HIDV vs. SMDV

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

HIDV (AB US High Dividend ETF) and SMDV (ProShares Russell 2000 Dividend Growers ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HIDV is a Large Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by AllianceBernstein, while SMDV is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Dividend Growth Index. HIDV is actively managed, while SMDV is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, HIDV returned 22.30%/yr vs 10.43%/yr for SMDV. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. HIDV charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for SMDV.

Performance

HIDV vs. SMDV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AB US High Dividend ETF (HIDV) and ProShares Russell 2000 Dividend Growers ETF (SMDV). 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 SMDV's 10.34% return.

HIDV

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

SMDV

• 1D: 1.41%
• 1M: -0.34%
• YTD: 10.34%
• 6M: 9.74%
• 1Y: 16.31%
• 3Y*: 10.43%
• 5Y*: 4.17%
• 10Y*: 7.13%

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

HIDV vs. SMDV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
HIDV AB US High Dividend ETF	11.35%	14.64%	26.01%	22.21%
SMDV ProShares Russell 2000 Dividend Growers ETF	10.34%	0.26%	7.03%	12.68%

Correlation

The correlation between HIDV and SMDV is 0.61, 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	0.61
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.68
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 23, 2023	0.69

The correlation between HIDV and SMDV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.61 to 0.69 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

HIDV vs. SMDV — 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

SMDV

SMDV Risk / Return Rank: 31
SMDV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
SMDV Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
SMDV Omega Ratio Rank: 28
SMDV Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
SMDV Martin Ratio Rank: 34

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. SMDV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AB US High Dividend ETF (HIDV) and ProShares Russell 2000 Dividend Growers ETF (SMDV). 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	SMDV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.47	1.03	+1.44
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.43	1.65	+1.78
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.19	+0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.07	1.67	+1.40
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.38	5.04	+8.35
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. SMDV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HIDV Sharpe Ratio is 2.47, which is higher than the SMDV Sharpe Ratio of 1.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HIDV and SMDV, 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	SMDV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.47	1.03	+1.44
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.22	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.34	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.63	0.39	+1.24

Drawdowns

HIDV vs. SMDV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HIDV drawdown since its inception was -18.76%, smaller than the maximum SMDV drawdown of -34.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HIDV and SMDV.

Drawdown Indicators

	HIDV	SMDV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.76%	-34.12%	+15.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.57%	-9.79%	+0.22%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.76%	-21.23%	+2.47%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-21.23%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-34.12%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.60%	-1.39%	+0.79%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.05%	-5.93%	+3.88%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.19%	3.25%	-1.06%

Volatility

HIDV vs. SMDV - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for AB US High Dividend ETF (HIDV) is 2.88%, while ProShares Russell 2000 Dividend Growers ETF (SMDV) has a volatility of 4.42%. This indicates that HIDV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SMDV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HIDV	SMDV	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%	10.63%	-1.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.90%	15.88%	-3.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.51%	18.70%	-4.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.51%	20.73%	-6.22%

HIDV vs. SMDV - Expense Ratio Comparison

HIDV has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than SMDV's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

HIDV vs. SMDV - Dividend Comparison

HIDV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.26%, less than SMDV's 2.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HIDV AB US High Dividend ETF	2.26%	2.22%	2.29%	2.23%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SMDV ProShares Russell 2000 Dividend Growers ETF	2.38%	2.67%	2.68%	2.69%	2.51%	2.02%	2.13%	2.03%	1.97%	1.84%	1.35%	1.81%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HIDV and SMDV in my portfolio?

HIDV and SMDV have a correlation of 0.61, 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 SMDV?

SMDV has higher volatility (4.42%) compared to HIDV (2.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HIDV dropped -18.76% vs SMDV's -34.12%.

Which ETF is better, HIDV or SMDV?

On 3-year performance, HIDV leads with 22.30% vs 10.43% for SMDV. On fees, SMDV is cheaper at 0.40% 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 SMDV?

Over the 3-year period, HIDV has performed better with a 22.30% return vs 10.43%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HIDV or SMDV?

SMDV is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for HIDV.

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

SMDV has the higher dividend yield at 2.38%, compared with 2.26% for HIDV.

What is the main difference between HIDV and SMDV?

HIDV is categorized as Large Cap Value Equities, while SMDV is Small Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: AllianceBernstein and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for HIDV and 0.40% for SMDV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HIDV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.47 vs 1.03), 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.