EPSV vs. SQLV

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

EPSV (Harbor SMID Cap Value ETF) and SQLV (Royce Quant Small-Cap Quality Value ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EPSV is a Small Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Harbor, while SQLV is a Quality Factor fund actively managed by Franklin Templeton. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, EPSV returned 43.44% vs 40.94% for SQLV. Their 0.76 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. EPSV charges 0.88%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for SQLV.

Performance

EPSV vs. SQLV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Harbor SMID Cap Value ETF (EPSV) and Royce Quant Small-Cap Quality Value ETF (SQLV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EPSV achieves a 29.30% return, which is significantly higher than SQLV's 26.53% return.

EPSV

• 1D: 1.61%
• 1M: 0.73%
• 6M: 19.31%
• YTD: 29.30%
• 1Y: 43.44%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 44.00%

SQLV

• 1D: 2.40%
• 1M: 3.42%
• 6M: 19.47%
• YTD: 26.53%
• 1Y: 40.94%
• 3Y*: 13.50%
• 5Y*: 8.73%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 10.20%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
EPSV Harbor SMID Cap Value ETF	$38.47K	$26.73K	$26.53K
SQLV Royce Quant Small-Cap Quality Value ETF	$1.21M	$631.84K	$254.10K

EPSV vs. SQLV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
EPSV Harbor SMID Cap Value ETF	29.30%	22.17%
SQLV Royce Quant Small-Cap Quality Value ETF	26.53%	19.69%

Correlation

The correlation between EPSV and SQLV is 0.72, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 2, 2025	0.76

The correlation between EPSV and SQLV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.72 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

EPSV vs. SQLV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EPSV	SQLV
Industrials	26.9%	10.3%
Technology	20.7%	15.9%
Financial Services	17.7%	19.0%
Real Estate	8.6%	0.9%
Consumer Cyclical	6.9%	13.8%
Basic Materials	5.2%	3.8%
Energy	4.3%	4.0%
Consumer Defensive	3.7%	7.4%
Utilities	3.2%	0.2%
Healthcare	2.7%	18.7%
Communication Services	-	6.0%

Return for Risk

EPSV vs. SQLV — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

EPSV

EPSV Risk / Return Rank: 91
EPSV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
EPSV Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
EPSV Omega Ratio Rank: 88
EPSV Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
EPSV Martin Ratio Rank: 92

SQLV

SQLV Risk / Return Rank: 90
SQLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
SQLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
SQLV Omega Ratio Rank: 87
SQLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
SQLV Martin Ratio Rank: 89

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

EPSV vs. SQLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Harbor SMID Cap Value ETF (EPSV) and Royce Quant Small-Cap Quality Value ETF (SQLV). 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.

	EPSV	SQLV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.42	2.38	+0.04
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.41	3.46	-0.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.40	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.89	4.65	+0.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.66	14.61	+2.05

EPSV vs. SQLV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EPSV Sharpe Ratio is 2.42, which is comparable to the SQLV Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EPSV and SQLV, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

EPSV vs. SQLV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EPSV drawdown since its inception was -8.93%, smaller than the maximum SQLV drawdown of -48.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EPSV and SQLV.

Drawdown Indicators

	EPSV	SQLV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.93%	-48.34%	+39.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.93%	-8.84%	-0.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-26.86%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-26.86%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.62%	0.00%	-1.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.69%	-8.80%	+7.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.61%	2.81%	-0.20%

Volatility

EPSV vs. SQLV - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Harbor SMID Cap Value ETF (EPSV) is 4.51%, while Royce Quant Small-Cap Quality Value ETF (SQLV) has a volatility of 4.92%. This indicates that EPSV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SQLV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EPSV	SQLV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.51%	4.92%	-0.41%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.17%	11.82%	+1.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.04%	17.32%	+0.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.05%	20.90%	-2.85%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.05%	23.25%	-5.20%

EPSV vs. SQLV - Expense Ratio Comparison

EPSV has a 0.88% expense ratio, which is higher than SQLV's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

EPSV vs. SQLV - Dividend Comparison

EPSV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.23%, more than SQLV's 0.93% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EPSV Harbor SMID Cap Value ETF	2.23%	2.88%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SQLV Royce Quant Small-Cap Quality Value ETF	0.93%	1.15%	1.11%	1.09%	1.24%	1.12%	1.22%	1.20%	1.08%	0.40%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EPSV and SQLV in my portfolio?

EPSV and SQLV have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EPSV or SQLV?

SQLV has higher volatility (4.92%) compared to EPSV (4.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EPSV dropped -8.93% vs SQLV's -48.34%.

Which ETF is better, EPSV or SQLV?

On 1-year performance, EPSV leads with 43.44% vs 40.94% for SQLV. On fees, SQLV is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, EPSV has been the lower-risk option at 4.51%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EPSV or SQLV?

Over the 1-year period, EPSV has performed better with a 43.44% return vs 40.94%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EPSV or SQLV?

SQLV is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.88% for EPSV.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EPSV or SQLV?

EPSV has the higher dividend yield at 2.23%, compared with 0.93% for SQLV.

What is the main difference between EPSV and SQLV?

EPSV is categorized as Small Cap Value Equities, while SQLV is Quality Factor. They also come from different issuers: Harbor and Franklin Templeton. Their fees differ too: 0.88% for EPSV and 0.60% for SQLV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EPSV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.42 vs 2.38), 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.