ILOW vs. HDMV

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

ILOW (AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF) and HDMV (First Trust Horizon Managed Volatility Developed Intl ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, ILOW returned 11.85% vs 10.89% for HDMV. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ILOW charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for HDMV.

Performance

ILOW vs. HDMV - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with ILOW having a 5.17% return and HDMV slightly lower at 5.07%.

ILOW

• 1D: -1.04%
• 1M: -0.78%
• YTD: 5.17%
• 6M: 4.70%
• 1Y: 11.85%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

HDMV

• 1D: -0.66%
• 1M: -1.49%
• YTD: 5.07%
• 6M: 4.77%
• 1Y: 10.89%
• 3Y*: 13.12%
• 5Y*: 6.57%
• 10Y*: —

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

ILOW vs. HDMV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
ILOW AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF	5.17%	26.99%	-1.53%
HDMV First Trust Horizon Managed Volatility Developed Intl ETF	5.07%	29.31%	-1.06%

Correlation

The correlation between ILOW and HDMV is 0.84, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 15, 2024	0.82

The correlation between ILOW and HDMV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

ILOW vs. HDMV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ILOW	HDMV
Financial Services	27.5%	24.5%
Industrials	14.0%	15.4%
Technology	9.7%	0.9%
Consumer Defensive	9.1%	13.1%
Healthcare	8.9%	3.2%
Consumer Cyclical	6.9%	2.7%
Communication Services	4.8%	9.5%
Energy	3.0%	1.7%
Real Estate	2.5%	13.7%
Utilities	1.7%	14.4%
Basic Materials	1.5%	1.0%

Return for Risk

ILOW vs. HDMV — Risk / Return Rank

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

ILOW

ILOW Risk / Return Rank: 27
ILOW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
ILOW Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
ILOW Omega Ratio Rank: 25
ILOW Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
ILOW Martin Ratio Rank: 34

HDMV

HDMV Risk / Return Rank: 27
HDMV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
HDMV Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
HDMV Omega Ratio Rank: 27
HDMV Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
HDMV Martin Ratio Rank: 28

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.

ILOW vs. HDMV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF (ILOW) and First Trust Horizon Managed Volatility Developed Intl ETF (HDMV). 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	HDMV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.87	0.96	-0.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.34	1.36	-0.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.18	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.21	1.25	-0.04
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.71	3.60	+1.11

ILOW vs. HDMV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ILOW Sharpe Ratio is 0.87, which is comparable to the HDMV Sharpe Ratio of 0.96. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ILOW and HDMV, 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. HDMV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ILOW drawdown since its inception was -10.37%, smaller than the maximum HDMV drawdown of -32.01%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ILOW and HDMV.

Drawdown Indicators

	ILOW	HDMV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.37%	-32.01%	+21.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.80%	-8.73%	-1.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-10.33%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.11%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.75%	-5.29%	+3.54%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.09%	-6.76%	+4.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.52%	3.03%	-0.51%

Volatility

ILOW vs. HDMV - Volatility Comparison

AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF (ILOW) has a higher volatility of 3.74% compared to First Trust Horizon Managed Volatility Developed Intl ETF (HDMV) at 3.43%. This indicates that ILOW's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HDMV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ILOW	HDMV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.74%	3.43%	+0.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.43%	9.71%	+1.72%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.64%	11.42%	+2.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.56%	12.08%	+2.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.56%	13.23%	+1.33%

ILOW vs. HDMV - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

ILOW vs. HDMV - Dividend Comparison

ILOW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.52%, less than HDMV's 4.66% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
HDMV First Trust Horizon Managed Volatility Developed Intl ETF	4.66%	5.09%	3.24%	3.14%	3.53%	3.11%	1.45%	3.63%	2.88%	3.23%	0.18%
ILOW AB International Low Volatility Equity ETF	1.52%	1.60%	0.78%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ILOW and HDMV in my portfolio?

ILOW and HDMV have a correlation of 0.84, 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 HDMV?

ILOW has higher volatility (3.74%) compared to HDMV (3.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ILOW dropped -10.37% vs HDMV's -32.01%.

Which ETF is better, ILOW or HDMV?

On 1-year performance, ILOW leads with 11.85% vs 10.89% for HDMV. On fees, ILOW is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, HDMV has been the lower-risk option at 3.43%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ILOW or HDMV?

Over the 1-year period, ILOW has performed better with a 11.85% return vs 10.89%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ILOW or HDMV?

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

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

HDMV has the higher dividend yield at 4.66%, compared with 1.52% for ILOW.

What is the main difference between ILOW and HDMV?

They also come from different issuers: AllianceBernstein and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for ILOW and 0.80% for HDMV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HDMV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.96 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.