SCDV vs. CAOS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SCDV (Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Dividend ETF) and CAOS (Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SCDV is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Bahl & Gaynor, while CAOS is a Options Trading fund actively managed by Alpha Architect. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, SCDV returned 14.53% vs 1.88% for CAOS. At a correlation of -0.30, they often move in opposite directions. SCDV charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.63%/yr for CAOS.

Performance

SCDV vs. CAOS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Dividend ETF (SCDV) 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, SCDV achieves a 10.50% return, which is significantly higher than CAOS's 0.82% return.

SCDV

• 1D: 0.31%
• 1M: 0.18%
• YTD: 10.50%
• 6M: 10.22%
• 1Y: 14.53%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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)

SCDV vs. CAOS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
SCDV Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Dividend ETF	10.50%	3.09%	-6.38%
CAOS Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF	0.82%	2.55%	0.37%

Correlation

The correlation between SCDV and CAOS is -0.25, 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	-0.25
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 13, 2024	-0.30

Return for Risk

SCDV vs. CAOS — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCDV

SCDV Risk / Return Rank: 27
SCDV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
SCDV Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
SCDV Omega Ratio Rank: 26
SCDV Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
SCDV Martin Ratio Rank: 28

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.

SCDV vs. CAOS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Dividend ETF (SCDV) 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.

	SCDV	CAOS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.94	1.24	-0.30
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.46	1.98	-0.52
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.26	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.28	2.49	-1.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.92	6.22	-2.30
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SCDV vs. CAOS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCDV Sharpe Ratio is 0.94, which is comparable to the CAOS Sharpe Ratio of 1.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCDV 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

	SCDV	CAOS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.94	1.24	-0.30
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.24	1.21	-0.97

Drawdowns

SCDV vs. CAOS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCDV drawdown since its inception was -22.84%, which is greater than CAOS's maximum drawdown of -3.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCDV and CAOS.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCDV	CAOS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.84%	-3.60%	-19.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.38%	-0.76%	-10.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-3.60%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.88%	-1.07%	-2.81%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.55%	-0.90%	-4.65%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.71%	0.30%	+3.41%

Volatility

SCDV vs. CAOS - Volatility Comparison

Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Dividend ETF (SCDV) has a higher volatility of 5.16% compared to Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF (CAOS) at 0.26%. This indicates that SCDV'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

	SCDV	CAOS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.16%	0.26%	+4.90%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.71%	1.03%	+10.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.59%	1.52%	+14.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.19%	4.26%	+14.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.19%	4.26%	+14.93%

SCDV vs. CAOS - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCDV has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than CAOS's 0.63% expense ratio.

Dividends

SCDV vs. CAOS - Dividend Comparison

SCDV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.52%, while CAOS has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
CAOS Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SCDV Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Dividend ETF	0.52%	0.61%	0.05%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCDV and CAOS in my portfolio?

SCDV and CAOS have a correlation of -0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SCDV or CAOS?

SCDV has higher volatility (5.16%) compared to CAOS (0.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCDV dropped -22.84% vs CAOS's -3.60%.

Which ETF is better, SCDV or CAOS?

On 1-year performance, SCDV leads with 14.53% vs 1.88% for CAOS. On fees, CAOS is cheaper at 0.63% 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, SCDV or CAOS?

Over the 1-year period, SCDV has performed better with a 14.53% return vs 1.88%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCDV or CAOS?

CAOS is cheaper with a 0.63% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for SCDV.

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

SCDV has the higher dividend yield at 0.52%, compared with 0.00% for CAOS.

What is the main difference between SCDV and CAOS?

SCDV is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while CAOS is Options Trading. They also come from different issuers: Bahl & Gaynor and Alpha Architect. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for SCDV and 0.63% for CAOS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CAOS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.24 vs 0.94), 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.