AJUL vs CAOS
Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 2 Yr to July 2026 vs Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF
Which is better, AJUL or CAOS?
AJUL has been ahead.
CAOS has a lower expense ratio. AJUL led over 1Y 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 | AJUL | CAOS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.79% | 0.63%Best |
| AUM | $98M | $705M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 21 | 12 |
| YTD Return | +4.38%Best | +1.68% |
| 1Y Return | +6.14%Best | +1.45% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +3.57% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 3.4% | 1.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -6.1% | -3.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.3 years | $11,752Best | $10,747 |
| Fund Family | Innovator ETFs Trust | Alpha Architect |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Multi Alternative |
| Inception | Jul 1, 2024 | Aug 14, 2013 |
Not shown on this pair: 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 1, 2024 to Oct 14, 2026 (2.3 years).
AJUL vs CAOS 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 2.3 years both funds cover.
AJUL vs CAOS Performance
Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 2 Yr to July 2026 (AJUL) is an ETF from Innovator ETFs Trust and Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF (CAOS) is an ETF from Alpha Architect. Over the past year AJUL returned +6.14% while CAOS returned +1.45%. Year to date, AJUL is up 4.38% versus a gain of 1.68% for CAOS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AJUL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 3.4% compared with 1.1% for CAOS. 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 -6.1% for AJUL and -3.6% for CAOS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at -0.21. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AJUL charges 0.79% per year while CAOS charges 0.63%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $63 annually, a gap of $16 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AJUL currently yields 0.00% against 0.00% for CAOS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in AJUL and 1 in CAOS, totalling 99.5% and 0.1% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 1 positions we hold weights for in AJUL and 1 in CAOS, against full books of 21 and 12.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of AJUL and CAOS 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, AJUL or CAOS?
AJUL has an expense ratio of 0.79% while CAOS charges 0.63%. CAOS is the cheaper option, by $16 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AJUL or CAOS?
Over the past year AJUL returned +6.14% vs +1.45% for CAOS, so AJUL leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), AJUL annualized +7.27% vs +3.18% for CAOS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AJUL or CAOS?
AJUL has been the more volatile fund at 3.4% annualized versus 1.1% for CAOS. Worst drawdown: AJUL -6.1% vs CAOS -3.6%.
Should I hold both AJUL and CAOS?
AJUL and CAOS have a monthly-return correlation of -0.21, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, AJUL or CAOS?
AJUL yields 0.00% while CAOS yields 0.00%, so CAOS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is CAOS better than AJUL?
CAOS has a lower expense ratio. AJUL led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.