VSLU vs. AFOS

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

VSLU (Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap US ETF) and AFOS (ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VSLU charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for AFOS.

Performance

VSLU vs. AFOS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap US ETF (VSLU) 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, VSLU achieves a 6.76% return, which is significantly lower than AFOS's 32.42% return.

VSLU

• 1D: -0.37%
• 1M: 4.20%
• YTD: 6.76%
• 6M: 7.74%
• 1Y: 27.23%
• 3Y*: 22.03%
• 5Y*: 14.42%
• 10Y*: —

AFOS

• 1D: 1.18%
• 1M: 9.94%
• YTD: 32.42%
• 6M: 37.62%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VSLU vs. AFOS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VSLU Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap US ETF	6.76%	15.14%
AFOS ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF	32.42%	36.15%

Correlation

The correlation between VSLU and AFOS is 0.70, 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	0.70

Return for Risk

VSLU vs. AFOS — Risk / Return Rank

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

VSLU

VSLU Risk / Return Rank: 64
VSLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
VSLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
VSLU Omega Ratio Rank: 63
VSLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
VSLU Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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.

VSLU vs. AFOS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap US ETF (VSLU) 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.

	VSLU	AFOS	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.19	—	—
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.98	—	—
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	—	—
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.00	—	—
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	13.33	—	—
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

	VSLU	AFOS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.19	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.87	4.39	-3.52

Drawdowns

VSLU vs. AFOS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSLU drawdown since its inception was -23.86%, which is greater than AFOS's maximum drawdown of -11.52%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSLU and AFOS.

Drawdown Indicators

	VSLU	AFOS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.86%	-11.52%	-12.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.16%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.89%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.86%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.37%	0.00%	-0.37%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.89%	-1.38%	-3.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.06%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	VSLU	AFOS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.41%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.24%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.48%	20.22%	-7.74%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.19%	20.22%	-4.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.14%	20.22%	-4.08%

VSLU vs. AFOS - Expense Ratio Comparison

VSLU has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than AFOS's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

VSLU vs. AFOS - Dividend Comparison

VSLU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.43%, more than AFOS's 0.22% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
AFOS ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF	0.22%	0.30%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VSLU Applied Finance Valuation Large Cap US ETF	0.43%	0.46%	0.60%	0.60%	0.99%	0.57%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VSLU and AFOS in my portfolio?

VSLU and AFOS have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, VSLU or AFOS?

On fees, AFOS is cheaper at 0.45% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, VSLU or AFOS?

AFOS is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for VSLU.

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

VSLU has the higher dividend yield at 0.43%, compared with 0.22% for AFOS.

What is the main difference between VSLU and AFOS?

They also come from different issuers: Applied Finance and ARS Investment Partners. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for VSLU and 0.45% for AFOS.