QDEF vs. CAOS
QDEF (FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund) and CAOS (Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QDEF is a Quality Factor fund tracking the Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive Index, while CAOS is a Options Trading fund actively managed by Alpha Architect. QDEF is passively managed, while CAOS is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, QDEF returned 17.66%/yr vs 3.48%/yr for CAOS. Their 0.09 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. QDEF charges 0.37%/yr vs 0.63%/yr for CAOS.
Performance
QDEF vs. CAOS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, QDEF achieves a 10.48% return, which is significantly higher than CAOS's 0.76% return.
QDEF
- 1D
- -0.05%
- 1M
- 1.68%
- 6M
- 8.64%
- YTD
- 10.48%
- 1Y
- 20.97%
- 3Y*
- 17.66%
- 5Y*
- 12.34%
- 10Y*
- 12.14%
- ALL TIME*
- 12.72%
CAOS
- 1D
- -0.06%
- 1M
- -0.01%
- 6M
- 0.16%
- YTD
- 0.76%
- 1Y
- 1.73%
- 3Y*
- 3.48%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 4.70%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $6.81M | $5.39M | $5.09M | |
| $546.87K | $522.47K | $732.31K |
QDEF vs. CAOS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
QDEF FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund | 10.48% | 17.43% | 21.19% | 15.17% |
CAOS Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF | 0.76% | 2.55% | 5.33% | 7.43% |
Correlation
The correlation between QDEF and CAOS is -0.31, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | -0.31 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | -0.05 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 6, 2023 | 0.09 |
The correlation between QDEF and CAOS shifts across timeframes, from -0.31 (1 year) to 0.09 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
QDEF vs. CAOS — Risk / Return Rank
QDEF
CAOS
QDEF vs. CAOS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF) 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.
| QDEF | CAOS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.88 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.05 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.38 | 1.24 | +0.14 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.93 | 2.47 | +0.46 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.20 | 5.45 | +6.75 |
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Drawdowns
QDEF vs. CAOS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum QDEF drawdown since its inception was -35.74%, which is greater than CAOS's maximum drawdown of -3.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QDEF and CAOS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| QDEF | CAOS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -35.74% | -3.89% | -31.85% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -6.95% | -0.76% | -6.19% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -14.43% | -3.60% | -10.83% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -21.37% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.74% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.58% | -1.13% | +0.55% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.27% | -0.92% | -2.35% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.67% | 0.34% | +1.33% |
Volatility
QDEF vs. CAOS - Volatility Comparison
FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF) has a higher volatility of 2.29% compared to Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF (CAOS) at 0.51%. This indicates that QDEF'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.
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Volatility by Period
| QDEF | CAOS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.29% | 0.51% | +1.78% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 7.47% | 1.07% | +6.40% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 9.85% | 1.57% | +8.28% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 13.77% | 4.18% | +9.59% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.14% | 4.18% | +11.96% |
QDEF vs. CAOS - Expense Ratio Comparison
QDEF has a 0.37% expense ratio, which is lower than CAOS's 0.63% expense ratio.
Dividends
QDEF vs. CAOS - Dividend Comparison
QDEF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.58%, 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% |
QDEF FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund | 1.58% | 1.74% | 1.85% | 2.21% | 2.42% | 1.84% | 2.50% | 3.17% | 7.10% | 2.70% | 2.90% | 3.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
QDEF 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.
QDEF has higher volatility (2.29%) compared to CAOS (0.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QDEF dropped -35.74% vs CAOS's -3.89%.
On 3-year performance, QDEF leads with 17.66% vs 3.48% for CAOS. On fees, QDEF is cheaper at 0.37% per year. On volatility, CAOS has been the lower-risk option at 0.51%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, QDEF has performed better with a 17.66% return vs 3.48%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
QDEF is cheaper with a 0.37% expense ratio, compared with 0.63% for CAOS.
QDEF has the higher dividend yield at 1.58%, compared with 0.00% for CAOS.
QDEF is categorized as Quality Factor, while CAOS is Options Trading. They also come from different issuers: FlexShares and Alpha Architect. Their fees differ too: 0.37% for QDEF and 0.63% for CAOS.
QDEF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.07 vs 1.19), 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.
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