VEGA vs. CWS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VEGA (AdvisorShares STAR Global Buy-Write ETF) and CWS (AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VEGA is a Global Equities fund actively managed by AdvisorShares, while CWS is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by AdvisorShares. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, VEGA returned 7.25%/yr vs 8.16%/yr for CWS. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VEGA charges 2.02%/yr vs 0.77%/yr for CWS.

Performance

VEGA vs. CWS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AdvisorShares STAR Global Buy-Write ETF (VEGA) and AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF (CWS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VEGA achieves a 7.10% return, which is significantly higher than CWS's -1.80% return.

VEGA

• 1D: -0.52%
• 1M: 3.04%
• YTD: 7.10%
• 6M: 6.87%
• 1Y: 18.86%
• 3Y*: 13.94%
• 5Y*: 7.25%
• 10Y*: 7.95%

CWS

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: -0.37%
• YTD: -1.80%
• 6M: -1.31%
• 1Y: -0.99%
• 3Y*: 10.25%
• 5Y*: 8.16%
• 10Y*: —

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

VEGA vs. CWS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VEGA AdvisorShares STAR Global Buy-Write ETF	7.10%	15.83%	11.20%	15.12%	-15.02%	12.36%	8.37%	19.29%	-6.58%	11.50%
CWS AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF	-1.80%	6.43%	9.82%	25.06%	-10.42%	22.20%	17.12%	30.97%	-6.46%	20.92%

Correlation

The correlation between VEGA and CWS is 0.60, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.60
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.67
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 22, 2016	0.63

The correlation between VEGA and CWS shifts across timeframes, from 0.60 (1 year) to 0.72 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VEGA vs. CWS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VEGA	CWS
Technology	31.7%	18.5%
Financial Services	14.6%	10.8%
Industrials	10.8%	22.4%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	15.1%
Communication Services	9.3%	-
Healthcare	8.4%	25.1%
Consumer Defensive	4.6%	4.2%
Energy	3.5%	-
Utilities	2.6%	4.0%
Basic Materials	2.6%	-
Real Estate	1.8%	-

Return for Risk

VEGA vs. CWS — Risk / Return Rank

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

VEGA

VEGA Risk / Return Rank: 63
VEGA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
VEGA Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
VEGA Omega Ratio Rank: 64
VEGA Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
VEGA Martin Ratio Rank: 68

CWS

CWS Risk / Return Rank: 8
CWS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
CWS Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
CWS Omega Ratio Rank: 7
CWS Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
CWS Martin Ratio Rank: 8

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.

VEGA vs. CWS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AdvisorShares STAR Global Buy-Write ETF (VEGA) and AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF (CWS). 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.

	VEGA	CWS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.09	-0.08	+2.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.96	-0.01	+2.97
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.00	+0.39
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.76	-0.08	+2.85
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.41	-0.22	+12.62
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VEGA vs. CWS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VEGA Sharpe Ratio is 2.09, which is higher than the CWS Sharpe Ratio of -0.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VEGA and CWS, 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

	VEGA	CWS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.09	-0.08	+2.17
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59	0.52	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.63	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.67	-0.14

Drawdowns

VEGA vs. CWS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VEGA drawdown since its inception was -28.37%, smaller than the maximum CWS drawdown of -33.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VEGA and CWS.

Drawdown Indicators

	VEGA	CWS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.37%	-33.82%	+5.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.86%	-11.92%	+5.06%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.62%	-16.56%	+4.94%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.78%	-24.87%	+2.09%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-28.37%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.52%	-6.21%	+5.69%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.79%	-4.54%	+0.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.52%	4.61%	-3.09%

Volatility

VEGA vs. CWS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for AdvisorShares STAR Global Buy-Write ETF (VEGA) is 2.71%, while AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF (CWS) has a volatility of 3.27%. This indicates that VEGA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CWS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VEGA	CWS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.71%	3.27%	-0.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.45%	10.29%	-2.84%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.06%	13.28%	-4.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.29%	15.66%	-3.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.70%	16.91%	-4.21%

VEGA vs. CWS - Expense Ratio Comparison

VEGA has a 2.02% expense ratio, which is higher than CWS's 0.77% expense ratio.

Dividends

VEGA vs. CWS - Dividend Comparison

VEGA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.25%, more than CWS's 0.31% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
CWS AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF	0.31%	0.31%	0.59%	0.25%	0.50%	0.16%	0.27%	0.39%	2.07%	0.29%	0.03%
VEGA AdvisorShares STAR Global Buy-Write ETF	1.25%	1.34%	1.05%	1.12%	1.89%	0.55%	0.28%	0.44%	0.45%	0.00%	0.81%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VEGA and CWS in my portfolio?

VEGA and CWS have a correlation of 0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VEGA or CWS?

CWS has higher volatility (3.27%) compared to VEGA (2.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VEGA dropped -28.37% vs CWS's -33.82%.

Which ETF is better, VEGA or CWS?

On 5-year performance, CWS leads with 8.16% vs 7.25% for VEGA. On fees, CWS is cheaper at 0.77% per year. On volatility, VEGA has been the lower-risk option at 2.71%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VEGA or CWS?

Over the 5-year period, CWS has performed better with a 8.16% return vs 7.25%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VEGA or CWS?

CWS is cheaper with a 0.77% expense ratio, compared with 2.02% for VEGA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VEGA or CWS?

VEGA has the higher dividend yield at 1.25%, compared with 0.31% for CWS.

What is the main difference between VEGA and CWS?

VEGA is categorized as Global Equities, while CWS is Large Cap Growth Equities. Their fees differ too: 2.02% for VEGA and 0.77% for CWS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEGA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.09 vs -0.07), 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.