ZIG vs. ITOT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ZIG (Acquirers Fund) and ITOT (iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - ZIG tracks the Acquirer's Index while ITOT tracks the S&P Total Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ZIG returned 9.39%/yr vs 12.69%/yr for ITOT. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ZIG charges 1.85%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for ITOT.

Performance

ZIG vs. ITOT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Acquirers Fund (ZIG) and iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ZIG achieves a 8.67% return, which is significantly lower than ITOT's 11.25% return.

ZIG

• 1D: -0.01%
• 1M: 1.00%
• YTD: 8.67%
• 6M: 5.36%
• 1Y: 16.94%
• 3Y*: 14.07%
• 5Y*: 9.39%
• 10Y*: —

ITOT

• 1D: -0.73%
• 1M: 5.01%
• YTD: 11.25%
• 6M: 11.12%
• 1Y: 28.12%
• 3Y*: 22.09%
• 5Y*: 12.69%
• 10Y*: 15.01%

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

ZIG vs. ITOT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
ZIG Acquirers Fund	8.67%	-2.67%	11.34%	36.70%	-17.34%	37.38%	-15.76%	9.07%
ITOT iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF	11.25%	17.00%	23.80%	26.12%	-19.47%	25.68%	20.71%	13.75%

Correlation

The correlation between ZIG and ITOT is 0.50, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.50
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.63
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 16, 2019	0.72

Over the past year, the correlation between ZIG and ITOT has dropped to 0.50 - well below their long-term average of 0.72, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

ZIG vs. ITOT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ZIG	ITOT
Consumer Cyclical	38.5%	10.1%
Energy	15.3%	3.7%
Basic Materials	13.4%	2.1%
Consumer Defensive	10.1%	4.7%
Industrials	7.0%	9.5%
Financial Services	6.9%	12.1%
Healthcare	4.3%	9.0%
Technology	4.1%	33.8%
Communication Services	-	10.3%
Real Estate	-	2.4%
Utilities	-	2.3%

Return for Risk

ZIG vs. ITOT — Risk / Return Rank

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

ZIG

ZIG Risk / Return Rank: 28
ZIG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
ZIG Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
ZIG Omega Ratio Rank: 26
ZIG Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
ZIG Martin Ratio Rank: 29

ITOT

ITOT Risk / Return Rank: 68
ITOT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
ITOT Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
ITOT Omega Ratio Rank: 67
ITOT Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
ITOT Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

ZIG vs. ITOT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Acquirers Fund (ZIG) and iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT). 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.

	ZIG	ITOT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.95	2.32	-1.37
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.60	3.17	-1.58
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.42	-0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.37	3.17	-1.80
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.12	14.57	-10.45
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ZIG vs. ITOT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ZIG Sharpe Ratio is 0.95, which is lower than the ITOT Sharpe Ratio of 2.32. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ZIG and ITOT, 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

	ZIG	ITOT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.95	2.32	-1.37
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46	0.74	-0.27
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.82	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.35	0.57	-0.23

Drawdowns

ZIG vs. ITOT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ZIG drawdown since its inception was -37.14%, smaller than the maximum ITOT drawdown of -55.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZIG and ITOT.

Drawdown Indicators

	ZIG	ITOT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.14%	-55.20%	+18.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.38%	-8.90%	-3.48%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.75%	-19.44%	-10.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.75%	-25.36%	-4.39%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.00%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.64%	-0.73%	-4.91%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.74%	-6.97%	-2.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.12%	1.94%	+2.18%

Volatility

ZIG vs. ITOT - Volatility Comparison

Acquirers Fund (ZIG) and iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT) have volatilities of 2.97% and 2.99%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ZIG	ITOT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.97%	2.99%	-0.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.23%	9.13%	+1.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.95%	12.20%	+5.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.48%	17.36%	+3.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.14%	18.26%	+3.88%

ZIG vs. ITOT - Expense Ratio Comparison

ZIG has a 1.85% expense ratio, which is higher than ITOT's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

ZIG vs. ITOT - Dividend Comparison

ZIG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.76%, more than ITOT's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ITOT iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF	0.98%	1.11%	1.23%	1.47%	1.66%	1.18%	1.41%	1.88%	2.14%	1.69%	1.83%	2.01%
ZIG Acquirers Fund	1.76%	1.91%	1.96%	1.07%	1.26%	0.18%	0.18%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ZIG and ITOT in my portfolio?

ZIG and ITOT have a correlation of 0.50, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ZIG or ITOT?

ITOT has higher volatility (2.99%) compared to ZIG (2.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ZIG dropped -37.14% vs ITOT's -55.20%.

Which ETF is better, ZIG or ITOT?

On 5-year performance, ITOT leads with 12.69% vs 9.39% for ZIG. On fees, ITOT is cheaper at 0.03% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ZIG or ITOT?

Over the 5-year period, ITOT has performed better with a 12.69% return vs 9.39%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ZIG or ITOT?

ITOT is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 1.85% for ZIG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ZIG or ITOT?

ZIG has the higher dividend yield at 1.76%, compared with 0.98% for ITOT.

What is the main difference between ZIG and ITOT?

ZIG tracks Acquirer's Index, while ITOT tracks S&P Total Market Index. They also come from different issuers: Acquirers Funds and iShares. Their fees differ too: 1.85% for ZIG and 0.03% for ITOT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ITOT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.32 vs 0.95), 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.