DIVL vs. MDLV

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DIVL (Madison Dividend Value ETF) and MDLV (Morgan Dempsey Large Cap Value ETF) are both Large Cap Value Equities funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, DIVL returned 14.51% vs 19.98% for MDLV. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DIVL charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.58%/yr for MDLV.

Performance

DIVL vs. MDLV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Madison Dividend Value ETF (DIVL) and Morgan Dempsey Large Cap Value ETF (MDLV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DIVL achieves a 8.16% return, which is significantly lower than MDLV's 10.21% return.

DIVL

• 1D: 0.41%
• 1M: -0.01%
• YTD: 8.16%
• 6M: 7.23%
• 1Y: 14.51%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

MDLV

• 1D: -0.45%
• 1M: 1.67%
• YTD: 10.21%
• 6M: 11.06%
• 1Y: 19.98%
• 3Y*: 12.68%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

DIVL vs. MDLV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
DIVL Madison Dividend Value ETF	8.16%	9.83%	8.81%	1.81%
MDLV Morgan Dempsey Large Cap Value ETF	10.21%	13.30%	10.16%	3.46%

Correlation

The correlation between DIVL and MDLV is 0.83, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 16, 2023	0.85

The correlation between DIVL and MDLV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

DIVL vs. MDLV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DIVL	MDLV
Energy	17.2%	14.4%
Industrials	16.8%	15.0%
Financial Services	13.8%	14.9%
Healthcare	11.6%	7.9%
Consumer Defensive	10.2%	8.2%
Technology	8.2%	9.3%
Consumer Cyclical	7.7%	3.9%
Basic Materials	6.1%	2.6%
Utilities	6.0%	15.2%
Real Estate	2.4%	2.2%
Communication Services	-	6.4%

Return for Risk

DIVL vs. MDLV — Risk / Return Rank

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

DIVL

DIVL Risk / Return Rank: 40
DIVL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
DIVL Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
DIVL Omega Ratio Rank: 38
DIVL Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
DIVL Martin Ratio Rank: 41

MDLV

MDLV Risk / Return Rank: 75
MDLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
MDLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
MDLV Omega Ratio Rank: 66
MDLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
MDLV Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

DIVL vs. MDLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Madison Dividend Value ETF (DIVL) and Morgan Dempsey Large Cap Value ETF (MDLV). 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.

	DIVL	MDLV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.38	2.29	-0.91
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.03	3.35	-1.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.39	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.10	4.70	-2.60
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.36	14.78	-8.42
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DIVL vs. MDLV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DIVL Sharpe Ratio is 1.38, which is lower than the MDLV Sharpe Ratio of 2.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DIVL and MDLV, 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

	DIVL	MDLV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.38	2.29	-0.91
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.84	1.06	-0.22

Drawdowns

DIVL vs. MDLV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DIVL drawdown since its inception was -14.06%, which is greater than MDLV's maximum drawdown of -10.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DIVL and MDLV.

Drawdown Indicators

	DIVL	MDLV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.06%	-10.71%	-3.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.93%	-4.27%	-2.66%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-10.71%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.34%	-1.08%	-2.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.56%	-2.29%	-0.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.29%	1.36%	+0.93%

Volatility

DIVL vs. MDLV - Volatility Comparison

Madison Dividend Value ETF (DIVL) has a higher volatility of 3.08% compared to Morgan Dempsey Large Cap Value ETF (MDLV) at 2.77%. This indicates that DIVL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MDLV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DIVL	MDLV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.08%	2.77%	+0.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.05%	6.57%	+1.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.55%	8.76%	+1.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.39%	10.52%	+1.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.39%	10.52%	+1.87%

DIVL vs. MDLV - Expense Ratio Comparison

DIVL has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than MDLV's 0.58% expense ratio.

Dividends

DIVL vs. MDLV - Dividend Comparison

DIVL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.77%, less than MDLV's 2.80% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
DIVL Madison Dividend Value ETF	1.77%	1.80%	2.19%	1.01%
MDLV Morgan Dempsey Large Cap Value ETF	2.80%	3.00%	2.78%	2.35%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DIVL and MDLV in my portfolio?

DIVL and MDLV have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DIVL or MDLV?

DIVL has higher volatility (3.08%) compared to MDLV (2.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DIVL dropped -14.06% vs MDLV's -10.71%.

Which ETF is better, DIVL or MDLV?

On 1-year performance, MDLV leads with 19.98% vs 14.51% for DIVL. On fees, MDLV is cheaper at 0.58% per year. On volatility, MDLV has been the lower-risk option at 2.77%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DIVL or MDLV?

Over the 1-year period, MDLV has performed better with a 19.98% return vs 14.51%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DIVL or MDLV?

MDLV is cheaper with a 0.58% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for DIVL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DIVL or MDLV?

MDLV has the higher dividend yield at 2.80%, compared with 1.77% for DIVL.

What is the main difference between DIVL and MDLV?

They also come from different issuers: Madison and Morgan Dempsey. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for DIVL and 0.58% for MDLV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MDLV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.29 vs 1.38), 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.