QMID vs. CAOS

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

QMID (WisdomTree U.S. MidCap Quality Growth Fund) and CAOS (Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QMID is a Quality Factor fund tracking the WisdomTree U.S. MidCap Quality Growth Index, while CAOS is a Options Trading fund actively managed by Alpha Architect. QMID is passively managed, while CAOS is actively managed. Over the past year, QMID returned 10.41% vs 1.73% for CAOS. Their -0.21 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. QMID charges 0.38%/yr vs 0.63%/yr for CAOS.

Performance

QMID vs. CAOS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in WisdomTree U.S. MidCap Quality Growth Fund (QMID) 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, QMID achieves a 5.39% return, which is significantly higher than CAOS's 0.76% return.

QMID

• 1D: -0.40%
• 1M: 0.96%
• 6M: 4.68%
• YTD: 5.39%
• 1Y: 10.41%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 7.76%

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%

*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)
CAOS Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF	$6.81M	$5.39M	$5.09M
QMID WisdomTree U.S. MidCap Quality Growth Fund	$4.39K	$13.06K	$31.63K

QMID vs. CAOS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
QMID WisdomTree U.S. MidCap Quality Growth Fund	5.39%	5.02%	9.01%
CAOS Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF	0.76%	2.55%	5.11%

Correlation

The correlation between QMID and CAOS is -0.28, 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.	-0.28
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 25, 2024	-0.21

Return for Risk

QMID vs. CAOS — Risk / Return Rank

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

QMID

QMID Risk / Return Rank: 26
QMID Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
QMID Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
QMID Omega Ratio Rank: 23
QMID Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
QMID Martin Ratio Rank: 31

CAOS

CAOS Risk / Return Rank: 56
CAOS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
CAOS Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
CAOS Omega Ratio Rank: 54
CAOS Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
CAOS Martin Ratio Rank: 48

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.

QMID vs. CAOS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree U.S. MidCap Quality Growth Fund (QMID) 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.

	QMID	CAOS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.58	1.19	-0.61
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.95	1.89	-0.94
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.24	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.82	2.47	-1.65
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.77	5.45	-2.68

QMID vs. CAOS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QMID Sharpe Ratio is 0.58, which is lower than the CAOS Sharpe Ratio of 1.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QMID 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

QMID vs. CAOS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QMID drawdown since its inception was -24.42%, which is greater than CAOS's maximum drawdown of -3.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QMID and CAOS.

Drawdown Indicators

	QMID	CAOS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.42%	-3.89%	-20.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.67%	-0.76%	-9.91%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-3.60%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.34%	-1.13%	-0.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.22%	-0.92%	-4.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.15%	0.34%	+2.81%

Volatility

QMID vs. CAOS - Volatility Comparison

WisdomTree U.S. MidCap Quality Growth Fund (QMID) has a higher volatility of 3.78% compared to Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF (CAOS) at 0.51%. This indicates that QMID'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

	QMID	CAOS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.78%	0.51%	+3.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.87%	1.07%	+9.80%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.17%	1.57%	+13.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.23%	4.18%	+14.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.23%	4.18%	+14.05%

QMID vs. CAOS - Expense Ratio Comparison

QMID has a 0.38% expense ratio, which is lower than CAOS's 0.63% expense ratio.

Dividends

QMID vs. CAOS - Dividend Comparison

QMID's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.49%, while CAOS has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
CAOS Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QMID WisdomTree U.S. MidCap Quality Growth Fund	0.49%	0.51%	1.16%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QMID and CAOS in my portfolio?

QMID and CAOS have a correlation of -0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QMID or CAOS?

QMID has higher volatility (3.78%) compared to CAOS (0.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QMID dropped -24.42% vs CAOS's -3.89%.

Which ETF is better, QMID or CAOS?

On 1-year performance, QMID leads with 10.41% vs 1.73% for CAOS. On fees, QMID is cheaper at 0.38% 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.

Which ETF has performed better, QMID or CAOS?

Over the 1-year period, QMID has performed better with a 10.41% return vs 1.73%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QMID or CAOS?

QMID is cheaper with a 0.38% expense ratio, compared with 0.63% for CAOS.

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

QMID has the higher dividend yield at 0.49%, compared with 0.00% for CAOS.

What is the main difference between QMID and CAOS?

QMID is categorized as Quality Factor, while CAOS is Options Trading. They also come from different issuers: WisdomTree and Alpha Architect. Their fees differ too: 0.38% for QMID and 0.63% for CAOS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CAOS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.19 vs 0.58), 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.