PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
EDOW vs. USMV
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

EDOW vs. USMV

Last updated Jul 17, 2026
Documentation

EDOW (First Trust Dow 30 Equal Weight ETF) and USMV (iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - EDOW tracks the Dow Jones Industrail Average Equal Weight TR while USMV tracks the MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, EDOW returned 9.72%/yr vs 6.96%/yr for USMV. Their correlation of 0.80 suggests significant overlap in exposure. EDOW charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for USMV.

Performance

EDOW vs. USMV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Dow 30 Equal Weight ETF (EDOW) and iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (USMV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EDOW achieves a 9.11% return, which is significantly higher than USMV's 3.90% return.

EDOW

1D
0.86%
1M
1.31%
6M
6.50%
YTD
9.11%
1Y
17.91%
3Y*
16.14%
5Y*
9.72%
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%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

EDOW vs. USMV - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
EDOW
First Trust Dow 30 Equal Weight ETF		9.11%15.46%13.17%15.47%-7.45%18.82%6.64%24.69%-2.04%11.90%
USMV
iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF		3.90%7.65%15.74%10.33%-9.43%20.85%5.64%27.69%1.33%7.03%

Correlation

The correlation between EDOW and USMV is 0.73, 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

0.73

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.80

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.83

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 9, 2017

0.80

The correlation between EDOW and USMV shifts across timeframes, from 0.73 (1 year) to 0.83 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

EDOW vs. USMV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
EDOW
USMV

Technology

22.7%
33.9%

Financial Services

16.9%
11.7%

Industrials

13.6%
6.1%

Healthcare

13.2%
12.6%

Consumer Cyclical

12.2%
5.7%

Consumer Defensive

9.2%
9.4%

Communication Services

6.2%
6.2%

Energy

3.0%
2.7%

Basic Materials

3.0%
2.4%

Real Estate

-

2.5%

Utilities

-

6.9%

Technology

EDOW
22.7%
USMV
33.9%

Financial Services

EDOW
16.9%
USMV
11.7%

Industrials

EDOW
13.6%
USMV
6.1%

Healthcare

EDOW
13.2%
USMV
12.6%

Consumer Cyclical

EDOW
12.2%
USMV
5.7%

Consumer Defensive

EDOW
9.2%
USMV
9.4%

Communication Services

EDOW
6.2%
USMV
6.2%

Energy

EDOW
3.0%
USMV
2.7%

Basic Materials

EDOW
3.0%
USMV
2.4%

Real Estate

EDOW

-

USMV
2.5%

Utilities

EDOW

-

USMV
6.9%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

First Trust Dow 30 Equal Weight ETF

iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF

Often compared with EDOW:
EDOW vs. DIAEDOW vs. DGTEDOW vs. DJDEDOW vs. RSPEDOW vs. QQQEEDOW vs. VOOEDOW vs. SCHD
Often compared with USMV:
USMV vs. SPLVUSMV vs. SPYUSMV vs. VOOUSMV vs. QUALUSMV vs. VFMVUSMV vs. ACWVUSMV vs. VTI

Return for Risk

EDOW vs. USMV — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
EDOW
EDOW Risk / Return Rank: 6060
Overall Rank
EDOW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6464
Sharpe Ratio Rank
EDOW Sortino Ratio Rank: 6868
Sortino Ratio Rank
EDOW Omega Ratio Rank: 6161
Omega Ratio Rank
EDOW Calmar Ratio Rank: 5151
Calmar Ratio Rank
EDOW Martin Ratio Rank: 5555
Martin Ratio Rank
USMV
USMV Risk / Return Rank: 2525
Overall Rank
USMV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2525
Sharpe Ratio Rank
USMV Sortino Ratio Rank: 2323
Sortino Ratio Rank
USMV Omega Ratio Rank: 2222
Omega Ratio Rank
USMV Calmar Ratio Rank: 2525
Calmar Ratio Rank
USMV Martin Ratio Rank: 2929
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

EDOW vs. USMV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Dow 30 Equal Weight ETF (EDOW) 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.

EDOWUSMVDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.69
0.74

+0.95

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.49
1.10

+1.39

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.30

1.13

+0.17

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.06

0.98

+1.08

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

7.65

3.18

+4.47

EDOW vs. USMV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EDOW Sharpe Ratio is 1.69, which is higher than the USMV Sharpe Ratio of 0.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EDOW and USMV, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Loading charts...

Drawdowns

EDOW vs. USMV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EDOW drawdown since its inception was -33.72%, roughly equal to the maximum USMV drawdown of -33.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EDOW and USMV.

Loading charts...

Drawdown Indicators

EDOWUSMVDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-33.72%

-33.10%

-0.62%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-8.73%

-6.46%

-2.27%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-15.51%

-9.36%

-6.15%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-21.98%

-17.93%

-4.05%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-33.10%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.57%

-1.24%

+0.67%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-4.03%

-2.87%

-1.16%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.35%

1.98%

+0.37%

Volatility

EDOW vs. USMV - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Dow 30 Equal Weight ETF (EDOW) and iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (USMV) have volatilities of 3.10% and 3.00%, 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.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

EDOWUSMVDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.10%

3.00%

+0.10%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

8.34%

6.41%

+1.93%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

10.68%

8.53%

+2.15%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

14.23%

12.38%

+1.85%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

17.67%

14.50%

+3.17%

EDOW vs. USMV - Expense Ratio Comparison

EDOW has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than USMV's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

EDOW vs. USMV - Dividend Comparison

EDOW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.25%, less than USMV's 1.49% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
EDOW
First Trust Dow 30 Equal Weight ETF		1.25%1.31%1.65%1.93%1.91%1.52%1.84%1.88%1.82%0.75%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

EDOW and USMV have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

EDOW has higher volatility (3.10%) compared to USMV (3.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EDOW dropped -33.72% vs USMV's -33.10%.

On 5-year performance, EDOW leads with 9.72% 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, EDOW has performed better with a 9.72% 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 0.50% for EDOW.

USMV has the higher dividend yield at 1.49%, compared with 1.25% for EDOW.

EDOW tracks Dow Jones Industrail Average Equal Weight TR, while USMV tracks MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for EDOW and 0.15% for USMV.

EDOW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.69 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for EDOW and USMV

Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.

Open Portfolio Optimizer