AOR vs AOA: returns, risk and drawdowns compared
iShares Core Growth Allocation ETF against iShares Core Aggressive Allocation ETF, over the same 17 years (December 2008 to October 2026) with dividends reinvested.
Data updated October 2026
From December 2008 to October 2026, AOR returned 7.8% a year and AOA 10.9% a year on average, so AOA came out ahead by 3.2% a year. AOA was the more volatile of the two (12.9% against 10.0% a year), and the deepest falls from a month-end high were 20.7% for AOR and 23.0% for AOA.
The correlation of monthly returns was 0.93: they moved almost in lockstep. Over 180 rolling 3-year periods, AOR did better in 4% and AOA in 96%.
Side by side
| AOR | AOA | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual return (CAGR) | +7.8% | +10.9% |
| Total return | +282% | +540% |
| Annual volatility | 10.0% | 12.9% |
| Maximum drawdown (month-end) | −20.7% | −23.0% |
| Worst month | −9.9% | −11.9% |
| Best month | +7.5% | +10.2% |
| Positive months | 65% | 67% |
| Best year | 2009: +19.0% | 2009: +25.8% |
| Worst year | 2022: −15.6% | 2022: −16.2% |
| 1-year return | +9.1% | +12.7% |
| 5 years, a year | +6.6% | +8.6% |
| 10 years, a year | +8.2% | +10.3% |
| Trading currency | USD | USD |
First nine rows: the same 215 months for both funds. Trailing returns: to each fund’s last close.
Growth of 10,000: AOR vs AOA
Returns by calendar year
| Year | AOR | AOA |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +16.4% | +19.6% |
| 2024 | +10.7% | +13.6% |
| 2023 | +15.7% | +18.3% |
| 2022 | −15.6% | −16.2% |
| 2021 | +11.3% | +15.5% |
| 2020 | +11.6% | +12.9% |
| 2019 | +18.9% | +22.6% |
| 2018 | −5.8% | −7.9% |
| 2017 | +15.8% | +20.1% |
| 2016 | +6.7% | +7.5% |
| 2015 | −1.1% | −1.1% |
| 2014 | +7.0% | +6.0% |
| 2013 | +15.7% | +22.4% |
| 2012 | +11.4% | +15.0% |
| 2011 | +1.1% | −1.7% |
| 2010 | +11.1% | +16.7% |
| 2009 | +19.0% | +25.8% |
How the figures are calculated
Total return in the fund’s trading currency, from end-of-day prices with dividends reinvested on the ex-date. The fund’s own ongoing charges are already reflected in its price; trading costs, taxes and currency conversion are not included. Past returns do not predict future returns.
The comparison uses only the months in which both funds have prices, so the figures cover the same period even when one fund is older.
Questions
Which has returned more, AOR or AOA?
From December 2008 to October 2026, AOR returned +7.8% a year and AOA +10.9% a year, with dividends reinvested. Over rolling 3-year periods AOR did better in 4% of cases. Past returns do not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, AOR or AOA?
Over the same months annual volatility was 10.0% for AOR and 12.9% for AOA; the deepest fall from a month-end high was 20.7% and 23.0%, and the worst single month −9.9% and −11.9%.
How correlated are AOR and AOA?
The correlation of their monthly returns was 0.93: they moved almost in lockstep. Holding both adds little diversification compared with holding one.
More comparisons
Source: MarketStack end-of-day prices, total return with dividends reinvested. Figures are historical and descriptive; they are not forecasts and not investment advice. MEDGE Capital does not recommend buying or selling any instrument. Risk disclaimer.