JSML vs. CWS

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Janus Henderson Small Cap Growth Alpha ETF (JSML) and AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF (CWS).

JSML and CWS are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. JSML is a passively managed fund by Janus Henderson that tracks the performance of the Janus Small Cap Growth Alpha Index. It was launched on Feb 25, 2016. CWS is an actively managed fund by AdvisorShares. It was launched on Sep 20, 2016.

Performance

JSML vs. CWS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Janus Henderson Small Cap Growth Alpha ETF (JSML) and AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF (CWS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

JSML vs. CWS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
JSML Janus Henderson Small Cap Growth Alpha ETF	-4.74%	13.41%	12.45%	30.09%	-29.40%	3.08%	35.38%	32.50%	-2.53%	20.93%
CWS AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF	-5.77%	6.43%	9.82%	25.06%	-10.42%	22.20%	17.12%	30.97%	-6.46%	20.92%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, JSML achieves a -4.74% return, which is significantly higher than CWS's -5.77% return.

JSML

• 1D: 4.25%
• 1M: -7.42%
• YTD: -4.74%
• 6M: -6.13%
• 1Y: 15.83%
• 3Y*: 12.75%
• 5Y*: 1.14%
• 10Y*: 10.94%

CWS

• 1D: 2.17%
• 1M: -7.22%
• YTD: -5.77%
• 6M: -5.35%
• 1Y: -0.78%
• 3Y*: 8.80%
• 5Y*: 7.95%
• 10Y*: —

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

JSML vs. CWS - Expense Ratio Comparison

JSML has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is lower than CWS's 0.77% expense ratio.

CWS

AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF

JSML

Janus Henderson Small Cap Growth Alpha ETF

Return for Risk

JSML vs. CWS — Risk / Return Rank

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

JSML

JSML Risk / Return Rank: 42
JSML Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
JSML Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
JSML Omega Ratio Rank: 34
JSML Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
JSML Martin Ratio Rank: 47

CWS

CWS Risk / Return Rank: 11
CWS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
CWS Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
CWS Omega Ratio Rank: 11
CWS Calmar Ratio Rank: 12
CWS Martin Ratio Rank: 12

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.

JSML vs. CWS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Janus Henderson Small Cap Growth Alpha ETF (JSML) 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.

	JSML	CWS	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.66	-0.05	+0.71
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.09	0.05	+1.04
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.01	+0.13
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.29	-0.02	+1.31
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	4.44	-0.06	+4.50
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

JSML vs. CWS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JSML Sharpe Ratio is 0.66, which is higher than the CWS Sharpe Ratio of -0.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JSML and CWS, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	JSML	CWS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.66	-0.05	+0.71
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.05	0.51	-0.46
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.47	0.65	-0.18

Correlation

The correlation between JSML and CWS is 0.68, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

JSML vs. CWS - Dividend Comparison

JSML's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.66%, more than CWS's 0.32% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
JSML Janus Henderson Small Cap Growth Alpha ETF	0.66%	0.94%	1.19%	0.49%	0.67%	0.46%	0.30%	0.27%	0.76%	0.42%	0.52%
CWS AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF	0.32%	0.31%	0.59%	0.25%	0.50%	0.16%	0.27%	0.39%	2.07%	0.29%	0.03%

Drawdowns

JSML vs. CWS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JSML drawdown since its inception was -39.65%, which is greater than CWS's maximum drawdown of -33.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JSML and CWS.

Drawdown Indicators

	JSML	CWS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.65%	-33.82%	-5.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.84%	-11.92%	-2.92%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.91%	-24.87%	-13.04%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.65%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-11.22%	-10.01%	-1.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.02%	-4.51%	-6.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.32%	4.04%	+0.28%

Volatility

JSML vs. CWS - Volatility Comparison

Janus Henderson Small Cap Growth Alpha ETF (JSML) has a higher volatility of 9.14% compared to AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF (CWS) at 4.78%. This indicates that JSML'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

	JSML	CWS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.14%	4.78%	+4.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.36%	10.34%	+6.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.08%	16.29%	+7.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.19%	15.64%	+8.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.16%	16.96%	+7.20%