IDLV vs. SMLV

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IDLV (Invesco S&P International Developed Low Volatility ETF) and SMLV (SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF) are both Volatility Hedged Equity funds - IDLV tracks the S&P BMI International Developed Low Volatility Index while SMLV tracks the SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IDLV returned 5.12%/yr vs 10.05%/yr for SMLV. A 0.57 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IDLV charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.12%/yr for SMLV.

Performance

IDLV vs. SMLV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco S&P International Developed Low Volatility ETF (IDLV) and SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF (SMLV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IDLV achieves a 2.35% return, which is significantly lower than SMLV's 12.88% return. Over the past 10 years, IDLV has underperformed SMLV with an annualized return of 5.12%, while SMLV has yielded a comparatively higher 10.05% annualized return.

IDLV

• 1D: -0.26%
• 1M: -1.99%
• YTD: 2.35%
• 6M: 4.22%
• 1Y: 9.36%
• 3Y*: 11.74%
• 5Y*: 5.88%
• 10Y*: 5.12%

SMLV

• 1D: -1.48%
• 1M: 1.39%
• YTD: 12.88%
• 6M: 12.84%
• 1Y: 21.90%
• 3Y*: 15.66%
• 5Y*: 7.75%
• 10Y*: 10.05%

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

IDLV vs. SMLV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IDLV Invesco S&P International Developed Low Volatility ETF	2.35%	27.77%	2.15%	9.18%	-12.21%	9.76%	-9.78%	20.09%	-8.02%	22.01%
SMLV SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF	12.88%	5.66%	16.77%	7.52%	-7.69%	27.67%	-1.55%	24.10%	-6.62%	5.68%

Correlation

The correlation between IDLV and SMLV is 0.55, 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	0.55
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.54
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 22, 2013	0.57

The correlation between IDLV and SMLV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.54 to 0.59 - a consistent structural relationship.

IDLV vs. SMLV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IDLV	SMLV
Financial Services	22.9%	30.5%
Industrials	16.4%	14.3%
Real Estate	15.4%	12.2%
Consumer Defensive	13.8%	4.3%
Utilities	11.4%	2.9%
Communication Services	8.6%	2.2%
Consumer Cyclical	3.8%	8.7%
Energy	3.6%	1.8%
Basic Materials	2.3%	3.2%
Healthcare	1.7%	8.7%
Technology	0.7%	11.2%

Return for Risk

IDLV vs. SMLV — Risk / Return Rank

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

IDLV

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

SMLV

SMLV Risk / Return Rank: 45
SMLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
SMLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
SMLV Omega Ratio Rank: 39
SMLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
SMLV Martin Ratio Rank: 49

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.

IDLV vs. SMLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco S&P International Developed Low Volatility ETF (IDLV) and SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF (SMLV). 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.

	IDLV	SMLV	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.96	1.40	-0.44
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.41	2.05	-0.64
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.26	-0.08
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.25	3.00	-1.75
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	3.69	8.20	-4.51
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IDLV vs. SMLV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IDLV Sharpe Ratio is 0.96, which is lower than the SMLV Sharpe Ratio of 1.40. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IDLV and SMLV, 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

	IDLV	SMLV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.96	1.40	-0.44
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50	0.43	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.38	0.48	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.54	-0.10

Drawdowns

IDLV vs. SMLV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IDLV drawdown since its inception was -34.65%, smaller than the maximum SMLV drawdown of -42.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IDLV and SMLV.

Drawdown Indicators

	IDLV	SMLV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.65%	-42.45%	+7.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.54%	-7.34%	-0.20%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.97%	-20.40%	+10.43%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.52%	-20.40%	-2.12%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.65%	-42.45%	+7.80%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.95%	-1.48%	-4.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.95%	-5.46%	-0.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.54%	2.68%	-0.14%

Volatility

IDLV vs. SMLV - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Invesco S&P International Developed Low Volatility ETF (IDLV) is 2.69%, while SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF (SMLV) has a volatility of 3.98%. This indicates that IDLV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SMLV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IDLV	SMLV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.69%	3.98%	-1.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.65%	9.88%	-2.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.79%	15.73%	-5.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.80%	18.28%	-6.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.40%	20.95%	-7.55%

IDLV vs. SMLV - Expense Ratio Comparison

IDLV has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than SMLV's 0.12% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

IDLV vs. SMLV - Dividend Comparison

IDLV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.71%, more than SMLV's 2.35% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IDLV Invesco S&P International Developed Low Volatility ETF	4.71%	4.63%	3.41%	3.59%	4.69%	2.99%	2.30%	4.92%	3.94%	3.05%	3.92%	3.93%
SMLV SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF	2.35%	2.74%	2.68%	2.68%	2.40%	2.12%	2.47%	2.62%	3.15%	7.92%	3.04%	2.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IDLV and SMLV in my portfolio?

IDLV and SMLV have a correlation of 0.55, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IDLV or SMLV?

SMLV has higher volatility (3.98%) compared to IDLV (2.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IDLV dropped -34.65% vs SMLV's -42.45%.

Which ETF is better, IDLV or SMLV?

On 10-year performance, SMLV leads with 10.05% vs 5.12% for IDLV. On fees, SMLV is cheaper at 0.12% per year. On volatility, IDLV has been the lower-risk option at 2.69%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IDLV or SMLV?

Over the 10-year period, SMLV has performed better with a 10.05% return vs 5.12%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IDLV or SMLV?

SMLV is cheaper with a 0.12% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for IDLV.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IDLV or SMLV?

IDLV has the higher dividend yield at 4.71%, compared with 2.35% for SMLV.

What is the main difference between IDLV and SMLV?

IDLV tracks S&P BMI International Developed Low Volatility Index, while SMLV tracks SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for IDLV and 0.12% for SMLV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMLV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.40 vs 0.96), 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.