DDIV vs. USVM

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

DDIV (First Trust Dorsey Wright Momentum & Dividend ETF) and USVM (VictoryShares US Small Mid Cap Value Momentum ETF) are both Momentum funds - DDIV tracks the Dorsey Wright Momentum Plus Dividend Yield Index while USVM tracks the Nasdaq Victory US Small Mid Cap Value Momentum Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, DDIV returned 11.45%/yr vs 11.31%/yr for USVM. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DDIV charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.29%/yr for USVM.

Performance

DDIV vs. USVM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Dorsey Wright Momentum & Dividend ETF (DDIV) and VictoryShares US Small Mid Cap Value Momentum ETF (USVM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DDIV achieves a 12.53% return, which is significantly lower than USVM's 20.14% return.

DDIV

• 1D: 0.88%
• 1M: 2.75%
• 6M: 9.42%
• YTD: 12.53%
• 1Y: 23.80%
• 3Y*: 20.05%
• 5Y*: 11.45%
• 10Y*: 9.90%

USVM

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: 0.93%
• 6M: 14.65%
• YTD: 20.14%
• 1Y: 30.87%
• 3Y*: 19.18%
• 5Y*: 11.31%
• 10Y*: —

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

DDIV vs. USVM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DDIV First Trust Dorsey Wright Momentum & Dividend ETF	12.53%	12.23%	27.18%	9.95%	-12.44%	39.96%	-3.59%	32.40%	-16.50%	3.28%
USVM VictoryShares US Small Mid Cap Value Momentum ETF	20.14%	10.56%	16.59%	18.90%	-13.23%	24.44%	11.56%	21.65%	-9.39%	2.06%

Correlation

The correlation between DDIV and USVM is 0.75, 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	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 26, 2017	0.83

The correlation between DDIV and USVM shifts across timeframes, from 0.75 (1 year) to 0.86 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

DDIV vs. USVM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DDIV	USVM
Energy	27.0%	5.1%
Financial Services	22.2%	25.1%
Real Estate	15.4%	9.6%
Consumer Defensive	7.6%	3.7%
Industrials	6.4%	10.6%
Consumer Cyclical	5.4%	12.3%
Utilities	5.2%	7.4%
Healthcare	4.0%	12.8%
Basic Materials	3.0%	1.7%
Communication Services	2.8%	3.0%
Technology	1.0%	8.7%

Return for Risk

DDIV vs. USVM — Risk / Return Rank

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

DDIV

DDIV Risk / Return Rank: 60
DDIV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
DDIV Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
DDIV Omega Ratio Rank: 63
DDIV Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
DDIV Martin Ratio Rank: 56

USVM

USVM Risk / Return Rank: 84
USVM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
USVM Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
USVM Omega Ratio Rank: 79
USVM Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
USVM Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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.

DDIV vs. USVM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Dorsey Wright Momentum & Dividend ETF (DDIV) and VictoryShares US Small Mid Cap Value Momentum ETF (USVM). 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.

	DDIV	USVM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.67	2.09	-0.42
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.35	3.06	-0.71
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.37	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.11	3.71	-1.60
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.77	13.98	-6.21

DDIV vs. USVM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DDIV Sharpe Ratio is 1.67, which is comparable to the USVM Sharpe Ratio of 2.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DDIV and USVM, 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

DDIV vs. USVM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DDIV drawdown since its inception was -47.56%, which is greater than USVM's maximum drawdown of -42.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DDIV and USVM.

Drawdown Indicators

	DDIV	USVM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.56%	-42.38%	-5.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.31%	-8.36%	-2.95%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.97%	-24.34%	+5.37%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.10%	-25.27%	+4.17%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.56%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.92%	+0.92%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.97%	-7.81%	+1.84%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.07%	2.21%	+0.86%

Volatility

DDIV vs. USVM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Dorsey Wright Momentum & Dividend ETF (DDIV) is 3.09%, while VictoryShares US Small Mid Cap Value Momentum ETF (USVM) has a volatility of 3.46%. This indicates that DDIV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than USVM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DDIV	USVM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.09%	3.46%	-0.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.43%	10.86%	+0.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.32%	14.83%	-0.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.41%	19.57%	-1.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.89%	21.91%	-2.02%

DDIV vs. USVM - Expense Ratio Comparison

DDIV has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than USVM's 0.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

DDIV vs. USVM - Dividend Comparison

DDIV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.55%, less than USVM's 1.83% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DDIV First Trust Dorsey Wright Momentum & Dividend ETF	1.55%	1.94%	2.22%	3.18%	3.60%	2.43%	2.63%	2.93%	3.27%	0.00%
USVM VictoryShares US Small Mid Cap Value Momentum ETF	1.83%	1.84%	1.75%	1.63%	1.43%	0.70%	1.21%	1.77%	1.43%	0.65%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DDIV and USVM in my portfolio?

DDIV and USVM have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DDIV or USVM?

USVM has higher volatility (3.46%) compared to DDIV (3.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DDIV dropped -47.56% vs USVM's -42.38%.

Which ETF is better, DDIV or USVM?

On 5-year performance, DDIV leads with 11.45% vs 11.31% for USVM. On fees, USVM is cheaper at 0.29% per year. On volatility, DDIV has been the lower-risk option at 3.09%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DDIV or USVM?

Over the 5-year period, DDIV has performed better with a 11.45% return vs 11.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DDIV or USVM?

USVM is cheaper with a 0.29% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for DDIV.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DDIV or USVM?

USVM has the higher dividend yield at 1.83%, compared with 1.55% for DDIV.

What is the main difference between DDIV and USVM?

DDIV tracks Dorsey Wright Momentum Plus Dividend Yield Index, while USVM tracks Nasdaq Victory US Small Mid Cap Value Momentum Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Victory Capital. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for DDIV and 0.29% for USVM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

USVM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.09 vs 1.67), 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.