DEMZ vs. USMV
DEMZ (Democratic Large Cap Core ETF) and USMV (iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - DEMZ tracks the Democratic Large Cap Core Index while USMV tracks the MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, DEMZ returned 12.91%/yr vs 6.96%/yr for USMV. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DEMZ charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for USMV.
Performance
DEMZ vs. USMV - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DEMZ achieves a 11.16% return, which is significantly higher than USMV's 3.90% return.
DEMZ
- 1D
- 0.38%
- 1M
- 1.55%
- 6M
- 7.78%
- YTD
- 11.16%
- 1Y
- 22.39%
- 3Y*
- 20.59%
- 5Y*
- 12.91%
- 10Y*
- —
USMV
- 1D
- 1.08%
- 1M
- 1.27%
- 6M
- 3.44%
- YTD
- 3.90%
- 1Y
- 6.27%
- 3Y*
- 11.14%
- 5Y*
- 6.96%
- 10Y*
- 9.51%
DEMZ vs. USMV - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DEMZ Democratic Large Cap Core ETF | 11.16% | 19.84% | 22.89% | 24.43% | -19.01% | 32.65% | 11.27% |
USMV iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF | 3.90% | 7.65% | 15.74% | 10.33% | -9.43% | 20.85% | 9.01% |
Correlation
The correlation between DEMZ and USMV is 0.49, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.49 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.62 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.72 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 3, 2020 | 0.70 |
Over the past year, the correlation between DEMZ and USMV has dropped to 0.49 - well below their long-term average of 0.70, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
DEMZ vs. USMV - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
DEMZ
USMV
Technology
Communication Services
Industrials
Financial Services
Consumer Cyclical
Healthcare
Consumer Defensive
Real Estate
Basic Materials
-
Energy
-
Utilities
-
Technology
DEMZ
USMV
Communication Services
DEMZ
USMV
Industrials
DEMZ
USMV
Financial Services
DEMZ
USMV
Consumer Cyclical
DEMZ
USMV
Healthcare
DEMZ
USMV
Consumer Defensive
DEMZ
USMV
Real Estate
DEMZ
USMV
Basic Materials
DEMZ
-
USMV
Energy
DEMZ
-
USMV
Utilities
DEMZ
-
USMV
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Return for Risk
DEMZ vs. USMV — Risk / Return Rank
DEMZ
USMV
DEMZ vs. USMV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Democratic Large Cap Core ETF (DEMZ) 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.
| DEMZ | USMV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.79 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.05 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.26 | 1.13 | +0.13 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.83 | 0.98 | +0.86 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.75 | 3.18 | +3.57 |
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Drawdowns
DEMZ vs. USMV - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DEMZ drawdown since its inception was -27.17%, smaller than the maximum USMV drawdown of -33.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DEMZ and USMV.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DEMZ | USMV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -27.17% | -33.10% | +5.93% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -12.28% | -6.46% | -5.82% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -18.69% | -9.36% | -9.33% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -27.17% | -17.93% | -9.24% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -33.10% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.68% | -1.24% | +0.56% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.00% | -2.87% | -3.13% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.33% | 1.98% | +1.35% |
Volatility
DEMZ vs. USMV - Volatility Comparison
Democratic Large Cap Core ETF (DEMZ) has a higher volatility of 4.26% compared to iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (USMV) at 3.00%. This indicates that DEMZ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than USMV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| DEMZ | USMV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.26% | 3.00% | +1.26% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.91% | 6.41% | +5.50% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 14.75% | 8.53% | +6.22% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.96% | 12.38% | +5.58% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.45% | 14.50% | +2.95% |
DEMZ vs. USMV - Expense Ratio Comparison
DEMZ has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than USMV's 0.15% expense ratio.
Dividends
DEMZ vs. USMV - Dividend Comparison
DEMZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.88%, less than USMV's 1.49% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DEMZ Democratic Large Cap Core ETF | 0.88% | 0.98% | 0.53% | 0.90% | 0.98% | 2.46% | 0.27% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
USMV iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF | 1.49% | 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
DEMZ and USMV have a correlation of 0.49, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
DEMZ has higher volatility (4.26%) compared to USMV (3.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DEMZ dropped -27.17% vs USMV's -33.10%.
On 5-year performance, DEMZ leads with 12.91% vs 6.96% for USMV. On fees, USMV is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, USMV has been the lower-risk option at 3.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, DEMZ has performed better with a 12.91% return vs 6.96%. 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 0.45% for DEMZ.
USMV has the higher dividend yield at 1.49%, compared with 0.88% for DEMZ.
DEMZ tracks Democratic Large Cap Core Index, while USMV tracks MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Index. They also come from different issuers: Reflection Asset Management, LLC and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for DEMZ and 0.15% for USMV.
DEMZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.53 vs 0.74), 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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