DIVY vs. QVAL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DIVY (Tidal ETF Trust - Sound Equity Income ETF) and QVAL (Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF) are both Mid Cap Value Equities funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, DIVY returned 18.39% vs 29.65% for QVAL. Their correlation of 0.80 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DIVY charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.28%/yr for QVAL.

Performance

DIVY vs. QVAL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Tidal ETF Trust - Sound Equity Income ETF (DIVY) and Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF (QVAL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DIVY achieves a 8.18% return, which is significantly lower than QVAL's 14.68% return.

DIVY

• 1D: -1.11%
• 1M: 1.36%
• YTD: 8.18%
• 6M: 9.40%
• 1Y: 18.39%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QVAL

• 1D: -0.23%
• 1M: 4.34%
• YTD: 14.68%
• 6M: 15.27%
• 1Y: 29.65%
• 3Y*: 21.66%
• 5Y*: 12.15%
• 10Y*: 11.64%

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

DIVY vs. QVAL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
DIVY Tidal ETF Trust - Sound Equity Income ETF	8.18%	7.38%	3.53%
QVAL Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF	14.68%	10.98%	4.24%

Correlation

The correlation between DIVY and QVAL is 0.76, 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	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 24, 2024	0.80

The correlation between DIVY and QVAL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.

DIVY vs. QVAL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DIVY	QVAL
Financial Services	18.0%	-
Energy	15.3%	5.5%
Healthcare	12.6%	11.1%
Technology	9.1%	16.7%
Communication Services	9.0%	3.8%
Consumer Cyclical	8.5%	32.4%
Consumer Defensive	8.4%	7.9%
Industrials	7.1%	15.0%
Utilities	4.7%	-
Basic Materials	3.6%	7.6%
Real Estate	-	2.0%

Return for Risk

DIVY vs. QVAL — Risk / Return Rank

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

DIVY

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

QVAL

QVAL Risk / Return Rank: 69
QVAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
QVAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
QVAL Omega Ratio Rank: 57
QVAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
QVAL Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

DIVY vs. QVAL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Tidal ETF Trust - Sound Equity Income ETF (DIVY) and Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF (QVAL). 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.

	DIVY	QVAL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.42	2.07	-0.65
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.07	3.21	-1.14
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.35	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.04	4.93	-2.90
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.03	13.98	-7.95
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DIVY vs. QVAL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DIVY Sharpe Ratio is 1.42, which is lower than the QVAL Sharpe Ratio of 2.07. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DIVY and QVAL, 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

	DIVY	QVAL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.42	2.07	-0.65
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.56	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.51	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.64	0.49	+0.15

Drawdowns

DIVY vs. QVAL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DIVY drawdown since its inception was -18.35%, smaller than the maximum QVAL drawdown of -51.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DIVY and QVAL.

Drawdown Indicators

	DIVY	QVAL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.35%	-51.49%	+33.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.06%	-6.04%	-3.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-21.41%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-27.17%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-51.49%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.73%	-0.78%	-1.95%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.32%	-7.80%	+4.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.06%	2.13%	+0.93%

Volatility

DIVY vs. QVAL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Tidal ETF Trust - Sound Equity Income ETF (DIVY) is 3.19%, while Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF (QVAL) has a volatility of 4.16%. This indicates that DIVY experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QVAL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DIVY	QVAL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.19%	4.16%	-0.97%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.83%	10.06%	-1.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.02%	14.44%	-1.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.69%	21.63%	-5.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.69%	22.79%	-7.10%

DIVY vs. QVAL - Expense Ratio Comparison

DIVY has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than QVAL's 0.28% expense ratio.

Dividends

DIVY vs. QVAL - Dividend Comparison

DIVY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.13%, more than QVAL's 1.46% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
DIVY Tidal ETF Trust - Sound Equity Income ETF	3.13%	3.68%	2.94%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QVAL Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF	1.46%	1.44%	1.72%	1.76%	2.00%	1.23%	1.86%	1.99%	1.64%	1.08%	1.30%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DIVY and QVAL in my portfolio?

DIVY and QVAL have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DIVY or QVAL?

QVAL has higher volatility (4.16%) compared to DIVY (3.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DIVY dropped -18.35% vs QVAL's -51.49%.

Which ETF is better, DIVY or QVAL?

On 1-year performance, QVAL leads with 29.65% vs 18.39% for DIVY. On fees, QVAL is cheaper at 0.28% per year. On volatility, DIVY has been the lower-risk option at 3.19%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DIVY or QVAL?

Over the 1-year period, QVAL has performed better with a 29.65% return vs 18.39%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DIVY or QVAL?

QVAL is cheaper with a 0.28% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for DIVY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DIVY or QVAL?

DIVY has the higher dividend yield at 3.13%, compared with 1.46% for QVAL.

What is the main difference between DIVY and QVAL?

They also come from different issuers: Sound Income Strategies and Alpha Architect. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for DIVY and 0.28% for QVAL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QVAL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.07 vs 1.42), 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.