QMOM vs. CAOS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QMOM (Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Momentum ETF) and CAOS (Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QMOM is a Momentum fund actively managed by Alpha Architect, while CAOS is a Options Trading fund actively managed by Alpha Architect. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, QMOM returned 23.22%/yr vs 4.26%/yr for CAOS. At a 0.05 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. QMOM charges 0.28%/yr vs 0.63%/yr for CAOS.

Performance

QMOM vs. CAOS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Momentum ETF (QMOM) 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, QMOM achieves a 24.65% return, which is significantly higher than CAOS's 0.82% return.

QMOM

• 1D: -0.37%
• 1M: 6.10%
• YTD: 24.65%
• 6M: 26.71%
• 1Y: 31.51%
• 3Y*: 23.22%
• 5Y*: 11.55%
• 10Y*: 13.82%

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)

QMOM vs. CAOS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
QMOM Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Momentum ETF	24.65%	2.36%	30.43%	6.47%
CAOS Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF	0.82%	2.55%	5.33%	7.97%

Correlation

The correlation between QMOM 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	-0.04
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 7, 2023	0.05

The correlation between QMOM and CAOS shifts across timeframes, from -0.24 (1 year) to 0.05 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

QMOM vs. CAOS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QMOM	CAOS
Industrials	37.5%	8.5%
Technology	23.9%	33.1%
Basic Materials	9.0%	1.9%
Healthcare	8.9%	9.6%
Consumer Cyclical	7.4%	10.0%
Energy	5.5%	4.1%
Communication Services	4.2%	10.4%
Utilities	2.0%	2.6%
Financial Services	1.9%	12.4%
Consumer Defensive	1.6%	5.4%
Real Estate	-	2.0%

Return for Risk

QMOM vs. CAOS — Risk / Return Rank

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

QMOM

QMOM Risk / Return Rank: 42
QMOM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
QMOM Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
QMOM Omega Ratio Rank: 37
QMOM Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
QMOM Martin Ratio Rank: 53

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.

QMOM vs. CAOS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Momentum ETF (QMOM) 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.

	QMOM	CAOS	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.36	1.24	+0.12
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.91	1.98	-0.07
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.26	-0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.50	2.49	+0.01
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.15	6.22	+2.92
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QMOM vs. CAOS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QMOM Sharpe Ratio is 1.36, which is comparable to the CAOS Sharpe Ratio of 1.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QMOM 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

	QMOM	CAOS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.36	1.24	+0.12
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.52	1.21	-0.69

Drawdowns

QMOM vs. CAOS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QMOM drawdown since its inception was -39.13%, which is greater than CAOS's maximum drawdown of -3.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QMOM and CAOS.

Drawdown Indicators

	QMOM	CAOS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.13%	-3.60%	-35.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.65%	-0.76%	-11.89%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.46%	-3.60%	-22.86%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.82%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.13%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.37%	-1.07%	+0.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.92%	-0.90%	-12.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.45%	0.30%	+3.15%

Volatility

QMOM vs. CAOS - Volatility Comparison

Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Momentum ETF (QMOM) has a higher volatility of 8.32% compared to Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF (CAOS) at 0.26%. This indicates that QMOM'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

	QMOM	CAOS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.32%	0.26%	+8.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.78%	1.03%	+18.75%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.30%	1.52%	+21.78%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.19%	4.26%	+19.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.49%	4.26%	+22.23%

QMOM vs. CAOS - Expense Ratio Comparison

QMOM has a 0.28% expense ratio, which is lower than CAOS's 0.63% expense ratio.

Dividends

QMOM vs. CAOS - Dividend Comparison

QMOM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.44%, while CAOS has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
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%
QMOM Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Momentum ETF	0.44%	0.54%	1.40%	0.87%	1.59%	0.12%	0.08%	0.01%	0.05%	0.13%	0.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QMOM and CAOS in my portfolio?

QMOM 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, QMOM or CAOS?

QMOM has higher volatility (8.32%) compared to CAOS (0.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QMOM dropped -39.13% vs CAOS's -3.60%.

Which ETF is better, QMOM or CAOS?

On 3-year performance, QMOM leads with 23.22% vs 4.26% for CAOS. On fees, QMOM is cheaper at 0.28% 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, QMOM or CAOS?

Over the 3-year period, QMOM has performed better with a 23.22% return vs 4.26%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QMOM or CAOS?

QMOM is cheaper with a 0.28% expense ratio, compared with 0.63% for CAOS.

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

QMOM has the higher dividend yield at 0.44%, compared with 0.00% for CAOS.

What is the main difference between QMOM and CAOS?

QMOM is categorized as Momentum, while CAOS is Options Trading. Their fees differ too: 0.28% for QMOM and 0.63% for CAOS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QMOM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.36 vs 1.24), 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.