SMRI vs. CAOS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SMRI (Bushido Capital US Equity ETF) and CAOS (Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SMRI is a Large Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Bushido, while CAOS is a Options Trading fund actively managed by Alpha Architect. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, SMRI returned 35.67% vs 1.88% for CAOS. At a correlation of -0.11, they often move in opposite directions. SMRI charges 0.71%/yr vs 0.63%/yr for CAOS.

Performance

SMRI vs. CAOS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Bushido Capital US Equity ETF (SMRI) 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, SMRI achieves a 18.58% return, which is significantly higher than CAOS's 0.82% return.

SMRI

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: 11.41%
• YTD: 18.58%
• 6M: 18.82%
• 1Y: 35.67%
• 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)

SMRI vs. CAOS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
SMRI Bushido Capital US Equity ETF	18.58%	17.41%	19.16%	5.11%
CAOS Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF	0.82%	2.55%	5.33%	1.51%

Correlation

The correlation between SMRI 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 Sep 15, 2023	-0.11

The correlation between SMRI and CAOS shifts across timeframes, from -0.25 (1 year) to -0.11 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SMRI vs. CAOS — Risk / Return Rank

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

SMRI

SMRI Risk / Return Rank: 80
SMRI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
SMRI Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
SMRI Omega Ratio Rank: 74
SMRI Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
SMRI Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

SMRI vs. CAOS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Bushido Capital US Equity ETF (SMRI) 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.

	SMRI	CAOS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.46	1.24	+1.22
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.53	1.98	+1.55
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.26	+0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.27	2.49	+2.78
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.62	6.22	+10.40
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SMRI vs. CAOS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SMRI Sharpe Ratio is 2.46, which is higher than the CAOS Sharpe Ratio of 1.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SMRI 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

	SMRI	CAOS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.46	1.24	+1.22
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.44	1.21	+0.23

Drawdowns

SMRI vs. CAOS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMRI drawdown since its inception was -18.45%, which is greater than CAOS's maximum drawdown of -3.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMRI and CAOS.

Drawdown Indicators

	SMRI	CAOS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.45%	-3.60%	-14.85%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.80%	-0.76%	-6.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-3.60%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.17%	-1.07%	-0.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.71%	-0.90%	-1.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.15%	0.30%	+1.85%

Volatility

SMRI vs. CAOS - Volatility Comparison

Bushido Capital US Equity ETF (SMRI) has a higher volatility of 5.42% compared to Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF (CAOS) at 0.26%. This indicates that SMRI'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

	SMRI	CAOS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.42%	0.26%	+5.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.94%	1.03%	+9.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.63%	1.52%	+13.11%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.84%	4.26%	+11.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.84%	4.26%	+11.58%

SMRI vs. CAOS - Expense Ratio Comparison

SMRI has a 0.71% expense ratio, which is higher than CAOS's 0.63% expense ratio.

Dividends

SMRI vs. CAOS - Dividend Comparison

SMRI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.95%, while CAOS has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
CAOS Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SMRI Bushido Capital US Equity ETF	0.95%	1.32%	0.98%	0.45%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SMRI and CAOS in my portfolio?

SMRI 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, SMRI or CAOS?

SMRI has higher volatility (5.42%) compared to CAOS (0.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SMRI dropped -18.45% vs CAOS's -3.60%.

Which ETF is better, SMRI or CAOS?

On 1-year performance, SMRI leads with 35.67% 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, SMRI or CAOS?

Over the 1-year period, SMRI has performed better with a 35.67% return vs 1.88%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SMRI or CAOS?

CAOS is cheaper with a 0.63% expense ratio, compared with 0.71% for SMRI.

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

SMRI has the higher dividend yield at 0.95%, compared with 0.00% for CAOS.

What is the main difference between SMRI and CAOS?

SMRI is categorized as Large Cap Value Equities, while CAOS is Options Trading. They also come from different issuers: Bushido and Alpha Architect. Their fees differ too: 0.71% for SMRI and 0.63% for CAOS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMRI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.46 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.