BKLC vs. SMLV

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

BKLC (BNY Mellon US Large Cap Core Equity ETF) and SMLV (SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BKLC is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Morningstar US Large Cap Index, while SMLV is a Volatility Hedged Equity fund tracking the SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, BKLC returned 13.79%/yr vs 8.66%/yr for SMLV. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BKLC charges 0.00%/yr vs 0.12%/yr for SMLV.

Performance

BKLC vs. SMLV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BNY Mellon US Large Cap Core Equity ETF (BKLC) and SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF (SMLV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BKLC achieves a 9.04% return, which is significantly lower than SMLV's 18.33% return.

BKLC

• 1D: 0.43%
• 1M: 0.06%
• YTD: 9.04%
• 6M: 9.42%
• 1Y: 24.38%
• 3Y*: 21.79%
• 5Y*: 13.79%
• 10Y*: —

SMLV

• 1D: 0.75%
• 1M: 7.09%
• YTD: 18.33%
• 6M: 15.42%
• 1Y: 26.61%
• 3Y*: 16.39%
• 5Y*: 8.66%
• 10Y*: 10.74%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

BKLC vs. SMLV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
BKLC BNY Mellon US Large Cap Core Equity ETF	9.04%	18.06%	25.56%	30.88%	-20.52%	27.41%	37.31%
SMLV SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF	18.33%	5.66%	16.77%	7.52%	-7.69%	27.67%	44.10%

Correlation

The correlation between BKLC and SMLV is 0.59, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.59
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.59
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 9, 2020	0.64

The correlation between BKLC and SMLV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.59 to 0.66 - a consistent structural relationship.

BKLC vs. SMLV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BKLC	SMLV
Technology	38.2%	11.2%
Communication Services	10.8%	2.2%
Financial Services	10.7%	30.5%
Consumer Cyclical	10.0%	8.7%
Healthcare	8.4%	8.7%
Industrials	7.8%	14.3%
Consumer Defensive	4.4%	4.3%
Energy	3.2%	1.8%
Utilities	2.5%	2.9%
Real Estate	1.6%	12.2%
Basic Materials	1.6%	3.2%

Return for Risk

BKLC vs. SMLV — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

BKLC

BKLC Risk / Return Rank: 68
BKLC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
BKLC Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
BKLC Omega Ratio Rank: 69
BKLC Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
BKLC Martin Ratio Rank: 73

SMLV

SMLV Risk / Return Rank: 63
SMLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
SMLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
SMLV Omega Ratio Rank: 58
SMLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
SMLV Martin Ratio Rank: 64

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

BKLC vs. SMLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BNY Mellon US Large Cap Core Equity ETF (BKLC) and SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF (SMLV). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	BKLC	SMLV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.94	1.70	+0.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.60	2.43	+0.18
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.31	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.69	3.64	-0.95
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.95	10.07	+1.87

BKLC vs. SMLV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BKLC Sharpe Ratio is 1.94, which is comparable to the SMLV Sharpe Ratio of 1.70. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BKLC and SMLV, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

BKLC vs. SMLV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BKLC drawdown since its inception was -26.14%, smaller than the maximum SMLV drawdown of -42.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BKLC and SMLV.

Drawdown Indicators

	BKLC	SMLV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.14%	-42.45%	+16.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.10%	-7.34%	-1.76%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.05%	-20.40%	+1.35%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.14%	-20.40%	-5.74%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-42.45%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.43%	0.00%	-2.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.26%	-5.45%	+0.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.05%	2.66%	-0.61%

Volatility

BKLC vs. SMLV - Volatility Comparison

BNY Mellon US Large Cap Core Equity ETF (BKLC) has a higher volatility of 4.60% compared to SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF (SMLV) at 3.80%. This indicates that BKLC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SMLV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BKLC	SMLV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.60%	3.80%	+0.80%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.87%	9.81%	+0.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.63%	15.74%	-3.11%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.23%	18.29%	-1.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.47%	20.95%	-3.48%

BKLC vs. SMLV - Expense Ratio Comparison

BKLC has a 0.00% expense ratio, which is lower than SMLV's 0.12% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

BKLC vs. SMLV - Dividend Comparison

BKLC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%, less than SMLV's 2.24% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BKLC BNY Mellon US Large Cap Core Equity ETF	1.03%	1.05%	1.22%	1.35%	1.64%	1.10%	0.84%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SMLV SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF	2.24%	2.74%	2.68%	2.68%	2.40%	2.12%	2.47%	2.62%	3.15%	7.92%	3.04%	2.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BKLC and SMLV in my portfolio?

BKLC and SMLV have a correlation of 0.59, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BKLC or SMLV?

BKLC has higher volatility (4.60%) compared to SMLV (3.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BKLC dropped -26.14% vs SMLV's -42.45%.

Which ETF is better, BKLC or SMLV?

On 5-year performance, BKLC leads with 13.79% vs 8.66% for SMLV. On fees, BKLC is cheaper at 0.00% per year. On volatility, SMLV has been the lower-risk option at 3.80%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BKLC or SMLV?

Over the 5-year period, BKLC has performed better with a 13.79% return vs 8.66%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BKLC or SMLV?

BKLC is cheaper with a 0.00% expense ratio, compared with 0.12% for SMLV.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BKLC or SMLV?

SMLV has the higher dividend yield at 2.24%, compared with 1.03% for BKLC.

What is the main difference between BKLC and SMLV?

BKLC is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while SMLV is Volatility Hedged Equity. BKLC tracks Morningstar US Large Cap Index, while SMLV tracks SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index. They also come from different issuers: BNY Mellon and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.00% for BKLC and 0.12% for SMLV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BKLC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.94 vs 1.70), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.