KOOL vs. CAOS

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

KOOL (North Shore Equity Rotation ETF) and CAOS (Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - KOOL is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by North Shore, while CAOS is a Options Trading fund actively managed by Alpha Architect. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, KOOL returned 28.04% vs 1.64% for CAOS. At a correlation of -0.24, they often move in opposite directions. KOOL charges 0.94%/yr vs 0.63%/yr for CAOS.

Performance

KOOL vs. CAOS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in North Shore Equity Rotation ETF (KOOL) 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, KOOL achieves a 13.81% return, which is significantly higher than CAOS's 0.75% return.

KOOL

• 1D: 0.32%
• 1M: -0.72%
• YTD: 13.81%
• 6M: 13.28%
• 1Y: 28.04%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

CAOS

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: -0.08%
• YTD: 0.75%
• 6M: 0.67%
• 1Y: 1.64%
• 3Y*: 3.95%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

KOOL vs. CAOS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
KOOL North Shore Equity Rotation ETF	13.81%	16.05%	10.83%
CAOS Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF	0.75%	2.55%	3.89%

Correlation

The correlation between KOOL and CAOS is -0.31, 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	-0.31
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 2, 2024	-0.24

Return for Risk

KOOL vs. CAOS — Risk / Return Rank

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

KOOL

KOOL Risk / Return Rank: 69
KOOL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
KOOL Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
KOOL Omega Ratio Rank: 62
KOOL Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
KOOL Martin Ratio Rank: 79

CAOS

CAOS Risk / Return Rank: 36
CAOS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
CAOS Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
CAOS Omega Ratio Rank: 35
CAOS Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
CAOS Martin Ratio Rank: 36

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.

KOOL vs. CAOS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for North Shore Equity Rotation ETF (KOOL) 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.

	KOOL	CAOS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.07	1.10	+0.97
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.80	1.75	+1.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.23	+0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.92	2.17	+1.75
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.88	5.23	+9.64

KOOL vs. CAOS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KOOL Sharpe Ratio is 2.07, which is higher than the CAOS Sharpe Ratio of 1.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KOOL 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

KOOL vs. CAOS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KOOL drawdown since its inception was -20.46%, which is greater than CAOS's maximum drawdown of -3.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KOOL and CAOS.

Drawdown Indicators

	KOOL	CAOS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.46%	-3.89%	-16.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.18%	-0.76%	-6.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-3.60%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.20%	-1.14%	-1.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.52%	-0.92%	-1.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.89%	0.32%	+1.57%

Volatility

KOOL vs. CAOS - Volatility Comparison

North Shore Equity Rotation ETF (KOOL) has a higher volatility of 5.11% compared to Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF (CAOS) at 0.32%. This indicates that KOOL'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

	KOOL	CAOS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.11%	0.32%	+4.79%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.06%	1.05%	+10.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.62%	1.50%	+12.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.06%	4.23%	+12.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.06%	4.23%	+12.83%

KOOL vs. CAOS - Expense Ratio Comparison

KOOL has a 0.94% expense ratio, which is higher than CAOS's 0.63% expense ratio.

Dividends

KOOL vs. CAOS - Dividend Comparison

KOOL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.35%, while CAOS has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
CAOS Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
KOOL North Shore Equity Rotation ETF	0.35%	0.37%	0.56%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both KOOL and CAOS in my portfolio?

KOOL and CAOS have a correlation of -0.31, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, KOOL or CAOS?

KOOL has higher volatility (5.11%) compared to CAOS (0.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KOOL dropped -20.46% vs CAOS's -3.89%.

Which ETF is better, KOOL or CAOS?

On 1-year performance, KOOL leads with 28.04% vs 1.64% for CAOS. On fees, CAOS is cheaper at 0.63% per year. On volatility, CAOS has been the lower-risk option at 0.32%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, KOOL or CAOS?

Over the 1-year period, KOOL has performed better with a 28.04% return vs 1.64%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, KOOL or CAOS?

CAOS is cheaper with a 0.63% expense ratio, compared with 0.94% for KOOL.

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

KOOL has the higher dividend yield at 0.35%, compared with 0.00% for CAOS.

What is the main difference between KOOL and CAOS?

KOOL is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while CAOS is Options Trading. They also come from different issuers: North Shore and Alpha Architect. Their fees differ too: 0.94% for KOOL and 0.63% for CAOS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

KOOL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.07 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.