VLUE vs. CAOS
VLUE (iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF) and CAOS (Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VLUE is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Enhanced Value Index, while CAOS is a Options Trading fund actively managed by Alpha Architect. VLUE is passively managed, while CAOS is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, VLUE returned 28.44%/yr vs 3.48%/yr for CAOS. Their 0.02 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. VLUE charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.63%/yr for CAOS.
Performance
VLUE vs. CAOS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VLUE achieves a 40.90% return, which is significantly higher than CAOS's 0.76% return.
VLUE
- 1D
- -1.13%
- 1M
- -0.95%
- 6M
- 30.89%
- YTD
- 40.90%
- 1Y
- 74.68%
- 3Y*
- 28.44%
- 5Y*
- 15.91%
- 10Y*
- 14.59%
- ALL TIME*
- 13.47%
CAOS
- 1D
- -0.06%
- 1M
- -0.01%
- 6M
- 0.16%
- YTD
- 0.76%
- 1Y
- 1.73%
- 3Y*
- 3.48%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 4.70%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $6.81M | $5.39M | $5.09M | |
| $126.51M | $186.31M | $281.60M |
VLUE vs. CAOS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
VLUE iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF | 40.90% | 32.67% | 7.25% | 8.92% |
CAOS Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF | 0.76% | 2.55% | 5.33% | 7.43% |
Correlation
The correlation between VLUE and CAOS is -0.32, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | -0.32 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | -0.11 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 6, 2023 | 0.02 |
The correlation between VLUE and CAOS shifts across timeframes, from -0.32 (1 year) to 0.02 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VLUE vs. CAOS — Risk / Return Rank
VLUE
CAOS
VLUE vs. CAOS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF (VLUE) 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| VLUE | CAOS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +2.37 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +2.68 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.60 | 1.24 | +0.36 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 8.06 | 2.47 | +5.59 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 27.03 | 5.45 | +21.59 |
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Drawdowns
VLUE vs. CAOS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VLUE drawdown since its inception was -39.47%, which is greater than CAOS's maximum drawdown of -3.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VLUE and CAOS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VLUE | CAOS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -39.47% | -3.89% | -35.58% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.04% | -0.76% | -8.28% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -17.89% | -3.60% | -14.29% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -27.12% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -39.47% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -6.57% | -1.13% | -5.44% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.99% | -0.92% | -5.07% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.69% | 0.34% | +2.35% |
Volatility
VLUE vs. CAOS - Volatility Comparison
iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF (VLUE) has a higher volatility of 6.56% compared to Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF (CAOS) at 0.51%. This indicates that VLUE'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.
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Volatility by Period
| VLUE | CAOS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.56% | 0.51% | +6.05% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 17.51% | 1.07% | +16.44% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 20.49% | 1.57% | +18.92% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.37% | 4.18% | +14.19% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.05% | 4.18% | +15.87% |
VLUE vs. CAOS - Expense Ratio Comparison
VLUE has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than CAOS's 0.63% expense ratio.
Dividends
VLUE vs. CAOS - Dividend Comparison
VLUE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.47%, while CAOS has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CAOS Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VLUE iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF | 1.47% | 2.11% | 2.73% | 2.66% | 3.18% | 2.22% | 2.42% | 2.61% | 2.70% | 2.14% | 2.07% | 2.39% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VLUE and CAOS have a correlation of -0.32, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VLUE has higher volatility (6.56%) compared to CAOS (0.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VLUE dropped -39.47% vs CAOS's -3.89%.
On 3-year performance, VLUE leads with 28.44% vs 3.48% for CAOS. On fees, VLUE is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, CAOS has been the lower-risk option at 0.51%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, VLUE has performed better with a 28.44% return vs 3.48%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VLUE is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.63% for CAOS.
VLUE has the higher dividend yield at 1.47%, compared with 0.00% for CAOS.
VLUE is categorized as Large Cap Value Equities, while CAOS is Options Trading. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Alpha Architect. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for VLUE and 0.63% for CAOS.
VLUE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.57 vs 1.19), 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.
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