VTI vs. AFOS

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) and AFOS (ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. VTI is passively managed, while AFOS is actively managed. Over the past year, VTI returned 24.07% vs 68.95% for AFOS. Their correlation of 0.83 means they have usually moved in the same direction. VTI charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for AFOS.

Performance

VTI vs. AFOS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) 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, VTI achieves a 14.27% return, which is significantly lower than AFOS's 33.00% return.

VTI

• 1D: 1.87%
• 1M: 3.27%
• 6M: 12.73%
• YTD: 14.27%
• 1Y: 24.07%
• 3Y*: 21.13%
• 5Y*: 12.31%
• 10Y*: 14.87%
• ALL TIME*: 9.72%

AFOS

• 1D: 2.18%
• 1M: 1.37%
• 6M: 19.61%
• YTD: 33.00%
• 1Y: 68.95%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 72.14%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
AFOS ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF	$514.50K	$483.29K	$468.04K
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	$1.13B	$1.17B	$1.24B

VTI vs. AFOS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	14.27%	12.97%
AFOS ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF	33.00%	37.10%

Correlation

The correlation between VTI and AFOS is 0.83, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2025	0.83

The correlation between VTI and AFOS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VTI vs. AFOS — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 72
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 70
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 80

AFOS

AFOS Risk / Return Rank: 94
AFOS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
AFOS Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
AFOS Omega Ratio Rank: 92
AFOS Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
AFOS Martin Ratio Rank: 95

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

VTI vs. AFOS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) 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.

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.

	VTI	AFOS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.85	2.99	-1.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.55	3.71	-1.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.48	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.71	5.88	-3.17
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.68	22.08	-10.40

VTI vs. AFOS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTI Sharpe Ratio is 1.85, which is lower than the AFOS Sharpe Ratio of 2.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTI and AFOS, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VTI vs. AFOS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTI drawdown since its inception was -55.45%, which is greater than AFOS's maximum drawdown of -11.80%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTI and AFOS.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTI	AFOS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.45%	-11.80%	-43.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.92%	-11.80%	+2.88%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.30%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.36%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.00%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-2.77%	+2.77%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.98%	-1.81%	-6.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.07%	3.13%	-1.06%

Volatility

VTI vs. AFOS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is 4.13%, while ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF (AFOS) has a volatility of 8.72%. This indicates that VTI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AFOS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTI	AFOS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.13%	8.72%	-4.59%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.47%	19.38%	-8.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.18%	23.24%	-10.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.54%	22.42%	-4.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.32%	22.42%	-4.10%

VTI vs. AFOS - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTI has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than AFOS's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

VTI vs. AFOS - Dividend Comparison

VTI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.02%, more than AFOS's 0.22% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AFOS ARS Focused Opportunities Strategy ETF	0.22%	0.30%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.02%	1.12%	1.27%	1.44%	1.66%	1.21%	1.42%	1.78%	2.04%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTI and AFOS in my portfolio?

VTI and AFOS have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VTI or AFOS?

AFOS has higher volatility (8.72%) compared to VTI (4.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTI dropped -55.45% vs AFOS's -11.80%.

Which ETF is better, VTI or AFOS?

On 1-year performance, AFOS leads with 68.95% vs 24.07% for VTI. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VTI has been the lower-risk option at 4.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VTI or AFOS?

Over the 1-year period, AFOS has performed better with a 68.95% return vs 24.07%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VTI or AFOS?

VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for AFOS.

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

VTI has the higher dividend yield at 1.02%, compared with 0.22% for AFOS.

What is the main difference between VTI and AFOS?

They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and ARS Investment Partners. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VTI and 0.45% for AFOS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AFOS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.99 vs 1.85), 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.