ACEP vs VOO
ARS Core Equity Portfolio ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, ACEP or VOO?
ACEP has been ahead.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. ACEP led over 1Y. ACEP is less concentrated, with 38.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 39.1%.
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 | ACEP | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.46% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $98M | $1.0T |
| Dividend Yield | 0.11% | 1.05% |
| Holdings | 74 | 519 |
| YTD Return | +21.73%Best | +12.11% |
| 1Y Return | +33.36%Best | +12.50% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +21.54% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.93% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.6% | 13.3%Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 38.3%Best | 39.1% |
| Fund Family | ARS Investment | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 20, 2025 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Not shown on this pair: Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window.
ACEP vs VOO 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
ACEP vs VOO Performance
ARS Core Equity Portfolio ETF (ACEP) is an ETF from ARS Investment and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ACEP returned +33.36% while VOO returned +12.50%. Year to date, ACEP is up 21.73% versus a gain of 12.11% for VOO.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ACEP has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.6% compared with 13.3% for VOO. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.77. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ACEP charges 0.46% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $46 vs $3 annually, a gap of $43 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ACEP currently yields 0.11% against 1.05% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
77.3% of ACEP's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 17.3% of VOO's money is in holdings ACEP also owns.
Most of ACEP is already inside VOO. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
27 positions in common, counted across the 35 positions we hold weights for in ACEP and 506 in VOO, against full books of 74 and 519.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 474 positions for VOO that do not appear in our book for ACEP (82.6% of the fund), and 3 for ACEP that do not appear in VOO (6.7%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ACEP | Weight in VOO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple Inc | 2.44% | 7.38% | 4.94% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 4.02% | 2.54% | 1.48% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 3.58% | 1.33% | 2.25% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 4.06% | 0.61% | 3.45% |
| LRCXLam Research Corporation | 4.04% | 0.62% | 3.42% |
| STXSeagate Technolo | 3.75% | 0.32% | 3.43% |
| PHParker-Hannifin Corp. | 3.85% | 0.18% | 3.67% |
| HPEHewlett Packard Enterprise Co | 3.83% | 0.13% | 3.70% |
| TRGPTarga Resources Corp Preferred | 3.69% | 0.09% | 3.60% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 2.65% | 0.97% | 1.68% |
77.3% of ACEP is already inside VOO.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, ACEP or VOO?
ACEP has an expense ratio of 0.46% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $43 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ACEP or VOO?
Over the past year ACEP returned +33.36% vs +12.50% for VOO, so ACEP leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ACEP or VOO?
ACEP has been the more volatile fund at 14.6% annualized versus 13.3% for VOO.
Should I hold both ACEP and VOO?
ACEP and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.77, 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 ACEP and VOO?
77.3% of ACEP's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 17.3% of VOO's is in holdings ACEP also owns. They hold 27 positions in common, counted across the 35 positions we hold weights for in ACEP and 506 in VOO.
Which pays a higher dividend, ACEP or VOO?
ACEP yields 0.11% while VOO yields 1.05%, so VOO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than ACEP?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. ACEP led over 1Y. ACEP is less concentrated, with 38.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 39.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.