GAPR vs. CAOS

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

GAPR (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - April) and CAOS (Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF) are both Options Trading funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, GAPR returned 10.56%/yr vs 3.56%/yr for CAOS. Their 0.04 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. GAPR charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.63%/yr for CAOS.

Performance

GAPR vs. CAOS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - April (GAPR) and Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF (CAOS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GAPR achieves a 5.25% return, which is significantly higher than CAOS's 0.75% return.

GAPR

• 1D: 0.49%
• 1M: 1.12%
• 6M: 4.79%
• YTD: 5.25%
• 1Y: 9.42%
• 3Y*: 10.56%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 11.20%

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%

*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)
CAOS Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF	$7.09M	$5.54M	$5.04M
GAPR FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - April	$325.26K	$322.93K	$863.93K

GAPR vs. CAOS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
GAPR FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - April	5.25%	6.68%	14.53%	10.11%
CAOS Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF	0.75%	2.55%	5.33%	6.58%

Correlation

The correlation between GAPR and CAOS is -0.35, 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.	-0.35
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	-0.07
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 24, 2023	0.04

The correlation between GAPR and CAOS shifts across timeframes, from -0.35 (1 year) to 0.04 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

GAPR vs. CAOS — Risk / Return Rank

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

GAPR

GAPR Risk / Return Rank: 95
GAPR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
GAPR Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
GAPR Omega Ratio Rank: 96
GAPR Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
GAPR Martin Ratio Rank: 97

CAOS

CAOS Risk / Return Rank: 49
CAOS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
CAOS Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
CAOS Omega Ratio Rank: 47
CAOS Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
CAOS Martin Ratio Rank: 44

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.

GAPR vs. CAOS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - April (GAPR) 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.

	GAPR	CAOS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.71	1.10	+1.61
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.08	1.74	+2.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.62	1.22	+0.40
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.59	2.27	+3.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	30.87	4.99	+25.87

GAPR vs. CAOS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GAPR Sharpe Ratio is 2.71, which is higher than the CAOS Sharpe Ratio of 1.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GAPR and CAOS, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

GAPR vs. CAOS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GAPR drawdown since its inception was -8.98%, which is greater than CAOS's maximum drawdown of -3.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GAPR and CAOS.

Drawdown Indicators

	GAPR	CAOS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.98%	-3.89%	-5.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.69%	-0.76%	-0.93%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.98%	-3.60%	-5.38%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.14%	+1.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.53%	-0.92%	+0.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.31%	0.34%	-0.03%

Volatility

GAPR vs. CAOS - Volatility Comparison

FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - April (GAPR) has a higher volatility of 1.65% compared to Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF (CAOS) at 0.46%. This indicates that GAPR'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.

Volatility by Period

	GAPR	CAOS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.65%	0.46%	+1.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.12%	1.07%	+2.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.50%	1.57%	+1.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.99%	4.17%	+2.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.99%	4.17%	+2.82%

GAPR vs. CAOS - Expense Ratio Comparison

GAPR has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than CAOS's 0.63% expense ratio.

Dividends

GAPR vs. CAOS - Dividend Comparison

Neither GAPR nor CAOS has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GAPR and CAOS in my portfolio?

GAPR and CAOS have a correlation of -0.35, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GAPR or CAOS?

GAPR has higher volatility (1.65%) compared to CAOS (0.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GAPR dropped -8.98% vs CAOS's -3.89%.

Which ETF is better, GAPR or CAOS?

On 3-year performance, GAPR leads with 10.56% 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.

Which ETF has performed better, GAPR or CAOS?

Over the 3-year period, GAPR has performed better with a 10.56% return vs 3.56%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GAPR or CAOS?

CAOS is cheaper with a 0.63% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for GAPR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GAPR or CAOS?

GAPR and CAOS have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between GAPR and CAOS?

They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and Alpha Architect. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for GAPR and 0.63% for CAOS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GAPR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.71 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.