TBFC vs. AOK

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

TBFC (The Brinsmere Fund - Conservative ETF) and AOK (iShares Core Conservative Allocation ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - TBFC is a Tactical Allocation fund actively managed by Brinsmere, while AOK is a Diversified Portfolio fund tracking the S&P Target Risk Conservative Index. TBFC is actively managed, while AOK is passively managed. Over the past year, TBFC returned 15.23% vs 11.77% for AOK. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TBFC charges 0.44%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for AOK.

Performance

TBFC vs. AOK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in The Brinsmere Fund - Conservative ETF (TBFC) and iShares Core Conservative Allocation ETF (AOK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TBFC achieves a 5.77% return, which is significantly higher than AOK's 4.41% return.

TBFC

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: 2.07%
• YTD: 5.77%
• 6M: 6.35%
• 1Y: 15.23%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

AOK

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 1.38%
• YTD: 4.41%
• 6M: 4.33%
• 1Y: 11.77%
• 3Y*: 9.39%
• 5Y*: 3.74%
• 10Y*: 5.14%

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

TBFC vs. AOK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
TBFC The Brinsmere Fund - Conservative ETF	5.77%	11.38%	8.18%
AOK iShares Core Conservative Allocation ETF	4.41%	11.26%	7.68%

Correlation

The correlation between TBFC and AOK is 0.93, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 17, 2024	0.89

The correlation between TBFC and AOK has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

TBFC vs. AOK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	TBFC	AOK
Technology	21.1%	13.0%
Financial Services	18.0%	6.0%
Industrials	12.7%	3.6%
Healthcare	8.9%	3.0%
Consumer Cyclical	8.1%	3.2%
Energy	7.3%	1.5%
Consumer Defensive	6.3%	1.7%
Communication Services	6.0%	3.4%
Basic Materials	5.7%	1.1%
Utilities	3.8%	0.9%
Real Estate	2.1%	0.5%

Return for Risk

TBFC vs. AOK — Risk / Return Rank

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

TBFC

TBFC Risk / Return Rank: 71
TBFC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
TBFC Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
TBFC Omega Ratio Rank: 79
TBFC Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
TBFC Martin Ratio Rank: 66

AOK

AOK Risk / Return Rank: 62
AOK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
AOK Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
AOK Omega Ratio Rank: 67
AOK Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
AOK Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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.

TBFC vs. AOK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for The Brinsmere Fund - Conservative ETF (TBFC) and iShares Core Conservative Allocation ETF (AOK). 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.

	TBFC	AOK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.41	2.06	+0.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.44	2.94	+0.50
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.40	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.81	2.63	+0.18
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.86	11.18	+0.68
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TBFC vs. AOK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TBFC Sharpe Ratio is 2.41, which is comparable to the AOK Sharpe Ratio of 2.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TBFC and AOK, 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

	TBFC	AOK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.41	2.06	+0.36
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.53	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.77	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.51	0.71	+0.80

Drawdowns

TBFC vs. AOK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TBFC drawdown since its inception was -8.89%, smaller than the maximum AOK drawdown of -18.94%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TBFC and AOK.

Drawdown Indicators

	TBFC	AOK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.89%	-18.94%	+10.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.45%	-4.50%	-0.95%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-6.37%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-18.94%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-18.94%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.23%	-0.26%	+0.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.06%	-2.37%	+1.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.29%	1.06%	+0.23%

Volatility

TBFC vs. AOK - Volatility Comparison

The Brinsmere Fund - Conservative ETF (TBFC) has a higher volatility of 2.06% compared to iShares Core Conservative Allocation ETF (AOK) at 1.94%. This indicates that TBFC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AOK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TBFC	AOK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.06%	1.94%	+0.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.24%	4.47%	+0.77%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.35%	5.76%	+0.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.14%	7.10%	+0.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.14%	6.71%	+0.43%

TBFC vs. AOK - Expense Ratio Comparison

TBFC has a 0.44% expense ratio, which is higher than AOK's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

TBFC vs. AOK - Dividend Comparison

TBFC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.93%, less than AOK's 3.28% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AOK iShares Core Conservative Allocation ETF	3.28%	3.28%	3.23%	2.93%	2.25%	1.55%	2.10%	2.71%	2.68%	2.91%	2.14%	2.02%
TBFC The Brinsmere Fund - Conservative ETF	2.93%	3.28%	2.98%	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 TBFC and AOK in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, TBFC and AOK move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, TBFC or AOK?

TBFC has higher volatility (2.06%) compared to AOK (1.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TBFC dropped -8.89% vs AOK's -18.94%.

Which ETF is better, TBFC or AOK?

On 1-year performance, TBFC leads with 15.23% vs 11.77% for AOK. On fees, AOK is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, AOK has been the lower-risk option at 1.94%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TBFC or AOK?

Over the 1-year period, TBFC has performed better with a 15.23% return vs 11.77%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TBFC or AOK?

AOK is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.44% for TBFC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, TBFC or AOK?

AOK has the higher dividend yield at 3.28%, compared with 2.93% for TBFC.

What is the main difference between TBFC and AOK?

TBFC is categorized as Tactical Allocation, while AOK is Diversified Portfolio. They also come from different issuers: Brinsmere and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.44% for TBFC and 0.25% for AOK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TBFC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.41 vs 2.06), 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.