HVAC vs. CWS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

HVAC (AdvisorShares HVAC and Industrials ETF) and CWS (AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HVAC is a Industrials Equities fund actively managed by AdvisorShares, while CWS is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by AdvisorShares. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, HVAC returned 59.65% vs -0.99% for CWS. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. HVAC charges 1.00%/yr vs 0.77%/yr for CWS.

Performance

HVAC vs. CWS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AdvisorShares HVAC and Industrials ETF (HVAC) and AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF (CWS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HVAC achieves a 36.48% return, which is significantly higher than CWS's -1.80% return.

HVAC

• 1D: 1.91%
• 1M: 6.24%
• YTD: 36.48%
• 6M: 32.88%
• 1Y: 59.65%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

CWS

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: -0.37%
• YTD: -1.80%
• 6M: -1.31%
• 1Y: -0.99%
• 3Y*: 10.25%
• 5Y*: 8.16%
• 10Y*: —

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

HVAC vs. CWS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
HVAC AdvisorShares HVAC and Industrials ETF	36.48%	24.04%
CWS AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF	-1.80%	2.69%

Correlation

The correlation between HVAC and CWS is 0.59, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.59
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 5, 2025	0.65

The correlation between HVAC and CWS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.59 to 0.65 - a consistent structural relationship.

HVAC vs. CWS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	HVAC	CWS
Industrials	67.0%	22.4%
Technology	16.9%	18.5%
Utilities	7.4%	4.0%
Consumer Cyclical	4.5%	15.1%
Real Estate	2.8%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	4.2%
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	10.8%
Healthcare	-	25.1%

Return for Risk

HVAC vs. CWS — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

HVAC

HVAC Risk / Return Rank: 68
HVAC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
HVAC Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
HVAC Omega Ratio Rank: 60
HVAC Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
HVAC Martin Ratio Rank: 75

CWS

CWS Risk / Return Rank: 8
CWS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
CWS Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
CWS Omega Ratio Rank: 7
CWS Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
CWS Martin Ratio Rank: 8

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

HVAC vs. CWS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AdvisorShares HVAC and Industrials ETF (HVAC) and AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF (CWS). 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.

	HVAC	CWS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.19	-0.08	+2.27
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.75	-0.01	+2.76
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.00	+0.36
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.04	-0.08	+4.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.29	-0.22	+14.51
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HVAC vs. CWS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HVAC Sharpe Ratio is 2.19, which is higher than the CWS Sharpe Ratio of -0.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HVAC and CWS, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	HVAC	CWS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.19	-0.08	+2.27
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.52	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.67	0.67	+1.00

Drawdowns

HVAC vs. CWS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HVAC drawdown since its inception was -21.22%, smaller than the maximum CWS drawdown of -33.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HVAC and CWS.

Drawdown Indicators

	HVAC	CWS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.22%	-33.82%	+12.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.83%	-11.92%	-2.91%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-16.56%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.87%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.60%	-6.21%	+5.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.95%	-4.54%	+0.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.19%	4.61%	-0.42%

Volatility

HVAC vs. CWS - Volatility Comparison

AdvisorShares HVAC and Industrials ETF (HVAC) has a higher volatility of 11.09% compared to AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF (CWS) at 3.27%. This indicates that HVAC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CWS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HVAC	CWS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.09%	3.27%	+7.82%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.96%	10.29%	+12.67%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.43%	13.28%	+14.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.39%	15.66%	+13.73%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.39%	16.91%	+12.48%

HVAC vs. CWS - Expense Ratio Comparison

HVAC has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is higher than CWS's 0.77% expense ratio.

Dividends

HVAC vs. CWS - Dividend Comparison

HVAC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.14%, less than CWS's 0.31% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
CWS AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF	0.31%	0.31%	0.59%	0.25%	0.50%	0.16%	0.27%	0.39%	2.07%	0.29%	0.03%
HVAC AdvisorShares HVAC and Industrials ETF	0.14%	0.19%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HVAC and CWS in my portfolio?

HVAC and CWS have a correlation of 0.59, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HVAC or CWS?

HVAC has higher volatility (11.09%) compared to CWS (3.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HVAC dropped -21.22% vs CWS's -33.82%.

Which ETF is better, HVAC or CWS?

On 1-year performance, HVAC leads with 59.65% vs -0.99% for CWS. On fees, CWS is cheaper at 0.77% per year. On volatility, CWS has been the lower-risk option at 3.27%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HVAC or CWS?

Over the 1-year period, HVAC has performed better with a 59.65% return vs -0.99%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HVAC or CWS?

CWS is cheaper with a 0.77% expense ratio, compared with 1.00% for HVAC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, HVAC or CWS?

CWS has the higher dividend yield at 0.31%, compared with 0.14% for HVAC.

What is the main difference between HVAC and CWS?

HVAC is categorized as Industrials Equities, while CWS is Large Cap Growth Equities. Their fees differ too: 1.00% for HVAC and 0.77% for CWS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HVAC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.19 vs -0.07), 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.