KOOL vs. EQL

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

KOOL (North Shore Equity Rotation ETF) and EQL (ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. KOOL is actively managed, while EQL is passively managed. Over the past year, KOOL returned 20.12% vs 18.34% for EQL. Their 0.74 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. KOOL charges 0.94%/yr vs 0.27%/yr for EQL.

Performance

KOOL vs. EQL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in North Shore Equity Rotation ETF (KOOL) and ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF (EQL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, KOOL achieves a 12.21% return, which is significantly higher than EQL's 10.71% return.

KOOL

• 1D: 0.35%
• 1M: 0.22%
• 6M: 8.13%
• YTD: 12.21%
• 1Y: 20.12%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 17.08%

EQL

• 1D: 0.57%
• 1M: 0.31%
• 6M: 6.82%
• YTD: 10.71%
• 1Y: 18.34%
• 3Y*: 14.59%
• 5Y*: 10.63%
• 10Y*: 12.39%
• ALL TIME*: 13.49%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
EQL ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF	$3.33M	$2.84M	$2.70M
KOOL North Shore Equity Rotation ETF	$36.51K	$33.43K	$75.88K

KOOL vs. EQL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
KOOL North Shore Equity Rotation ETF	12.21%	16.05%	10.83%
EQL ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF	10.71%	13.09%	8.07%

Correlation

The correlation between KOOL and EQL is 0.67, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.67
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 2, 2024	0.74

The correlation between KOOL and EQL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.67 to 0.74 - a consistent structural relationship.

KOOL vs. EQL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	KOOL	EQL
Technology	25.1%	10.2%
Industrials	14.4%	9.3%
Energy	14.2%	8.7%
Healthcare	8.8%	9.4%
Communication Services	8.0%	8.9%
Financial Services	7.3%	9.1%
Basic Materials	6.6%	8.0%
Consumer Cyclical	5.3%	9.6%
Utilities	4.2%	9.4%
Consumer Defensive	3.7%	8.8%
Real Estate	2.5%	8.7%

Return for Risk

KOOL vs. EQL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

KOOL

KOOL Risk / Return Rank: 59
KOOL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
KOOL Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
KOOL Omega Ratio Rank: 51
KOOL Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
KOOL Martin Ratio Rank: 68

EQL

EQL Risk / Return Rank: 79
EQL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
EQL Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
EQL Omega Ratio Rank: 78
EQL Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
EQL Martin Ratio Rank: 82

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

KOOL vs. EQL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for North Shore Equity Rotation ETF (KOOL) and ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF (EQL). 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	EQL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.31	1.82	-0.51
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.86	2.54	-0.69
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.33	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.59	2.78	-0.19
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.28	10.89	-2.61

KOOL vs. EQL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KOOL Sharpe Ratio is 1.31, which is comparable to the EQL Sharpe Ratio of 1.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KOOL and EQL, 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. EQL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KOOL drawdown since its inception was -20.46%, smaller than the maximum EQL drawdown of -35.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KOOL and EQL.

Drawdown Indicators

	KOOL	EQL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.46%	-35.65%	+15.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.18%	-6.19%	-0.99%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-15.07%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-19.24%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.65%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.57%	-0.27%	-3.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.57%	-3.23%	+0.66%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.24%	1.58%	+0.66%

Volatility

KOOL vs. EQL - Volatility Comparison

North Shore Equity Rotation ETF (KOOL) has a higher volatility of 4.35% compared to ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF (EQL) at 2.23%. This indicates that KOOL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EQL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	KOOL	EQL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.35%	2.23%	+2.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.58%	7.03%	+4.55%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.16%	9.50%	+4.66%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.94%	14.51%	+2.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.94%	16.49%	+0.45%

KOOL vs. EQL - Expense Ratio Comparison

KOOL has a 0.94% expense ratio, which is higher than EQL's 0.27% expense ratio.

Dividends

KOOL vs. EQL - Dividend Comparison

KOOL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.44%, less than EQL's 1.35% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EQL ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF	1.35%	1.73%	1.78%	1.96%	2.14%	1.69%	2.29%	1.95%	2.39%	1.97%	2.89%	2.07%
KOOL North Shore Equity Rotation ETF	0.44%	0.37%	0.56%	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 KOOL and EQL in my portfolio?

KOOL and EQL have a correlation of 0.67, 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 EQL?

KOOL has higher volatility (4.35%) compared to EQL (2.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KOOL dropped -20.46% vs EQL's -35.65%.

Which ETF is better, KOOL or EQL?

On 1-year performance, KOOL leads with 20.12% vs 18.34% for EQL. On fees, EQL is cheaper at 0.27% per year. On volatility, EQL has been the lower-risk option at 2.23%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, KOOL or EQL?

Over the 1-year period, KOOL has performed better with a 20.12% return vs 18.34%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, KOOL or EQL?

EQL is cheaper with a 0.27% expense ratio, compared with 0.94% for KOOL.

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

EQL has the higher dividend yield at 1.35%, compared with 0.44% for KOOL.

What is the main difference between KOOL and EQL?

They also come from different issuers: Split Rock and SS&C. Their fees differ too: 0.94% for KOOL and 0.27% for EQL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EQL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.82 vs 1.31), 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.