB) has a higher volatility of 3.83% compared to Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF (CAOS) at 0.51%. This indicates that FAB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CAOS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FAB | CAOS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.83% | 0.51% | +3.32% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 8.66% | 1.07% | +7.59% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 13.38% | 1.57% | +11.81% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.61% | 4.18% | +14.43% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.95% | 4.18% | +17.77% |
FAB vs. CAOS - Expense Ratio Comparison
FAB has a 0.64% expense ratio, which is higher than CAOS's 0.63% expense ratio.
Dividends
FAB vs. CAOS - Dividend Comparison
FAB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.52%, while CAOS has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CAOS Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
FAB First Trust Multi Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund | 1.52% | 1.57% | 2.00% | 1.94% | 1.80% | 1.32% | 1.59% | 1.75% | 1.96% | 1.42% | 1.40% | 1.62% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FAB and CAOS have a correlation of -0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
FAB has higher volatility (3.83%) compared to CAOS (0.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FAB dropped -63.29% vs CAOS's -3.89%.
On 3-year performance, FAB leads with 13.91% vs 3.48% for CAOS. On fees, CAOS is cheaper at 0.63% per year. On volatility, CAOS has been the lower-risk option at 0.51%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, FAB has performed better with a 13.91% return vs 3.48%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
CAOS is cheaper with a 0.63% expense ratio, compared with 0.64% for FAB.
FAB has the higher dividend yield at 1.52%, compared with 0.00% for CAOS.
FAB is categorized as Mid Cap Value Equities, while CAOS is Options Trading. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Alpha Architect. Their fees differ too: 0.64% for FAB and 0.63% for CAOS.
FAB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.29 vs 1.19), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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