PSCU vs. CAOS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PSCU (Invesco S&P SmallCap Utilities & Communication Services ETF) and CAOS (Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PSCU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the S&P SmallCap 600 Capped Utilities & Communication Services Index, while CAOS is a Options Trading fund actively managed by Alpha Architect. PSCU is passively managed, while CAOS is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, PSCU returned 6.90%/yr vs 4.26%/yr for CAOS. At a correlation of -0.02, they often move in opposite directions. PSCU charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.63%/yr for CAOS.

Performance

PSCU vs. CAOS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco S&P SmallCap Utilities & Communication Services ETF (PSCU) 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, PSCU achieves a 12.29% return, which is significantly higher than CAOS's 0.82% return.

PSCU

• 1D: -2.32%
• 1M: -2.43%
• YTD: 12.29%
• 6M: 10.22%
• 1Y: 18.43%
• 3Y*: 6.90%
• 5Y*: 0.96%
• 10Y*: 5.81%

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)

PSCU vs. CAOS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
PSCU Invesco S&P SmallCap Utilities & Communication Services ETF	12.29%	-1.93%	10.68%	-2.16%
CAOS Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF	0.82%	2.55%	5.33%	7.97%

Correlation

The correlation between PSCU and CAOS is -0.30, 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	-0.30
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.10
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 7, 2023	-0.02

Over the past year, the inverse relationship between PSCU and CAOS has strengthened: their correlation has moved from -0.02 to -0.30, meaning they now move in opposite directions more often than their long-term average.

PSCU vs. CAOS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PSCU	CAOS
Communication Services	56.7%	10.4%
Utilities	31.9%	2.6%
Consumer Cyclical	4.1%	10.0%
Industrials	3.6%	8.5%
Real Estate	2.0%	2.0%
Technology	1.6%	33.1%
Financial Services	0.0%	12.4%
Basic Materials	-	1.9%
Consumer Defensive	-	5.4%
Energy	-	4.1%
Healthcare	-	9.6%

Return for Risk

PSCU vs. CAOS — Risk / Return Rank

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

PSCU

PSCU Risk / Return Rank: 35
PSCU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
PSCU Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
PSCU Omega Ratio Rank: 29
PSCU Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
PSCU Martin Ratio Rank: 37

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.

PSCU vs. CAOS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco S&P SmallCap Utilities & Communication Services ETF (PSCU) 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.

	PSCU	CAOS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.17	1.24	-0.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.72	1.98	-0.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.26	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.22	2.49	-0.27
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.64	6.22	-0.58
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PSCU vs. CAOS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSCU Sharpe Ratio is 1.17, which is comparable to the CAOS Sharpe Ratio of 1.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSCU 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

	PSCU	CAOS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.17	1.24	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.05	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.30	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.48	1.21	-0.73

Drawdowns

PSCU vs. CAOS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSCU drawdown since its inception was -29.97%, which is greater than CAOS's maximum drawdown of -3.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSCU and CAOS.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSCU	CAOS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.97%	-3.60%	-26.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.32%	-0.76%	-7.56%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.55%	-3.60%	-19.95%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.97%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-29.97%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.46%	-1.07%	-2.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.67%	-0.90%	-6.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.28%	0.30%	+2.98%

Volatility

PSCU vs. CAOS - Volatility Comparison

Invesco S&P SmallCap Utilities & Communication Services ETF (PSCU) has a higher volatility of 5.04% compared to Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF (CAOS) at 0.26%. This indicates that PSCU'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

	PSCU	CAOS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.04%	0.26%	+4.78%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.07%	1.03%	+10.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.81%	1.52%	+14.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.42%	4.26%	+14.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.47%	4.26%	+15.21%

PSCU vs. CAOS - Expense Ratio Comparison

PSCU has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is lower than CAOS's 0.63% expense ratio.

Dividends

PSCU vs. CAOS - Dividend Comparison

PSCU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.99%, while CAOS has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CAOS Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PSCU Invesco S&P SmallCap Utilities & Communication Services ETF	0.99%	1.10%	0.98%	1.60%	1.71%	2.69%	1.20%	2.47%	2.35%	1.84%	6.93%	2.94%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PSCU and CAOS in my portfolio?

PSCU and CAOS have a correlation of -0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PSCU or CAOS?

PSCU has higher volatility (5.04%) compared to CAOS (0.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSCU dropped -29.97% vs CAOS's -3.60%.

Which ETF is better, PSCU or CAOS?

On 3-year performance, PSCU leads with 6.90% vs 4.26% for CAOS. On fees, PSCU is cheaper at 0.29% 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, PSCU or CAOS?

Over the 3-year period, PSCU has performed better with a 6.90% return vs 4.26%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PSCU or CAOS?

PSCU is cheaper with a 0.29% expense ratio, compared with 0.63% for CAOS.

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

PSCU has the higher dividend yield at 0.99%, compared with 0.00% for CAOS.

What is the main difference between PSCU and CAOS?

PSCU is categorized as Utilities Equities, while CAOS is Options Trading. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and Alpha Architect. Their fees differ too: 0.29% for PSCU and 0.63% for CAOS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CAOS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.24 vs 1.17), 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.