YOLO vs. CWS

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

YOLO (AdvisorShares Pure Cannabis ETF) and CWS (AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - YOLO is a Cannabis 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, YOLO returned -30.84%/yr vs 8.33%/yr for CWS. At a 0.36 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. YOLO charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.77%/yr for CWS.

Performance

YOLO vs. CWS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AdvisorShares Pure Cannabis ETF (YOLO) 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, YOLO achieves a -6.36% return, which is significantly lower than CWS's -1.78% return.

YOLO

• 1D: -0.64%
• 1M: -2.94%
• YTD: -6.36%
• 6M: 6.55%
• 1Y: 60.94%
• 3Y*: 7.40%
• 5Y*: -30.84%
• 10Y*: —

CWS

• 1D: -0.13%
• 1M: -0.93%
• YTD: -1.78%
• 6M: -1.09%
• 1Y: -0.36%
• 3Y*: 10.26%
• 5Y*: 8.33%
• 10Y*: —

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

YOLO vs. CWS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
YOLO AdvisorShares Pure Cannabis ETF	-6.36%	36.36%	-17.81%	-15.10%	-72.21%	-20.48%	47.17%	-50.02%
CWS AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF	-1.78%	6.43%	9.82%	25.06%	-10.42%	22.20%	17.12%	14.21%

Correlation

The correlation between YOLO and CWS is 0.24, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.24
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.27
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.35
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 22, 2019	0.36

The correlation between YOLO and CWS shifts across timeframes, from 0.24 (1 year) to 0.36 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

YOLO vs. CWS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	YOLO	CWS
Financial Services	61.5%	10.8%
Healthcare	24.3%	25.1%
Consumer Defensive	13.4%	4.2%
Consumer Cyclical	0.9%	15.1%
Real Estate	0.7%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Energy	-	-
Industrials	-	22.4%
Technology	-	18.5%
Utilities	-	4.0%

Return for Risk

YOLO vs. CWS — Risk / Return Rank

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

YOLO

YOLO Risk / Return Rank: 28
YOLO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
YOLO Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
YOLO Omega Ratio Rank: 32
YOLO Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
YOLO Martin Ratio Rank: 21

CWS

CWS Risk / Return Rank: 8
CWS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
CWS Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
CWS Omega Ratio Rank: 8
CWS Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
CWS Martin Ratio Rank: 7

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.

YOLO vs. CWS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AdvisorShares Pure Cannabis ETF (YOLO) 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.

	YOLO	CWS	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.82	-0.03	+0.85
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.81	0.06	+1.76
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.01	+0.21
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.42	-0.09	+1.51
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	2.69	-0.23	+2.92
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

YOLO vs. CWS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current YOLO Sharpe Ratio is 0.82, which is higher than the CWS Sharpe Ratio of -0.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of YOLO 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

	YOLO	CWS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.82	-0.03	+0.85
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.58	0.54	-1.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.46	0.67	-1.13

Drawdowns

YOLO vs. CWS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum YOLO drawdown since its inception was -94.68%, which is greater than CWS's maximum drawdown of -33.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for YOLO and CWS.

Drawdown Indicators

	YOLO	CWS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-94.68%	-33.82%	-60.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-41.09%	-11.92%	-29.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-66.45%	-16.56%	-49.89%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-92.47%	-24.87%	-67.60%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-89.05%	-6.19%	-82.86%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-68.93%	-4.54%	-64.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	21.75%	4.59%	+17.16%

Volatility

YOLO vs. CWS - Volatility Comparison

AdvisorShares Pure Cannabis ETF (YOLO) has a higher volatility of 11.95% compared to AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF (CWS) at 3.32%. This indicates that YOLO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CWS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	YOLO	CWS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.95%	3.32%	+8.63%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	52.24%	10.34%	+41.90%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	74.34%	13.30%	+61.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	53.58%	15.66%	+37.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	51.33%	16.92%	+34.41%

YOLO vs. CWS - Expense Ratio Comparison

YOLO has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is lower than CWS's 0.77% expense ratio.

Dividends

YOLO vs. CWS - Dividend Comparison

YOLO has not paid dividends to shareholders, while CWS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.31%.

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%
YOLO AdvisorShares Pure Cannabis ETF	0.00%	0.00%	3.57%	1.17%	0.55%	3.93%	2.03%	4.52%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both YOLO and CWS in my portfolio?

YOLO and CWS have a correlation of 0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, YOLO or CWS?

YOLO has higher volatility (11.95%) compared to CWS (3.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, YOLO dropped -94.68% vs CWS's -33.82%.

Which ETF is better, YOLO or CWS?

On 5-year performance, CWS leads with 8.33% vs -30.84% for YOLO. On fees, YOLO is cheaper at 0.75% per year. On volatility, CWS has been the lower-risk option at 3.32%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, YOLO or CWS?

Over the 5-year period, CWS has performed better with a 8.33% return vs -30.84%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, YOLO or CWS?

YOLO is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 0.77% for CWS.

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

CWS has the higher dividend yield at 0.31%, compared with 0.00% for YOLO.

What is the main difference between YOLO and CWS?

YOLO is categorized as Cannabis, while CWS is Large Cap Growth Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for YOLO and 0.77% for CWS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

YOLO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.82 vs -0.03), 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.