USCL vs. AFOS

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

USCL (Ishares Climate Conscious & Transition MSCI USA ETF) and AFOS (ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. USCL charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for AFOS.

Performance

USCL vs. AFOS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Ishares Climate Conscious & Transition MSCI USA ETF (USCL) and ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF (AFOS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, USCL achieves a 7.58% return, which is significantly lower than AFOS's 32.04% return.

USCL

• 1D: 0.51%
• 1M: 4.36%
• YTD: 7.58%
• 6M: 7.33%
• 1Y: 21.48%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

AFOS

• 1D: -0.29%
• 1M: 8.94%
• YTD: 32.04%
• 6M: 37.37%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

USCL vs. AFOS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
USCL Ishares Climate Conscious & Transition MSCI USA ETF	7.58%	9.31%
AFOS ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF	32.04%	36.15%

Correlation

The correlation between USCL and AFOS is 0.76, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 27, 2025	0.76

Return for Risk

USCL vs. AFOS — Risk / Return Rank

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

USCL

USCL Risk / Return Rank: 50
USCL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
USCL Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
USCL Omega Ratio Rank: 52
USCL Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
USCL Martin Ratio Rank: 50

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.

USCL vs. AFOS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Ishares Climate Conscious & Transition MSCI USA ETF (USCL) and ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF (AFOS). 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.

	USCL	AFOS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.78	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.46	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.11	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.34	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	USCL	AFOS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.78	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.41	4.35	-2.93

Drawdowns

USCL vs. AFOS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum USCL drawdown since its inception was -19.00%, which is greater than AFOS's maximum drawdown of -11.52%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USCL and AFOS.

Drawdown Indicators

	USCL	AFOS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.00%	-11.52%	-7.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.24%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.35%	-0.29%	-0.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.27%	-1.37%	-0.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.58%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	USCL	AFOS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.80%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.06%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.13%	20.19%	-8.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.83%	20.19%	-5.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.83%	20.19%	-5.36%

USCL vs. AFOS - Expense Ratio Comparison

USCL has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than AFOS's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

USCL vs. AFOS - Dividend Comparison

USCL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.07%, more than AFOS's 0.22% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
AFOS ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF	0.22%	0.30%	0.00%	0.00%
USCL Ishares Climate Conscious & Transition MSCI USA ETF	1.07%	1.10%	1.18%	0.85%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both USCL and AFOS in my portfolio?

USCL and AFOS have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, USCL or AFOS?

On fees, USCL is cheaper at 0.08% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, USCL or AFOS?

USCL is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for AFOS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, USCL or AFOS?

USCL has the higher dividend yield at 1.07%, compared with 0.22% for AFOS.

What is the main difference between USCL and AFOS?

They also come from different issuers: iShares and ARS Investment Partners. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for USCL and 0.45% for AFOS.