QPX vs. CWS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QPX (AdvisorShares Q Dynamic Growth ETF) and CWS (AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds from AdvisorShares. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, QPX returned 13.04%/yr vs 8.16%/yr for CWS. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. QPX charges 1.46%/yr vs 0.77%/yr for CWS.

Performance

QPX vs. CWS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AdvisorShares Q Dynamic Growth ETF (QPX) and AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF (CWS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QPX achieves a 10.87% return, which is significantly higher than CWS's -1.80% return.

QPX

• 1D: -0.66%
• 1M: 7.22%
• YTD: 10.87%
• 6M: 11.56%
• 1Y: 32.39%
• 3Y*: 21.61%
• 5Y*: 13.04%
• 10Y*: —

CWS

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: -0.37%
• YTD: -1.80%
• 6M: -1.31%
• 1Y: -0.99%
• 3Y*: 10.25%
• 5Y*: 8.16%
• 10Y*: —

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

QPX vs. CWS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
QPX AdvisorShares Q Dynamic Growth ETF	10.87%	24.12%	17.28%	44.63%	-30.90%	22.29%	0.38%
CWS AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF	-1.80%	6.43%	9.82%	25.06%	-10.42%	22.20%	-0.38%

Correlation

The correlation between QPX and CWS is 0.57, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.57
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.64
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 30, 2020	0.69

The correlation between QPX and CWS shifts across timeframes, from 0.57 (1 year) to 0.69 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

QPX vs. CWS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QPX	CWS
Technology	49.8%	18.5%
Consumer Cyclical	25.6%	15.1%
Communication Services	14.9%	-
Real Estate	6.4%	-
Industrials	1.0%	22.4%
Financial Services	0.9%	10.8%
Healthcare	0.6%	25.1%
Energy	0.3%	-
Basic Materials	0.3%	-
Consumer Defensive	0.2%	4.2%
Utilities	0.1%	4.0%

Return for Risk

QPX vs. CWS — Risk / Return Rank

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

QPX

QPX Risk / Return Rank: 65
QPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
QPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
QPX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
QPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
QPX Martin Ratio Rank: 62

CWS

CWS Risk / Return Rank: 8
CWS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
CWS Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
CWS Omega Ratio Rank: 7
CWS Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
CWS Martin Ratio Rank: 8

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.

QPX vs. CWS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AdvisorShares Q Dynamic Growth ETF (QPX) and AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF (CWS). 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.

	QPX	CWS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.33	-0.08	+2.41
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.11	-0.01	+3.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.00	+0.41
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.82	-0.08	+2.90
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.19	-0.22	+11.41
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QPX vs. CWS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QPX Sharpe Ratio is 2.33, which is higher than the CWS Sharpe Ratio of -0.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QPX and CWS, 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

	QPX	CWS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.33	-0.08	+2.41
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66	0.52	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.67	0.67	+0.01

Drawdowns

QPX vs. CWS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QPX drawdown since its inception was -34.74%, roughly equal to the maximum CWS drawdown of -33.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QPX and CWS.

Drawdown Indicators

	QPX	CWS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.74%	-33.82%	-0.92%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.56%	-11.92%	+0.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.89%	-16.56%	-1.33%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.74%	-24.87%	-9.87%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.66%	-6.21%	+5.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.07%	-4.54%	-3.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.90%	4.61%	-1.71%

Volatility

QPX vs. CWS - Volatility Comparison

AdvisorShares Q Dynamic Growth ETF (QPX) has a higher volatility of 4.16% compared to AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF (CWS) at 3.27%. This indicates that QPX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CWS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QPX	CWS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.16%	3.27%	+0.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.01%	10.29%	+0.72%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.97%	13.28%	+0.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.93%	15.66%	+4.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.99%	16.91%	+3.08%

QPX vs. CWS - Expense Ratio Comparison

QPX has a 1.46% expense ratio, which is higher than CWS's 0.77% expense ratio.

Dividends

QPX vs. CWS - Dividend Comparison

QPX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while CWS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.31%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
CWS AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF	0.31%	0.31%	0.59%	0.25%	0.50%	0.16%	0.27%	0.39%	2.07%	0.29%	0.03%
QPX AdvisorShares Q Dynamic Growth ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QPX and CWS in my portfolio?

QPX and CWS have a correlation of 0.57, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QPX or CWS?

QPX has higher volatility (4.16%) compared to CWS (3.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QPX dropped -34.74% vs CWS's -33.82%.

Which ETF is better, QPX or CWS?

On 5-year performance, QPX leads with 13.04% vs 8.16% for CWS. On fees, CWS is cheaper at 0.77% per year. On volatility, CWS has been the lower-risk option at 3.27%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QPX or CWS?

Over the 5-year period, QPX has performed better with a 13.04% return vs 8.16%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QPX or CWS?

CWS is cheaper with a 0.77% expense ratio, compared with 1.46% for QPX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QPX or CWS?

CWS has the higher dividend yield at 0.31%, compared with 0.00% for QPX.

What is the main difference between QPX and CWS?

Their fees differ too: 1.46% for QPX and 0.77% for CWS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QPX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 vs -0.07), 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.