IMOM vs. BOXX
IMOM (Alpha Architect International Quantitative Momentum ETF) and BOXX (Alpha Architect 1-3 Month Box ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IMOM is a Momentum fund actively managed by Alpha Architect, while BOXX is a Ultrashort Bond fund tracking the Solactive 1-3 Month US T-Bill Index. IMOM is actively managed, while BOXX is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, IMOM returned 19.43%/yr vs 4.73%/yr for BOXX. Their 0.02 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. IMOM charges 0.38%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for BOXX.
Performance
IMOM vs. BOXX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IMOM achieves a 6.07% return, which is significantly higher than BOXX's 2.26% return.
IMOM
- 1D
- 1.01%
- 1M
- -5.82%
- 6M
- -2.57%
- YTD
- 6.07%
- 1Y
- 24.42%
- 3Y*
- 19.43%
- 5Y*
- 5.76%
- 10Y*
- 6.46%
- ALL TIME*
- 6.86%
BOXX
- 1D
- 0.06%
- 1M
- 0.41%
- 6M
- 1.95%
- YTD
- 2.26%
- 1Y
- 4.08%
- 3Y*
- 4.73%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 4.71%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $253.32M | $264.36M | $274.97M | |
| $662.97K | $645.03K | $675.79K |
IMOM vs. BOXX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IMOM Alpha Architect International Quantitative Momentum ETF | 6.07% | 47.20% | 5.22% | 9.15% | -1.01% |
BOXX Alpha Architect 1-3 Month Box ETF | 2.26% | 4.37% | 5.16% | 5.04% | 0.07% |
Correlation
The correlation between IMOM and BOXX is -0.01, meaning there was essentially no consistent relationship between their historical price movements. Each responded to its own set of market drivers.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | -0.01 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.04 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 28, 2022 | 0.02 |
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Return for Risk
IMOM vs. BOXX — Risk / Return Rank
IMOM
BOXX
IMOM vs. BOXX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alpha Architect International Quantitative Momentum ETF (IMOM) and Alpha Architect 1-3 Month Box ETF (BOXX). 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.
| IMOM | BOXX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -11.30 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -34.76 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.22 | 8.74 | -7.52 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.50 | 60.17 | -58.67 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.93 | 505.74 | -500.80 |
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Drawdowns
IMOM vs. BOXX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IMOM drawdown since its inception was -45.74%, which is greater than BOXX's maximum drawdown of -0.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IMOM and BOXX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IMOM | BOXX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -45.74% | -0.12% | -45.62% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -16.75% | -0.07% | -16.68% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -17.51% | -0.12% | -17.39% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -39.27% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -45.74% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -12.35% | 0.00% | -12.35% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -14.08% | 0.00% | -14.08% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.07% | 0.01% | +5.06% |
Volatility
IMOM vs. BOXX - Volatility Comparison
Alpha Architect International Quantitative Momentum ETF (IMOM) has a higher volatility of 8.90% compared to Alpha Architect 1-3 Month Box ETF (BOXX) at 0.09%. This indicates that IMOM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BOXX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| IMOM | BOXX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.90% | 0.09% | +8.81% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 19.66% | 0.27% | +19.39% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 22.00% | 0.33% | +21.67% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.31% | 0.37% | +19.94% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.32% | 0.37% | +19.95% |
IMOM vs. BOXX - Expense Ratio Comparison
IMOM has a 0.38% expense ratio, which is higher than BOXX's 0.19% expense ratio.
Dividends
IMOM vs. BOXX - Dividend Comparison
IMOM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.38%, while BOXX has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BOXX Alpha Architect 1-3 Month Box ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.26% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
IMOM Alpha Architect International Quantitative Momentum ETF | 2.38% | 2.53% | 4.52% | 2.95% | 6.06% | 1.27% | 0.59% | 1.17% | 0.78% | 1.11% | 0.54% |
Frequently Asked Questions
IMOM and BOXX have a correlation of -0.01, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IMOM has higher volatility (8.90%) compared to BOXX (0.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IMOM dropped -45.74% vs BOXX's -0.12%.
On 3-year performance, IMOM leads with 19.43% vs 4.73% for BOXX. On fees, BOXX is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, BOXX has been the lower-risk option at 0.09%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, IMOM has performed better with a 19.43% return vs 4.73%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
BOXX is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.38% for IMOM.
IMOM has the higher dividend yield at 2.38%, compared with 0.00% for BOXX.
IMOM is categorized as Momentum, while BOXX is Ultrashort Bond. Their fees differ too: 0.38% for IMOM and 0.19% for BOXX.
BOXX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (12.44 vs 1.14), 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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