CWS vs VOO
AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, CWS or VOO?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VOO is less concentrated, with 36.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 51.9%.
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 | CWS | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $131M | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.29% | 1.08% |
| Holdings | 27 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +3.90% | +13.37%Best |
| 1Y Return | +4.08% | +20.08%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.58% | +21.29%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.25% | +12.89%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.1% | 15.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -33.8%Best | -34.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,864 | $18,335Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 51.9% | 36.4%Best |
| Fund Family | Advisor Shares | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 20, 2016 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 21, 2016 to Sep 4, 2026 (10 years).
CWS 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 covers the 10 years both funds cover.
CWS vs VOO Performance
AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF (CWS) is an ETF from Advisor Shares and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year CWS returned +4.08% while VOO returned +20.08%. Year to date, CWS is up 3.90% versus a gain of 13.37% for VOO.
Over three years, CWS compounded at +9.58% per year against +21.29% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +8.25% and +12.89% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +14.54% annualized vs +11.57%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
CWS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.1% compared with 15.4% for VOO. 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 -33.8% for CWS and -34.3% for VOO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CWS charges 0.65% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $3 annually, a gap of $62 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CWS currently yields 0.29% against 1.08% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
70.6% of CWS's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 2.1% of VOO's money is in holdings CWS also owns.
Most of CWS is already inside VOO. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 48 days apart, CWS as of Aug 17, 2026 and VOO as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
19 positions in common, counted across the 26 positions we hold weights for in CWS and 505 in VOO, against full books of 27 and 509.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 478 positions for VOO that do not appear in our book for CWS (97.4% of the fund), and 7 for CWS that do not appear in VOO (29.4%).
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 CWS | Weight in VOO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIXComfort Systems USA Inc. | 7.58% | 0.11% | 7.47% |
| CASYCaseys General | 5.84% | 0.05% | 5.79% |
| APHAmphenol Corp. Class A | 4.72% | 0.34% | 4.38% |
| HSICHenry Schein Inc | 4.42% | 0.01% | 4.41% |
| TMOThermo Fisherscientific Inc. | 3.83% | 0.29% | 3.54% |
| MCKMckesson Corp. | 3.94% | 0.14% | 3.80% |
| AWKAmerican Water Works Co. Inc. | 3.84% | 0.04% | 3.80% |
| SYKStryker Corp 3.375 11/25 | 3.54% | 0.17% | 3.37% |
| MCOMoody'S Corp. | 3.59% | 0.11% | 3.48% |
| ICEInternational Exchange, Inc. | 3.57% | 0.11% | 3.46% |
70.6% of CWS 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, CWS or VOO?
CWS has an expense ratio of 0.65% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $62 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CWS or VOO?
Over the past year CWS returned +4.08% vs +20.08% for VOO, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), CWS annualized +11.57% vs +14.54% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, CWS or VOO?
CWS has been the more volatile fund at 16.1% annualized versus 15.4% for VOO. Worst drawdown: CWS -33.8% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both CWS and VOO?
CWS and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, 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 CWS and VOO?
70.6% of CWS's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 2.1% of VOO's is in holdings CWS also owns. They hold 19 positions in common, counted across the 26 positions we hold weights for in CWS and 505 in VOO.
Which pays a higher dividend, CWS or VOO?
CWS yields 0.29% while VOO yields 1.08%, so VOO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than CWS?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VOO is less concentrated, with 36.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 51.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.