EPMV vs. QVAL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

EPMV (Harbor Mid Cap Value 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, EPMV returned 29.98% vs 29.65% for QVAL. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. EPMV charges 0.88%/yr vs 0.28%/yr for QVAL.

Performance

EPMV vs. QVAL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Harbor Mid Cap Value ETF (EPMV) 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, EPMV achieves a 18.43% return, which is significantly higher than QVAL's 14.68% return.

EPMV

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 6.82%
• YTD: 18.43%
• 6M: 19.33%
• 1Y: 29.98%
• 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)

EPMV vs. QVAL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
EPMV Harbor Mid Cap Value ETF	18.43%	13.68%
QVAL Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF	14.68%	17.62%

Correlation

The correlation between EPMV and QVAL is 0.80, 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	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 5, 2025	0.81

The correlation between EPMV and QVAL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

EPMV vs. QVAL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EPMV	QVAL
Industrials	21.7%	15.0%
Technology	18.7%	16.7%
Financial Services	18.1%	-
Consumer Cyclical	12.2%	32.4%
Basic Materials	6.7%	7.6%
Healthcare	6.7%	11.1%
Real Estate	6.4%	2.0%
Energy	5.0%	5.5%
Utilities	3.0%	-
Consumer Defensive	1.4%	7.9%
Communication Services	-	3.8%

Return for Risk

EPMV vs. QVAL — Risk / Return Rank

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

EPMV

EPMV Risk / Return Rank: 63
EPMV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
EPMV Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
EPMV Omega Ratio Rank: 58
EPMV Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
EPMV Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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.

EPMV vs. QVAL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Harbor Mid Cap Value ETF (EPMV) 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.

	EPMV	QVAL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.99	2.07	-0.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.92	3.21	-0.28
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.35	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.43	4.93	-1.50
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.30	13.98	-2.68
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EPMV vs. QVAL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EPMV Sharpe Ratio is 1.99, which is comparable to the QVAL Sharpe Ratio of 2.07. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EPMV 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

	EPMV	QVAL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.99	2.07	-0.08
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	2.05	0.49	+1.56

Drawdowns

EPMV vs. QVAL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EPMV drawdown since its inception was -8.78%, smaller than the maximum QVAL drawdown of -51.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EPMV and QVAL.

Drawdown Indicators

	EPMV	QVAL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.78%	-51.49%	+42.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.78%	-6.04%	-2.74%
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	0.00%	-0.78%	+0.78%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.78%	-7.80%	+6.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.66%	2.13%	+0.53%

Volatility

EPMV vs. QVAL - Volatility Comparison

Harbor Mid Cap Value ETF (EPMV) has a higher volatility of 5.29% compared to Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF (QVAL) at 4.16%. This indicates that EPMV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QVAL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EPMV	QVAL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.29%	4.16%	+1.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.33%	10.06%	+1.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.19%	14.44%	+0.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.48%	21.63%	-6.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.48%	22.79%	-7.31%

EPMV vs. QVAL - Expense Ratio Comparison

EPMV has a 0.88% expense ratio, which is higher than QVAL's 0.28% expense ratio.

Dividends

EPMV vs. QVAL - Dividend Comparison

EPMV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.25%, less than QVAL's 1.46% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
EPMV Harbor Mid Cap Value ETF	1.25%	1.48%	0.00%	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 EPMV and QVAL in my portfolio?

EPMV and QVAL have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EPMV or QVAL?

EPMV has higher volatility (5.29%) compared to QVAL (4.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EPMV dropped -8.78% vs QVAL's -51.49%.

Which ETF is better, EPMV or QVAL?

On 1-year performance, EPMV leads with 29.98% vs 29.65% for QVAL. On fees, QVAL is cheaper at 0.28% per year. On volatility, QVAL has been the lower-risk option at 4.16%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EPMV or QVAL?

Over the 1-year period, EPMV has performed better with a 29.98% return vs 29.65%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EPMV or QVAL?

QVAL is cheaper with a 0.28% expense ratio, compared with 0.88% for EPMV.

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

QVAL has the higher dividend yield at 1.46%, compared with 1.25% for EPMV.

What is the main difference between EPMV and QVAL?

They also come from different issuers: Harbor and Alpha Architect. Their fees differ too: 0.88% for EPMV and 0.28% for QVAL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QVAL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.07 vs 1.99), 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.