ILOW vs. EPIN

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

ILOW (AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF) and EPIN (Harbor International Equity ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, ILOW returned 16.32% vs 38.63% for EPIN. Their correlation of 0.81 means they have usually moved in the same direction. ILOW charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for EPIN.

Performance

ILOW vs. EPIN - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ILOW achieves a 9.56% return, which is significantly lower than EPIN's 23.91% return.

ILOW

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 1.67%
• 6M: 5.69%
• YTD: 9.56%
• 1Y: 16.32%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 16.59%

EPIN

• 1D: 0.45%
• 1M: -0.25%
• 6M: 14.24%
• YTD: 23.91%
• 1Y: 38.63%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 35.02%

*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)
EPIN Harbor International Equity ETF	$42.70K	$24.96K	$19.91K
ILOW AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF	$2.04M	$2.12M	$2.25M

ILOW vs. EPIN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
ILOW AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF	9.56%	5.37%
EPIN Harbor International Equity ETF	23.91%	14.36%

Correlation

The correlation between ILOW and EPIN is 0.81, 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.	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 5, 2025	0.81

The correlation between ILOW and EPIN has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

ILOW vs. EPIN - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ILOW	EPIN
Financial Services	28.0%	19.1%
Industrials	14.5%	20.6%
Technology	10.0%	29.6%
Healthcare	8.6%	8.2%
Consumer Defensive	8.2%	3.6%
Consumer Cyclical	6.5%	7.0%
Communication Services	5.1%	1.0%
Energy	3.4%	3.8%
Real Estate	2.3%	-
Basic Materials	1.7%	7.1%
Utilities	1.3%	-

Return for Risk

ILOW vs. EPIN — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

ILOW

ILOW Risk / Return Rank: 46
ILOW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
ILOW Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
ILOW Omega Ratio Rank: 44
ILOW Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
ILOW Martin Ratio Rank: 52

EPIN

EPIN Risk / Return Rank: 81
EPIN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
EPIN Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
EPIN Omega Ratio Rank: 80
EPIN Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
EPIN Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

ILOW vs. EPIN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF (ILOW) and Harbor International Equity ETF (EPIN). 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.

	ILOW	EPIN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.20	2.03	-0.83
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.81	2.75	-0.94
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.37	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.67	3.34	-1.66
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.62	12.00	-5.38

ILOW vs. EPIN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ILOW Sharpe Ratio is 1.20, which is lower than the EPIN Sharpe Ratio of 2.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ILOW and EPIN, 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

ILOW vs. EPIN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ILOW drawdown since its inception was -10.37%, smaller than the maximum EPIN drawdown of -11.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ILOW and EPIN.

Drawdown Indicators

	ILOW	EPIN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.37%	-11.64%	+1.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.80%	-11.64%	+1.84%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.49%	-2.05%	+1.56%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.03%	-1.93%	-0.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.47%	3.23%	-0.76%

Volatility

ILOW vs. EPIN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF (ILOW) is 3.45%, while Harbor International Equity ETF (EPIN) has a volatility of 5.57%. This indicates that ILOW experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EPIN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ILOW	EPIN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.45%	5.57%	-2.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.80%	16.91%	-5.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.68%	19.13%	-5.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.43%	18.34%	-3.91%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.43%	18.34%	-3.91%

ILOW vs. EPIN - Expense Ratio Comparison

ILOW has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than EPIN's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

ILOW vs. EPIN - Dividend Comparison

ILOW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.46%, more than EPIN's 0.64% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
EPIN Harbor International Equity ETF	0.64%	0.79%	0.00%
ILOW AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF	1.46%	1.60%	0.78%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ILOW and EPIN in my portfolio?

ILOW and EPIN have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ILOW or EPIN?

EPIN has higher volatility (5.57%) compared to ILOW (3.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ILOW dropped -10.37% vs EPIN's -11.64%.

Which ETF is better, ILOW or EPIN?

On 1-year performance, EPIN leads with 38.63% vs 16.32% for ILOW. On fees, ILOW is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, ILOW has been the lower-risk option at 3.45%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ILOW or EPIN?

Over the 1-year period, EPIN has performed better with a 38.63% return vs 16.32%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ILOW or EPIN?

ILOW is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for EPIN.

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

ILOW has the higher dividend yield at 1.46%, compared with 0.64% for EPIN.

What is the main difference between ILOW and EPIN?

They also come from different issuers: AllianceBernstein and Harbor. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for ILOW and 0.80% for EPIN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EPIN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.03 vs 1.20), 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.