FOVL vs. SDY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FOVL (iShares Focused Value Factor ETF) and SDY (SPDR S&P Dividend ETF) are both Mid Cap Value Equities funds - FOVL tracks the MSCI USA IMI Focused Value Factor Index while SDY tracks the S&P High Yield Dividend Aristocrats Index. Both are passively managed. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FOVL charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SDY.

Performance

FOVL vs. SDY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Focused Value Factor ETF (FOVL) and SPDR S&P Dividend ETF (SDY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

FOVL

• 1D: —
• 1M: —
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SDY

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: 0.81%
• YTD: 7.49%
• 6M: 7.45%
• 1Y: 12.80%
• 3Y*: 9.83%
• 5Y*: 5.97%
• 10Y*: 9.29%

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

FOVL vs. SDY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
FOVL iShares Focused Value Factor ETF	0.00%	6.43%	22.87%	17.72%	-9.39%	40.14%	-13.20%	6.22%
SDY SPDR S&P Dividend ETF	7.49%	8.18%	8.45%	2.61%	-0.54%	25.32%	1.71%	11.00%

Correlation

The correlation between FOVL and SDY is 0.30, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.30
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.68
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 22, 2019	0.81

Over the past year, the correlation between FOVL and SDY has dropped to 0.30 - well below their long-term average of 0.81, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

FOVL vs. SDY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FOVL	SDY
Financial Services	44.6%	11.5%
Industrials	12.8%	17.5%
Energy	7.7%	4.6%
Utilities	7.5%	14.8%
Consumer Cyclical	5.2%	5.2%
Consumer Defensive	5.0%	17.1%
Technology	5.0%	8.7%
Healthcare	4.9%	6.2%
Communication Services	4.7%	3.5%
Real Estate	2.6%	4.6%
Basic Materials	-	6.4%

Return for Risk

FOVL vs. SDY — Risk / Return Rank

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

SDY

SDY Risk / Return Rank: 33
SDY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
SDY Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
SDY Omega Ratio Rank: 31
SDY Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
SDY Martin Ratio Rank: 31

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.

FOVL vs. SDY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Focused Value Factor ETF (FOVL) and SPDR S&P Dividend ETF (SDY). 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FOVL	SDY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	1.25	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.43	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.55	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	—	0.47	—

Drawdowns

Drawdown Indicators

	FOVL	SDY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	—	-54.75%	—
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-7.67%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-14.39%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-15.21%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-36.70%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	—	-4.07%	—
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	—	-6.21%	—
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	2.79%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	FOVL	SDY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	2.47%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	7.43%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	10.33%	—
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	—	14.03%	—
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	—	17.08%	—

FOVL vs. SDY - Expense Ratio Comparison

FOVL has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than SDY's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

FOVL vs. SDY - Dividend Comparison

FOVL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.55%, less than SDY's 2.48% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FOVL iShares Focused Value Factor ETF	0.55%	1.36%	2.08%	2.59%	3.38%	2.80%	2.88%	2.09%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SDY SPDR S&P Dividend ETF	2.48%	2.61%	2.56%	2.64%	2.55%	2.63%	2.85%	2.45%	2.73%	4.69%	3.30%	6.20%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FOVL and SDY in my portfolio?

FOVL and SDY have a correlation of 0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, FOVL or SDY?

On fees, FOVL is cheaper at 0.25% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, FOVL or SDY?

FOVL is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for SDY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FOVL or SDY?

SDY has the higher dividend yield at 2.48%, compared with 0.55% for FOVL.

What is the main difference between FOVL and SDY?

FOVL tracks MSCI USA IMI Focused Value Factor Index, while SDY tracks S&P High Yield Dividend Aristocrats Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for FOVL and 0.35% for SDY.