OARK vs. CAOS

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

OARK (YieldMax Innovation Option Income Strategy ETF) and CAOS (Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF) are both Options Trading funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, OARK returned 13.04%/yr vs 3.94%/yr for CAOS. At a 0.01 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. OARK charges 0.99%/yr vs 0.63%/yr for CAOS.

Performance

OARK vs. CAOS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in YieldMax Innovation Option Income Strategy ETF (OARK) 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, OARK achieves a 3.98% return, which is significantly higher than CAOS's 0.71% return.

OARK

• 1D: -1.92%
• 1M: -0.93%
• YTD: 3.98%
• 6M: 0.77%
• 1Y: 16.90%
• 3Y*: 13.04%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

CAOS

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: -0.12%
• YTD: 0.71%
• 6M: 0.61%
• 1Y: 1.62%
• 3Y*: 3.94%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

OARK vs. CAOS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
OARK YieldMax Innovation Option Income Strategy ETF	3.98%	20.37%	7.32%	14.37%
CAOS Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF	0.71%	2.55%	5.33%	7.43%

Correlation

The correlation between OARK and CAOS is -0.24, 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	-0.24
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.08
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 6, 2023	0.01

The correlation between OARK and CAOS shifts across timeframes, from -0.24 (1 year) to 0.01 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

OARK vs. CAOS — Risk / Return Rank

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

OARK

OARK Risk / Return Rank: 18
OARK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
OARK Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
OARK Omega Ratio Rank: 18
OARK Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
OARK Martin Ratio Rank: 17

CAOS

CAOS Risk / Return Rank: 36
CAOS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
CAOS Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
CAOS Omega Ratio Rank: 34
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.

OARK vs. CAOS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for YieldMax Innovation Option Income Strategy ETF (OARK) 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.

	OARK	CAOS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.59	1.08	-0.49
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.97	1.72	-0.75
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.22	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.73	2.15	-1.42
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.70	5.18	-3.48

OARK vs. CAOS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current OARK Sharpe Ratio is 0.59, which is lower than the CAOS Sharpe Ratio of 1.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of OARK 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

OARK vs. CAOS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum OARK drawdown since its inception was -35.48%, which is greater than CAOS's maximum drawdown of -3.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for OARK and CAOS.

Drawdown Indicators

	OARK	CAOS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.48%	-3.89%	-31.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.26%	-0.76%	-22.50%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-35.48%	-3.60%	-31.88%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.62%	-1.18%	-7.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.54%	-0.92%	-9.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.96%	0.32%	+9.64%

Volatility

OARK vs. CAOS - Volatility Comparison

YieldMax Innovation Option Income Strategy ETF (OARK) has a higher volatility of 9.68% compared to Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF (CAOS) at 0.32%. This indicates that OARK'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

	OARK	CAOS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.68%	0.32%	+9.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.07%	1.05%	+20.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.55%	1.50%	+27.05%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	30.95%	4.23%	+26.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	30.95%	4.23%	+26.72%

OARK vs. CAOS - Expense Ratio Comparison

OARK has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is higher than CAOS's 0.63% expense ratio.

Dividends

OARK vs. CAOS - Dividend Comparison

OARK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 63.14%, while CAOS has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
CAOS Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
OARK YieldMax Innovation Option Income Strategy ETF	63.14%	61.86%	47.86%	45.03%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both OARK and CAOS in my portfolio?

OARK and CAOS have a correlation of -0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, OARK or CAOS?

OARK has higher volatility (9.68%) compared to CAOS (0.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, OARK dropped -35.48% vs CAOS's -3.89%.

Which ETF is better, OARK or CAOS?

On 3-year performance, OARK leads with 13.04% vs 3.94% 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, OARK or CAOS?

Over the 3-year period, OARK has performed better with a 13.04% return vs 3.94%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, OARK or CAOS?

CAOS is cheaper with a 0.63% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for OARK.

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

OARK has the higher dividend yield at 63.14%, compared with 0.00% for CAOS.

What is the main difference between OARK and CAOS?

They also come from different issuers: YieldMax and Alpha Architect. Their fees differ too: 0.99% for OARK and 0.63% for CAOS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CAOS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.08 vs 0.59), 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.