EPSV vs. VBR

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

EPSV (Harbor SMID Cap Value ETF) and VBR (Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF) are both Small Cap Value Equities funds. EPSV is actively managed, while VBR is passively managed. Over the past year, EPSV returned 43.44% vs 29.28% for VBR. Their correlation of 0.90 means they have usually moved in the same direction. EPSV charges 0.88%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VBR.

Performance

EPSV vs. VBR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Harbor SMID Cap Value ETF (EPSV) and Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR). 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 VBR's 18.17% return.

EPSV

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

VBR

• 1D: 1.27%
• 1M: 1.85%
• 6M: 11.26%
• YTD: 18.17%
• 1Y: 29.28%
• 3Y*: 15.36%
• 5Y*: 10.29%
• 10Y*: 10.67%
• ALL TIME*: 9.72%

*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
VBR Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF	$57.38M	$55.84M	$67.82M

EPSV vs. VBR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
EPSV Harbor SMID Cap Value ETF	29.30%	22.17%
VBR Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF	18.17%	19.10%

Correlation

The correlation between EPSV and VBR is 0.89, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 2, 2025	0.90

The correlation between EPSV and VBR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

EPSV vs. VBR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EPSV	VBR
Industrials	26.9%	17.3%
Technology	20.7%	10.9%
Financial Services	17.7%	17.5%
Real Estate	8.6%	11.1%
Consumer Cyclical	6.9%	13.6%
Basic Materials	5.2%	5.3%
Energy	4.3%	4.3%
Consumer Defensive	3.7%	4.2%
Utilities	3.2%	4.9%
Healthcare	2.7%	8.4%
Communication Services	-	2.4%

Return for Risk

EPSV vs. VBR — 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

VBR

VBR Risk / Return Rank: 84
VBR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
VBR Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
VBR Omega Ratio Rank: 81
VBR Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
VBR Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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. VBR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Harbor SMID Cap Value ETF (EPSV) and Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR). 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	VBR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.42	1.98	+0.44
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.41	2.91	+0.51
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.35	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.89	3.32	+1.56
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.66	12.14	+4.52

EPSV vs. VBR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EPSV Sharpe Ratio is 2.42, which is comparable to the VBR Sharpe Ratio of 1.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EPSV and VBR, 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. VBR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EPSV drawdown since its inception was -8.93%, smaller than the maximum VBR drawdown of -61.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EPSV and VBR.

Drawdown Indicators

	EPSV	VBR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.93%	-61.98%	+53.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.93%	-8.85%	-0.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-24.19%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.19%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-45.28%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.62%	-0.15%	-1.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.69%	-8.21%	+6.52%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.61%	2.42%	+0.19%

Volatility

EPSV vs. VBR - Volatility Comparison

Harbor SMID Cap Value ETF (EPSV) has a higher volatility of 4.51% compared to Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR) at 3.58%. This indicates that EPSV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VBR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EPSV	VBR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.51%	3.58%	+0.93%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.17%	10.28%	+2.89%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.04%	14.86%	+3.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.05%	19.57%	-1.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.05%	21.67%	-3.62%

EPSV vs. VBR - Expense Ratio Comparison

EPSV has a 0.88% expense ratio, which is higher than VBR's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

EPSV vs. VBR - Dividend Comparison

EPSV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.23%, more than VBR's 1.74% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%	0.00%	0.00%
VBR Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF	1.74%	1.95%	1.98%	2.12%	2.03%	1.75%	1.68%	2.06%	2.35%	1.79%	1.77%	1.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EPSV and VBR in my portfolio?

EPSV and VBR have a correlation of 0.89, 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 VBR?

EPSV has higher volatility (4.51%) compared to VBR (3.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EPSV dropped -8.93% vs VBR's -61.98%.

Which ETF is better, EPSV or VBR?

On 1-year performance, EPSV leads with 43.44% vs 29.28% for VBR. On fees, VBR is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, VBR has been the lower-risk option at 3.58%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EPSV or VBR?

Over the 1-year period, EPSV has performed better with a 43.44% return vs 29.28%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EPSV or VBR?

VBR is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.88% for EPSV.

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

EPSV has the higher dividend yield at 2.23%, compared with 1.74% for VBR.

What is the main difference between EPSV and VBR?

They also come from different issuers: Harbor and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.88% for EPSV and 0.05% for VBR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EPSV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.42 vs 1.98), 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.