HIDV vs. ILOW

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

HIDV (AB US High Dividend ETF) and ILOW (AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HIDV is a Large Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by AllianceBernstein, while ILOW is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund actively managed by AllianceBernstein. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, HIDV returned 29.26% vs 11.67% for ILOW. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. HIDV charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for ILOW.

Performance

HIDV vs. ILOW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AB US High Dividend ETF (HIDV) and AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF (ILOW). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HIDV achieves a 11.35% return, which is significantly higher than ILOW's 5.98% return.

HIDV

• 1D: 0.36%
• 1M: 4.19%
• YTD: 11.35%
• 6M: 12.26%
• 1Y: 29.26%
• 3Y*: 22.30%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

ILOW

• 1D: 1.10%
• 1M: 1.20%
• YTD: 5.98%
• 6M: 7.96%
• 1Y: 11.67%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

HIDV vs. ILOW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
HIDV AB US High Dividend ETF	11.35%	14.64%	4.61%
ILOW AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF	5.98%	26.99%	-1.37%

Correlation

The correlation between HIDV and ILOW is 0.72, 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	0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 16, 2024	0.65

The correlation between HIDV and ILOW has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.65 to 0.72 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

HIDV vs. ILOW — Risk / Return Rank

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

HIDV

HIDV Risk / Return Rank: 74
HIDV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
HIDV Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
HIDV Omega Ratio Rank: 77
HIDV Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
HIDV Martin Ratio Rank: 72

ILOW

ILOW Risk / Return Rank: 26
ILOW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
ILOW Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
ILOW Omega Ratio Rank: 25
ILOW Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
ILOW Martin Ratio Rank: 32

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.

HIDV vs. ILOW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AB US High Dividend ETF (HIDV) and AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF (ILOW). 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.

	HIDV	ILOW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.47	0.87	+1.60
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.43	1.33	+2.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.16	+0.29
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.07	1.20	+1.88
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.38	4.65	+8.73
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HIDV vs. ILOW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HIDV Sharpe Ratio is 2.47, which is higher than the ILOW Sharpe Ratio of 0.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HIDV and ILOW, 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

	HIDV	ILOW	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.47	0.87	+1.60
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.63	1.12	+0.51

Drawdowns

HIDV vs. ILOW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HIDV drawdown since its inception was -18.76%, which is greater than ILOW's maximum drawdown of -10.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HIDV and ILOW.

Drawdown Indicators

	HIDV	ILOW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.76%	-10.37%	-8.39%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.57%	-9.80%	+0.23%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.76%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.60%	-1.00%	+0.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.05%	-2.11%	+0.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.19%	2.51%	-0.32%

Volatility

HIDV vs. ILOW - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for AB US High Dividend ETF (HIDV) is 2.88%, while AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF (ILOW) has a volatility of 4.42%. This indicates that HIDV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ILOW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HIDV	ILOW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.88%	4.42%	-1.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.03%	11.17%	-2.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.90%	13.43%	-1.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.51%	14.56%	-0.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.51%	14.56%	-0.05%

HIDV vs. ILOW - Expense Ratio Comparison

HIDV has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is lower than ILOW's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

HIDV vs. ILOW - Dividend Comparison

HIDV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.26%, more than ILOW's 1.51% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
HIDV AB US High Dividend ETF	2.26%	2.22%	2.29%	2.23%
ILOW AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF	1.51%	1.60%	0.78%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HIDV and ILOW in my portfolio?

HIDV and ILOW 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, HIDV or ILOW?

ILOW has higher volatility (4.42%) compared to HIDV (2.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HIDV dropped -18.76% vs ILOW's -10.37%.

Which ETF is better, HIDV or ILOW?

On 1-year performance, HIDV leads with 29.26% vs 11.67% for ILOW. On fees, HIDV is cheaper at 0.45% per year. On volatility, HIDV has been the lower-risk option at 2.88%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HIDV or ILOW?

Over the 1-year period, HIDV has performed better with a 29.26% return vs 11.67%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HIDV or ILOW?

HIDV is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for ILOW.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, HIDV or ILOW?

HIDV has the higher dividend yield at 2.26%, compared with 1.51% for ILOW.

What is the main difference between HIDV and ILOW?

HIDV is categorized as Large Cap Value Equities, while ILOW is Foreign Large Cap Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for HIDV and 0.50% for ILOW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HIDV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.47 vs 0.87), 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.