WNTR vs. CAOS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

WNTR (YieldMax Short MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF) and CAOS (Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - WNTR is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by YieldMax, while CAOS is a Options Trading fund actively managed by Alpha Architect. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, WNTR returned 73.88% vs 1.88% for CAOS. At a 0.20 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. WNTR charges 1.01%/yr vs 0.63%/yr for CAOS.

Performance

WNTR vs. CAOS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in YieldMax Short MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF (WNTR) and Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF (CAOS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, WNTR achieves a -7.49% return, which is significantly lower than CAOS's 0.82% return.

WNTR

• 1D: 4.50%
• 1M: 25.47%
• YTD: -7.49%
• 6M: 10.48%
• 1Y: 73.88%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

CAOS

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: -0.09%
• YTD: 0.82%
• 6M: 0.69%
• 1Y: 1.88%
• 3Y*: 4.26%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

WNTR vs. CAOS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
WNTR YieldMax Short MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF	-7.49%	54.43%
CAOS Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF	0.82%	1.83%

Correlation

The correlation between WNTR and CAOS is 0.17, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.17
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 28, 2025	0.20

Return for Risk

WNTR vs. CAOS — Risk / Return Rank

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

WNTR

WNTR Risk / Return Rank: 36
WNTR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
WNTR Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
WNTR Omega Ratio Rank: 39
WNTR Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
WNTR Martin Ratio Rank: 31

CAOS

CAOS Risk / Return Rank: 40
CAOS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
CAOS Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
CAOS Omega Ratio Rank: 39
CAOS Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
CAOS Martin Ratio Rank: 39

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.

WNTR vs. CAOS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for YieldMax Short MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF (WNTR) 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.

	WNTR	CAOS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.47	1.24	+0.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.88	1.98	-0.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.26	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.74	2.49	-0.75
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.63	6.22	-1.60
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

WNTR vs. CAOS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WNTR Sharpe Ratio is 1.47, which is comparable to the CAOS Sharpe Ratio of 1.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WNTR and CAOS, 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

	WNTR	CAOS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.47	1.24	+0.23
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.68	1.21	-0.53

Drawdowns

WNTR vs. CAOS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WNTR drawdown since its inception was -42.65%, which is greater than CAOS's maximum drawdown of -3.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WNTR and CAOS.

Drawdown Indicators

	WNTR	CAOS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.65%	-3.60%	-39.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-42.65%	-0.76%	-41.89%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-3.60%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-24.53%	-1.07%	-23.46%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-20.98%	-0.90%	-20.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	16.02%	0.30%	+15.72%

Volatility

WNTR vs. CAOS - Volatility Comparison

YieldMax Short MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF (WNTR) has a higher volatility of 13.12% compared to Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF (CAOS) at 0.26%. This indicates that WNTR'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.

Volatility by Period

	WNTR	CAOS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.12%	0.26%	+12.86%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	44.34%	1.03%	+43.31%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	50.83%	1.52%	+49.31%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	52.42%	4.26%	+48.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	52.42%	4.26%	+48.16%

WNTR vs. CAOS - Expense Ratio Comparison

WNTR has a 1.01% expense ratio, which is higher than CAOS's 0.63% expense ratio.

Dividends

WNTR vs. CAOS - Dividend Comparison

WNTR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 116.75%, while CAOS has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025
CAOS Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF	0.00%	0.00%
WNTR YieldMax Short MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF	116.75%	58.56%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WNTR and CAOS in my portfolio?

WNTR and CAOS have a correlation of 0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, WNTR or CAOS?

WNTR has higher volatility (13.12%) compared to CAOS (0.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WNTR dropped -42.65% vs CAOS's -3.60%.

Which ETF is better, WNTR or CAOS?

On 1-year performance, WNTR leads with 73.88% vs 1.88% for CAOS. On fees, CAOS is cheaper at 0.63% per year. On volatility, CAOS has been the lower-risk option at 0.26%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, WNTR or CAOS?

Over the 1-year period, WNTR has performed better with a 73.88% return vs 1.88%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, WNTR or CAOS?

CAOS is cheaper with a 0.63% expense ratio, compared with 1.01% for WNTR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, WNTR or CAOS?

WNTR has the higher dividend yield at 116.75%, compared with 0.00% for CAOS.

What is the main difference between WNTR and CAOS?

WNTR is categorized as Derivative Income, while CAOS is Options Trading. They also come from different issuers: YieldMax and Alpha Architect. Their fees differ too: 1.01% for WNTR and 0.63% for CAOS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

WNTR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.47 vs 1.24), 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.