FTDS vs. CAOS
FTDS (First Trust Dividend Strength ETF) and CAOS (Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FTDS is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Dividend Strength Index, while CAOS is a Options Trading fund actively managed by Alpha Architect. FTDS is passively managed, while CAOS is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, FTDS returned 15.66%/yr vs 3.56%/yr for CAOS. Their 0.05 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. FTDS charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.63%/yr for CAOS.
Performance
FTDS vs. CAOS - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FTDS achieves a 15.73% return, which is significantly higher than CAOS's 0.75% return.
FTDS
- 1D
- 0.57%
- 1M
- 4.59%
- 6M
- 9.00%
- YTD
- 15.73%
- 1Y
- 25.58%
- 3Y*
- 15.66%
- 5Y*
- 8.22%
- 10Y*
- 11.19%
- ALL TIME*
- 6.73%
CAOS
- 1D
- -0.01%
- 1M
- -0.02%
- 6M
- 0.18%
- YTD
- 0.75%
- 1Y
- 1.71%
- 3Y*
- 3.56%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 4.69%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $7.09M | $5.54M | $5.04M | |
| $150.27K | $146.43K | $189.47K |
FTDS vs. CAOS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
FTDS First Trust Dividend Strength ETF | 15.73% | 13.64% | 11.12% | 5.34% |
CAOS Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF | 0.75% | 2.55% | 5.33% | 7.43% |
Correlation
The correlation between FTDS and CAOS is -0.18, 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. | -0.18 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | -0.09 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 6, 2023 | 0.05 |
The correlation between FTDS and CAOS shifts across timeframes, from -0.18 (1 year) to 0.05 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
FTDS vs. CAOS — Risk / Return Rank
FTDS
CAOS
FTDS vs. CAOS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Dividend Strength ETF (FTDS) 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.
| FTDS | CAOS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.92 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.24 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.36 | 1.22 | +0.14 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.91 | 2.27 | +1.64 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.16 | 4.99 | +5.17 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
FTDS vs. CAOS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FTDS drawdown since its inception was -56.53%, which is greater than CAOS's maximum drawdown of -3.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTDS and CAOS.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| FTDS | CAOS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -56.53% | -3.89% | -52.64% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -6.57% | -0.76% | -5.81% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -18.04% | -3.60% | -14.44% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -23.35% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -42.47% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.18% | -1.14% | +0.96% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.81% | -0.92% | -8.89% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.52% | 0.34% | +2.18% |
Volatility
FTDS vs. CAOS - Volatility Comparison
First Trust Dividend Strength ETF (FTDS) has a higher volatility of 3.54% compared to Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF (CAOS) at 0.46%. This indicates that FTDS'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.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| FTDS | CAOS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.54% | 0.46% | +3.08% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 8.29% | 1.07% | +7.22% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.74% | 1.57% | +11.17% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.53% | 4.17% | +13.36% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.06% | 4.17% | +15.89% |
FTDS vs. CAOS - Expense Ratio Comparison
FTDS has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than CAOS's 0.63% expense ratio.
Dividends
FTDS vs. CAOS - Dividend Comparison
FTDS'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% |
FTDS First Trust Dividend Strength ETF | 1.52% | 1.59% | 2.05% | 2.15% | 2.31% | 0.72% | 0.99% | 1.13% | 1.14% | 0.79% | 1.24% | 0.95% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FTDS and CAOS have a correlation of -0.18, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
FTDS has higher volatility (3.54%) compared to CAOS (0.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTDS dropped -56.53% vs CAOS's -3.89%.
On 3-year performance, FTDS leads with 15.66% vs 3.56% for CAOS. On fees, CAOS is cheaper at 0.63% per year. On volatility, CAOS has been the lower-risk option at 0.46%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, FTDS has performed better with a 15.66% return vs 3.56%. 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 0.70% for FTDS.
FTDS has the higher dividend yield at 1.52%, compared with 0.00% for CAOS.
FTDS is categorized as Mid Cap Blend Equities, while CAOS is Options Trading. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Alpha Architect. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for FTDS and 0.63% for CAOS.
FTDS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.02 vs 1.10), 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.
Find the right allocation for FTDS and CAOS
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer