CWS ETF — AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF

AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF (CWS)

Updated October 16, 2026.

CWS is an ETF. its distribution rate is 0.31%, its trailing-12-month yield is 0.31%, its expense ratio is 0.65%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 94/100 (Safe). Total return is 185.3% over the past 10.1 years, 128.8 points behind SPY at 314.1%.

AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF is an ETF that invests primarily in a focused group of U.S. exchange-listed equities selected using a proprietary research model developed by Edward J. Elfenbein, targeting fundamentally sound companies with consistent financial results and high earnings quality. The fund distributes annually and carries a modest distribution rate with an expense ratio of 0.65%. It may appeal to equity investors seeking a concentrated approach to U.S. stock selection with disciplined fundamental analysis.

CWS performance versus SPY

Price and return data through 2026-10-16.

Total return is 185.3% over the past 10.1 years, 128.8 points behind SPY at 314.1%. Over the past year its total return — price change plus distributions reinvested — is 1.4%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 11.9%.

CWS key facts

Distribution Safety Score™

94 · Safe

Safety-Adjusted Yield

0.29%

Issuer

AdvisorShares

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Equity

Inception date

09/20/2016

Expense ratio

0.65%

Distribution rate

0.31%

Distribution frequency

Annual

Trailing yield

0.31%

Last close

$68.19 (as of 2026-10-16)

AUM

$119,348,428

Average volume

3610.0

Dividend

$0.21

Ex-dividend date

12/22/2025

Payment date

12/29/2025

Beta

0.86

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (0.31%) uses calculation basis unavailable. Issuer rates can use a different denominator and date, including ex-date NAV. Trailing-12-month yield (0.31%) is the sum of split-adjusted cash distributions with ex-dates in the last 12 months, divided by the published price. It lags a recent raise or cut. Total return uses split-adjusted close with distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date) from the first stored bar on or after inception through the latest bar, compared with the same window on the benchmark. That is the security's total return, not your personal gain/loss.

Yield and safety methodology · Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology

Sources and review

Primary sources: AdvisorShares; prices and distributions from Dividend Vision, derived from vendor EOD data.

Reviewed by Bert Sweet, CEO and Co-owner of Dividend Vision. Methodology: Distribution Safety Score.

CWS risks and drawbacks

CWS's current distribution rate is moderate, not a high-yield payout — the strategy is dividend quality more than maximum income. Payments are annual, so cash flow is lumpy versus a monthly fund. Total return has trailed SPY over the available window. The deepest 1-year drawdown on record here is 11.9%.

Who may consider CWS — and who may not

CWS may suit someone looking for a high Distribution Safety Score. It is a weaker fit for investors who need monthly cash flow (CWS pays annual); investors hunting double-digit covered-call yields; investors whose main goal is matching SPY total return. This is educational context, not a recommendation to buy or sell.

More on CWS

• All tickers starting with C

Frequently asked questions

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