KNOW vs. CAOS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

KNOW (Fundamentals First ETF) and CAOS (Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - KNOW is a Diversified Portfolio fund actively managed by Mason Capital Partners, while CAOS is a Options Trading fund actively managed by Alpha Architect. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, KNOW returned 18.95% vs 1.88% for CAOS. At a correlation of -0.21, they often move in opposite directions. KNOW charges 1.10%/yr vs 0.63%/yr for CAOS.

Performance

KNOW vs. CAOS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fundamentals First ETF (KNOW) 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, KNOW achieves a 12.09% return, which is significantly higher than CAOS's 0.82% return.

KNOW

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 1.23%
• YTD: 12.09%
• 6M: 12.69%
• 1Y: 18.95%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

CAOS

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: -0.09%
• YTD: 0.82%
• 6M: 0.69%
• 1Y: 1.88%
• 3Y*: 4.26%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

KNOW vs. CAOS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
KNOW Fundamentals First ETF	12.09%	8.19%	7.62%
CAOS Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF	0.82%	2.55%	4.48%

Correlation

The correlation between KNOW and CAOS is -0.26, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.26
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 23, 2024	-0.21

KNOW vs. CAOS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	KNOW	CAOS
Industrials	23.9%	8.5%
Technology	18.4%	33.1%
Energy	18.1%	4.1%
Financial Services	9.2%	12.4%
Basic Materials	6.6%	1.9%
Healthcare	6.3%	9.6%
Real Estate	4.4%	2.0%
Utilities	3.8%	2.6%
Communication Services	3.7%	10.4%
Consumer Cyclical	3.7%	10.0%
Consumer Defensive	1.8%	5.4%

Return for Risk

KNOW vs. CAOS — Risk / Return Rank

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

KNOW

KNOW Risk / Return Rank: 59
KNOW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
KNOW Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
KNOW Omega Ratio Rank: 58
KNOW Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
KNOW Martin Ratio Rank: 60

CAOS

CAOS Risk / Return Rank: 40
CAOS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
CAOS Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
CAOS Omega Ratio Rank: 39
CAOS Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
CAOS Martin Ratio Rank: 39

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.

KNOW vs. CAOS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fundamentals First ETF (KNOW) 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.

	KNOW	CAOS	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.98	1.24	+0.74
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.80	1.98	+0.82
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.26	+0.10
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.90	2.49	+0.40
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.59	6.22	+4.37
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

KNOW vs. CAOS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KNOW Sharpe Ratio is 1.98, which is higher than the CAOS Sharpe Ratio of 1.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KNOW 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	KNOW	CAOS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.98	1.24	+0.74
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.01	1.21	-0.20

Drawdowns

KNOW vs. CAOS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KNOW drawdown since its inception was -15.99%, which is greater than CAOS's maximum drawdown of -3.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KNOW and CAOS.

Drawdown Indicators

	KNOW	CAOS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.99%	-3.60%	-12.39%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.57%	-0.76%	-5.81%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-3.60%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.04%	-1.07%	+1.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.14%	-0.90%	-1.24%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.79%	0.30%	+1.49%

Volatility

KNOW vs. CAOS - Volatility Comparison

Fundamentals First ETF (KNOW) has a higher volatility of 1.96% compared to Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF (CAOS) at 0.26%. This indicates that KNOW'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

	KNOW	CAOS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.96%	0.26%	+1.70%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.07%	1.03%	+6.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.63%	1.52%	+8.11%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.36%	4.26%	+8.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.36%	4.26%	+8.10%

KNOW vs. CAOS - Expense Ratio Comparison

KNOW has a 1.10% expense ratio, which is higher than CAOS's 0.63% expense ratio.

Dividends

KNOW vs. CAOS - Dividend Comparison

KNOW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.36%, while CAOS has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
CAOS Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
KNOW Fundamentals First ETF	1.36%	1.53%	1.35%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both KNOW and CAOS in my portfolio?

KNOW and CAOS have a correlation of -0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, KNOW or CAOS?

KNOW has higher volatility (1.96%) compared to CAOS (0.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KNOW dropped -15.99% vs CAOS's -3.60%.

Which ETF is better, KNOW or CAOS?

On 1-year performance, KNOW leads with 18.95% vs 1.88% for CAOS. On fees, CAOS is cheaper at 0.63% per year. On volatility, CAOS has been the lower-risk option at 0.26%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, KNOW or CAOS?

Over the 1-year period, KNOW has performed better with a 18.95% return vs 1.88%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, KNOW or CAOS?

CAOS is cheaper with a 0.63% expense ratio, compared with 1.10% for KNOW.

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

KNOW has the higher dividend yield at 1.36%, compared with 0.00% for CAOS.

What is the main difference between KNOW and CAOS?

KNOW is categorized as Diversified Portfolio, while CAOS is Options Trading. They also come from different issuers: Mason Capital Partners and Alpha Architect. Their fees differ too: 1.10% for KNOW and 0.63% for CAOS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

KNOW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.98 vs 1.24), 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.