DVOL vs. SMLV

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about First Trust Dorsey Wright Momentum & Low Volatility ETF (DVOL) and SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF (SMLV).

DVOL and SMLV are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. DVOL is a passively managed fund by First Trust that tracks the performance of the Dorsey Wright Momentum Plus Low Volatility Index. It was launched on Sep 5, 2018. SMLV is a passively managed fund by State Street that tracks the performance of the SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index. It was launched on Feb 20, 2013. Both DVOL and SMLV are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

DVOL vs. SMLV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Dorsey Wright Momentum & Low Volatility ETF (DVOL) and SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF (SMLV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

DVOL vs. SMLV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
DVOL First Trust Dorsey Wright Momentum & Low Volatility ETF	-1.24%	4.30%	24.84%	5.39%	-16.10%	30.08%	11.15%	26.10%	-9.89%
SMLV SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF	5.10%	5.66%	16.77%	7.52%	-7.69%	27.67%	-1.55%	24.10%	-14.86%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DVOL achieves a -1.24% return, which is significantly lower than SMLV's 5.10% return.

DVOL

• 1D: 2.56%
• 1M: -5.60%
• YTD: -1.24%
• 6M: -2.13%
• 1Y: -2.06%
• 3Y*: 11.56%
• 5Y*: 7.70%
• 10Y*: —

SMLV

• 1D: 1.29%
• 1M: -2.65%
• YTD: 5.10%
• 6M: 7.05%
• 1Y: 14.56%
• 3Y*: 12.30%
• 5Y*: 6.79%
• 10Y*: 9.50%

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

DVOL vs. SMLV - Expense Ratio Comparison

DVOL has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than SMLV's 0.12% expense ratio.

DVOL

First Trust Dorsey Wright Momentum & Low Volatility ETF

SMLV

SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF

Return for Risk

DVOL vs. SMLV — Risk / Return Rank

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

DVOL

DVOL Risk / Return Rank: 9
DVOL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
DVOL Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
DVOL Omega Ratio Rank: 8
DVOL Calmar Ratio Rank: 11
DVOL Martin Ratio Rank: 10

SMLV

SMLV Risk / Return Rank: 47
SMLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
SMLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
SMLV Omega Ratio Rank: 42
SMLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
SMLV Martin Ratio Rank: 48

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.

DVOL vs. SMLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Dorsey Wright Momentum & Low Volatility ETF (DVOL) and SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF (SMLV). 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.

	DVOL	SMLV	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.13	0.78	-0.92
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-0.08	1.21	-1.29
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.99	1.16	-0.17
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.08	1.31	-1.39
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-0.25	4.41	-4.65
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DVOL vs. SMLV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DVOL Sharpe Ratio is -0.13, which is lower than the SMLV Sharpe Ratio of 0.78. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DVOL and SMLV, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DVOL	SMLV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.13	0.78	-0.92
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54	0.37	+0.17
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.45	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.49	0.52	-0.03

Correlation

The correlation between DVOL and SMLV is 0.59, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

DVOL vs. SMLV - Dividend Comparison

DVOL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.70%, less than SMLV's 2.52% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DVOL First Trust Dorsey Wright Momentum & Low Volatility ETF	0.70%	0.86%	0.67%	1.28%	1.37%	0.47%	0.60%	1.79%	0.39%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SMLV SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF	2.52%	2.74%	2.68%	2.68%	2.40%	2.12%	2.47%	2.62%	3.15%	7.92%	3.04%	2.63%

Drawdowns

DVOL vs. SMLV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DVOL drawdown since its inception was -38.26%, smaller than the maximum SMLV drawdown of -42.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DVOL and SMLV.

Drawdown Indicators

	DVOL	SMLV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.26%	-42.45%	+4.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.85%	-11.10%	+0.25%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.65%	-20.40%	-4.25%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-42.45%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.51%	-4.33%	-3.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.27%	-5.52%	-1.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.53%	3.31%	+0.22%

Volatility

DVOL vs. SMLV - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Dorsey Wright Momentum & Low Volatility ETF (DVOL) and SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF (SMLV) have volatilities of 4.72% and 4.80%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DVOL	SMLV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.72%	4.80%	-0.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.83%	10.57%	-1.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.46%	18.66%	-3.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.39%	18.30%	-3.91%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.81%	20.96%	-3.15%