DAK vs. USMV
DAK (Dakota Active Equity ETF) and USMV (iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DAK is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Dakota Wealth, while USMV is a Low Volatility fund tracking the MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Index. DAK is actively managed, while USMV is passively managed. Over the past year, DAK returned 20.52% vs 7.68% for USMV. Their 0.56 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. DAK charges 0.43%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for USMV.
Performance
DAK vs. USMV - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DAK achieves a 10.36% return, which is significantly higher than USMV's 4.76% return.
DAK
- 1D
- 0.74%
- 1M
- 0.91%
- 6M
- 9.09%
- YTD
- 10.36%
- 1Y
- 20.52%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 17.77%
USMV
- 1D
- 0.09%
- 1M
- 0.04%
- 6M
- 3.84%
- YTD
- 4.76%
- 1Y
- 7.68%
- 3Y*
- 11.04%
- 5Y*
- 6.87%
- 10Y*
- 9.63%
- ALL TIME*
- 11.66%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1.23K | $2.63K | $4.01K | |
| $217.70M | $221.64M | $218.77M |
DAK vs. USMV - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
DAK Dakota Active Equity ETF | 10.36% | 6.75% |
USMV iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF | 4.76% | 1.21% |
Correlation
The correlation between DAK and USMV is 0.55, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.55 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 30, 2025 | 0.56 |
The correlation between DAK and USMV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.55 to 0.56 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
DAK vs. USMV — Risk / Return Rank
DAK
USMV
DAK vs. USMV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dakota Active Equity ETF (DAK) and iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (USMV). 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.
| DAK | USMV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.81 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.08 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.30 | 1.15 | +0.14 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.42 | 1.15 | +1.28 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.16 | 3.74 | +6.43 |
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Drawdowns
DAK vs. USMV - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DAK drawdown since its inception was -7.87%, smaller than the maximum USMV drawdown of -33.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DAK and USMV.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DAK | USMV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -7.87% | -33.10% | +25.23% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.87% | -6.46% | -1.41% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -9.36% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -17.93% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -33.10% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.55% | -0.64% | +0.09% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -1.18% | -2.86% | +1.68% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.87% | 1.98% | -0.11% |
Volatility
DAK vs. USMV - Volatility Comparison
Dakota Active Equity ETF (DAK) and iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (USMV) have volatilities of 2.91% and 2.80%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| DAK | USMV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.91% | 2.80% | +0.11% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.11% | 6.44% | +2.67% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 11.39% | 8.56% | +2.83% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 11.39% | 12.38% | -0.99% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 11.39% | 14.50% | -3.11% |
DAK vs. USMV - Expense Ratio Comparison
DAK has a 0.43% expense ratio, which is higher than USMV's 0.15% expense ratio.
Dividends
DAK vs. USMV - Dividend Comparison
DAK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.75%, less than USMV's 1.47% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DAK Dakota Active Equity ETF | 0.75% | 0.42% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
USMV iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF | 1.47% | 1.49% | 1.67% | 1.82% | 1.62% | 1.26% | 1.81% | 1.88% | 2.12% | 1.77% | 2.22% | 2.02% |
Frequently Asked Questions
DAK and USMV have a correlation of 0.55, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
DAK has higher volatility (2.91%) compared to USMV (2.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DAK dropped -7.87% vs USMV's -33.10%.
On 1-year performance, DAK leads with 20.52% vs 7.68% for USMV. On fees, USMV is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, USMV has been the lower-risk option at 2.80%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, DAK has performed better with a 20.52% return vs 7.68%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
USMV is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.43% for DAK.
USMV has the higher dividend yield at 1.47%, compared with 0.75% for DAK.
DAK is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while USMV is Low Volatility. They also come from different issuers: Dakota Wealth and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.43% for DAK and 0.15% for USMV.
DAK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.68 vs 0.87), 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.
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