RAFE vs. ACEP

Last updated Aug 6, 2026

RAFE (PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF) and ACEP (ARS Core Equity Portfolio ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. RAFE is passively managed, while ACEP is actively managed. Their 0.77 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. RAFE charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for ACEP.

Performance

RAFE vs. ACEP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF (RAFE) and ARS Core Equity Portfolio ETF (ACEP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RAFE achieves a 18.95% return, which is significantly lower than ACEP's 24.65% return.

RAFE

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: 2.97%
• 6M: 15.64%
• YTD: 18.95%
• 1Y: 32.76%
• 3Y*: 19.73%
• 5Y*: 11.72%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 12.97%

ACEP

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 2.51%
• 6M: 15.44%
• YTD: 24.65%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: —

*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)
ACEP ARS Core Equity Portfolio ETF	$36.53K	$36.84K	$48.24K
RAFE PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF	$463.77K	$467.54K	$607.89K

RAFE vs. ACEP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
RAFE PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF	18.95%	5.90%
ACEP ARS Core Equity Portfolio ETF	24.65%	8.00%

Correlation

The correlation between RAFE and ACEP is 0.77, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 21, 2025	0.77

Return for Risk

RAFE vs. ACEP — Risk / Return Rank

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

RAFE

RAFE Risk / Return Rank: 93
RAFE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
RAFE Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
RAFE Omega Ratio Rank: 93
RAFE Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
RAFE Martin Ratio Rank: 92

ACEP

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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.

RAFE vs. ACEP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF (RAFE) and ARS Core Equity Portfolio ETF (ACEP). 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.

	RAFE	ACEP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.89	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.00	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.52	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.41	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.54	—	—

Drawdowns

RAFE vs. ACEP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RAFE drawdown since its inception was -35.74%, which is greater than ACEP's maximum drawdown of -7.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RAFE and ACEP.

Drawdown Indicators

	RAFE	ACEP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.74%	-7.06%	-28.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.46%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.36%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.28%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.03%	-0.44%	+0.41%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.07%	-1.74%	-4.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.87%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	RAFE	ACEP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.28%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.77%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.40%	16.86%	-5.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.06%	16.86%	-1.80%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.26%	16.86%	+2.40%

RAFE vs. ACEP - Expense Ratio Comparison

RAFE has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is lower than ACEP's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

RAFE vs. ACEP - Dividend Comparison

RAFE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.45%, more than ACEP's 0.11% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
ACEP ARS Core Equity Portfolio ETF	0.11%	0.14%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
RAFE PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF	1.45%	1.67%	1.79%	1.81%	2.22%	1.42%	2.36%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RAFE and ACEP in my portfolio?

RAFE and ACEP have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, RAFE or ACEP?

On fees, RAFE is cheaper at 0.30% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, RAFE or ACEP?

RAFE is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for ACEP.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, RAFE or ACEP?

RAFE has the higher dividend yield at 1.45%, compared with 0.11% for ACEP.

What is the main difference between RAFE and ACEP?

They also come from different issuers: PIMCO and ARS Investment Partners. Their fees differ too: 0.30% for RAFE and 0.45% for ACEP.