CAOS vs MSFO
Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF vs YieldMax Microsoft Option Income Strategy ETF
Which is better, CAOS or MSFO?
MSFO has been ahead.
CAOS has a lower expense ratio. MSFO led over 1Y, 3Y 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 | CAOS | MSFO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.63%Best | 1.03% |
| AUM | $705M | $87M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 38.50% |
| Holdings | 12 | 30 |
| YTD Return | +1.68% | +10.80%Best |
| 1Y Return | +1.45% | +4.00%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +3.57% | +16.27%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 1.6%Best | 23.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -3.6%Best | -29.6% |
| $10,000 over 3.1 years | $11,196 | $16,300Best |
| Fund Family | Alpha Architect | YieldMax ETF |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Multi Alternative |
| Inception | Aug 14, 2013 | Aug 24, 2023 |
Not shown on this pair: 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 25, 2023 to Oct 14, 2026 (3.1 years).
CAOS vs MSFO 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 3.1 years both funds cover.
CAOS vs MSFO Performance
Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF (CAOS) is an ETF from Alpha Architect and YieldMax Microsoft Option Income Strategy ETF (MSFO) is an ETF from YieldMax ETF. Over the past year CAOS returned +1.45% while MSFO returned +4.00%. Year to date, CAOS is up 1.68% versus a gain of 10.80% for MSFO.
Over three years, CAOS compounded at +3.57% per year against +16.27% for MSFO.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MSFO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.3% compared with 1.6% 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 -3.6% for CAOS and -29.6% for MSFO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.13. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CAOS charges 0.63% per year while MSFO charges 1.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $63 vs $103 annually, a gap of $40 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CAOS currently yields 0.00% against 38.50% for MSFO.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in CAOS and 2 in MSFO, totalling 0.1% and 26.6% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 1 positions appear in both.
1 positions in common, counted across the 1 positions we hold weights for in CAOS and 2 in MSFO, against full books of 12 and 30.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in CAOS | Weight in MSFO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| FGXXXFirst American Government Obligations Fund | 0.10% | 2.43% | 2.33% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of CAOS and MSFO 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, CAOS or MSFO?
CAOS has an expense ratio of 0.63% while MSFO charges 1.03%. CAOS is the cheaper option, by $40 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CAOS or MSFO?
Over the past year CAOS returned +1.45% vs +4.00% for MSFO, so MSFO leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, CAOS or MSFO?
MSFO has been the more volatile fund at 23.3% annualized versus 1.6% for CAOS. Worst drawdown: CAOS -3.6% vs MSFO -29.6%.
Should I hold both CAOS and MSFO?
CAOS and MSFO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.13, 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, CAOS or MSFO?
CAOS yields 0.00% while MSFO yields 38.50%, so MSFO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is MSFO better than CAOS?
CAOS has a lower expense ratio. MSFO led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.