AIO vs CWS
Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund vs AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF
Which is better, AIO or CWS?
AIO has been ahead.
CWS has a lower expense ratio. AIO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | AIO | CWS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.47% | 0.65%Best |
| AUM | $944M | $119M |
| Dividend Yield | 11.21% | 0.32% |
| Holdings | 102 | 27 |
| YTD Return | +16.25%Best | -2.08% |
| 1Y Return | +15.01%Best | -0.90% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +25.21%Best | +9.32% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.34%Best | +7.43% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.9% | 17.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -45.2% | -33.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,356Best | $14,310 |
| Fund Family | Virtus Investment Partners | Advisor Shares |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Mid Cap Growth |
| Inception | Oct 31, 2019 | Sep 20, 2016 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 29, 2019 to Oct 14, 2026 (7 years).
AIO vs CWS growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 7 years both funds cover.
AIO vs CWS Performance
Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund (AIO) is an ETF from Virtus Investment Partners and AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF (CWS) is an ETF from Advisor Shares. Over the past year AIO returned +15.01% while CWS returned -0.90%. Year to date, AIO is up 16.25% versus a loss of 2.08% for CWS.
Over three years, AIO compounded at +25.21% per year against +9.32% for CWS; over five years the annualized figures are +10.34% and +7.43% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, AIO has the edge at +12.83% annualized vs +9.78%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AIO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.9% compared with 17.6% for CWS. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -45.2% for AIO and -33.8% for CWS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.71. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AIO charges 1.47% per year while CWS charges 0.65%. On a $10,000 position that is $147 vs $65 annually, a gap of $82 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AIO currently yields 11.21% against 0.32% for CWS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 5.3% of CWS's money is in holdings AIO also owns.
Stated as a floor: for AIO, our book for it covers 71.8% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
CWS and AIO share little of their money.
1 positions in common, counted across the 108 positions we hold weights for in AIO and 26 in CWS, against full books of 102 and 27.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 108 and 26 positions we hold weights for.
AIO holds 83 positions CWS does not, 60.1% of the fund.
Largest: NVDA 4.94%, LLY 2.12%, WELL 3.125 07/15/29 2.01%, AVGO 1.92%, GEV 1.83%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in AIO | Weight in CWS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| APHAmphenol Corp. Class A | 1.48% | 5.26% | 3.78% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of AIO and CWS you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, AIO or CWS?
AIO has an expense ratio of 1.47% while CWS charges 0.65%. CWS is the cheaper option, by $82 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AIO or CWS?
Over the past year AIO returned +15.01% vs -0.90% for CWS, so AIO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), AIO annualized +12.83% vs +9.78% for CWS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AIO or CWS?
AIO has been the more volatile fund at 21.9% annualized versus 17.6% for CWS. Worst drawdown: AIO -45.2% vs CWS -33.8%.
Should I hold both AIO and CWS?
AIO and CWS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.71, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between AIO and CWS?
At least 5.3% of CWS's money is in holdings AIO also owns. Our book for AIO is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 108 positions we hold weights for in AIO and 26 in CWS.
Which pays a higher dividend, AIO or CWS?
AIO yields 11.21% while CWS yields 0.32%, so AIO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is CWS better than AIO?
CWS has a lower expense ratio. AIO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.