DIEM vs. LVHD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DIEM (Franklin Emerging Market Core Dividend Tilt Index ETF) and LVHD (Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DIEM is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the Morningstar Emerging Markets Dividend Enhanced Select Index, while LVHD is a Volatility Hedged Equity fund tracking the QS Low Volatility High Dividend Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, DIEM returned 11.49%/yr vs 6.06%/yr for LVHD. At a 0.40 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. DIEM charges 0.19%/yr vs 0.27%/yr for LVHD.

Performance

DIEM vs. LVHD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Franklin Emerging Market Core Dividend Tilt Index ETF (DIEM) and Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF (LVHD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DIEM achieves a 32.78% return, which is significantly higher than LVHD's 6.72% return.

DIEM

• 1D: -1.37%
• 1M: 12.08%
• YTD: 32.78%
• 6M: 35.57%
• 1Y: 60.54%
• 3Y*: 28.35%
• 5Y*: 11.49%
• 10Y*: —

LVHD

• 1D: -0.14%
• 1M: -1.27%
• YTD: 6.72%
• 6M: 6.51%
• 1Y: 9.60%
• 3Y*: 9.33%
• 5Y*: 6.06%
• 10Y*: 8.03%

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

DIEM vs. LVHD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DIEM Franklin Emerging Market Core Dividend Tilt Index ETF	32.78%	30.81%	12.29%	15.41%	-20.61%	6.92%	1.27%	12.23%	-11.29%	27.61%
LVHD Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF	6.72%	7.50%	10.18%	-0.95%	-1.82%	26.90%	-1.28%	22.91%	-5.58%	14.25%

Correlation

The correlation between DIEM and LVHD is 0.15, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.15
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.28
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.35
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 6, 2016	0.40

Over the past year, the correlation between DIEM and LVHD has dropped to 0.15 - well below their long-term average of 0.40, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

DIEM vs. LVHD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DIEM	LVHD
Technology	40.3%	5.9%
Financial Services	23.3%	8.6%
Consumer Cyclical	6.7%	6.8%
Energy	6.0%	6.7%
Communication Services	5.6%	3.8%
Industrials	4.7%	4.6%
Basic Materials	4.2%	-
Utilities	4.1%	25.5%
Consumer Defensive	2.9%	18.5%
Real Estate	1.6%	15.0%
Healthcare	0.6%	4.6%

Return for Risk

DIEM vs. LVHD — Risk / Return Rank

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

DIEM

DIEM Risk / Return Rank: 90
DIEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
DIEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
DIEM Omega Ratio Rank: 92
DIEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
DIEM Martin Ratio Rank: 89

LVHD

LVHD Risk / Return Rank: 28
LVHD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
LVHD Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
LVHD Omega Ratio Rank: 25
LVHD Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
LVHD Martin Ratio Rank: 28

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.

DIEM vs. LVHD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin Emerging Market Core Dividend Tilt Index ETF (DIEM) and Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF (LVHD). 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.

	DIEM	LVHD	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.35	1.01	+2.34
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.26	1.51	+2.75
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.62	1.17	+0.45
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.93	1.56	+3.37
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	20.34	3.98	+16.36
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DIEM vs. LVHD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DIEM Sharpe Ratio is 3.35, which is higher than the LVHD Sharpe Ratio of 1.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DIEM and LVHD, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DIEM	LVHD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.35	1.01	+2.34
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.68	0.47	+0.21
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.52	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.55	0.56	-0.01

Drawdowns

DIEM vs. LVHD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DIEM drawdown since its inception was -38.61%, roughly equal to the maximum LVHD drawdown of -37.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DIEM and LVHD.

Drawdown Indicators

	DIEM	LVHD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.61%	-37.32%	-1.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.33%	-6.17%	-6.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.82%	-14.29%	-2.53%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.34%	-16.75%	-16.59%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.61%	-37.32%	-1.29%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.37%	-4.84%	+3.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.72%	-4.05%	-5.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.99%	2.42%	+0.57%

Volatility

DIEM vs. LVHD - Volatility Comparison

Franklin Emerging Market Core Dividend Tilt Index ETF (DIEM) has a higher volatility of 8.52% compared to Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF (LVHD) at 2.86%. This indicates that DIEM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than LVHD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DIEM	LVHD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.52%	2.86%	+5.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.91%	6.64%	+9.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.17%	9.52%	+8.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.93%	12.87%	+4.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.59%	15.50%	+2.09%

DIEM vs. LVHD - Expense Ratio Comparison

DIEM has a 0.19% expense ratio, which is lower than LVHD's 0.27% 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

DIEM vs. LVHD - Dividend Comparison

DIEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.30%, less than LVHD's 3.40% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
DIEM Franklin Emerging Market Core Dividend Tilt Index ETF	2.30%	2.99%	4.92%	4.45%	6.31%	4.06%	2.75%	5.98%	3.87%	2.61%	0.35%
LVHD Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF	3.40%	3.35%	4.23%	3.55%	3.30%	2.56%	3.27%	3.30%	3.82%	3.33%	2.48%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DIEM and LVHD in my portfolio?

DIEM and LVHD have a correlation of 0.15, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DIEM or LVHD?

DIEM has higher volatility (8.52%) compared to LVHD (2.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DIEM dropped -38.61% vs LVHD's -37.32%.

Which ETF is better, DIEM or LVHD?

On 5-year performance, DIEM leads with 11.49% vs 6.06% for LVHD. On fees, DIEM is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, LVHD has been the lower-risk option at 2.86%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DIEM or LVHD?

Over the 5-year period, DIEM has performed better with a 11.49% return vs 6.06%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DIEM or LVHD?

DIEM is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.27% for LVHD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DIEM or LVHD?

LVHD has the higher dividend yield at 3.40%, compared with 2.30% for DIEM.

What is the main difference between DIEM and LVHD?

DIEM is categorized as Emerging Markets Diversified, while LVHD is Volatility Hedged Equity. DIEM tracks Morningstar Emerging Markets Dividend Enhanced Select Index, while LVHD tracks QS Low Volatility High Dividend Index. Their fees differ too: 0.19% for DIEM and 0.27% for LVHD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DIEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.35 vs 1.01), 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.