IMOM vs. DVOL

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

IMOM (Alpha Architect International Quantitative Momentum ETF) and DVOL (First Trust Dorsey Wright Momentum & Low Volatility ETF) are both Momentum funds. IMOM is actively managed, while DVOL is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IMOM returned 5.76%/yr vs 6.77%/yr for DVOL. Their 0.54 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. IMOM charges 0.38%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for DVOL.

Performance

IMOM vs. DVOL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alpha Architect International Quantitative Momentum ETF (IMOM) and First Trust Dorsey Wright Momentum & Low Volatility ETF (DVOL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IMOM achieves a 6.07% return, which is significantly lower than DVOL's 8.15% return.

IMOM

• 1D: 1.01%
• 1M: -5.82%
• 6M: -2.57%
• YTD: 6.07%
• 1Y: 24.42%
• 3Y*: 19.43%
• 5Y*: 5.76%
• 10Y*: 6.46%
• ALL TIME*: 6.86%

DVOL

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: 2.33%
• 6M: 5.83%
• YTD: 8.15%
• 1Y: 10.88%
• 3Y*: 13.90%
• 5Y*: 6.77%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 9.44%

*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)
DVOL First Trust Dorsey Wright Momentum & Low Volatility ETF	$232.56K	$170.69K	$310.57K
IMOM Alpha Architect International Quantitative Momentum ETF	$662.97K	$645.03K	$675.79K

IMOM vs. DVOL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
IMOM Alpha Architect International Quantitative Momentum ETF	6.07%	47.20%	5.22%	9.15%	-21.92%	-0.75%	28.39%	18.26%	-14.46%
DVOL First Trust Dorsey Wright Momentum & Low Volatility ETF	8.15%	4.30%	24.84%	5.39%	-16.10%	30.08%	11.15%	26.10%	-10.21%

Correlation

The correlation between IMOM and DVOL is 0.34, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.34
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.47
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.53
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 7, 2018	0.54

The correlation between IMOM and DVOL shifts across timeframes, from 0.34 (1 year) to 0.54 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IMOM vs. DVOL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IMOM	DVOL
Industrials	34.5%	17.4%
Technology	23.6%	4.7%
Basic Materials	9.9%	6.1%
Energy	7.9%	13.7%
Utilities	7.9%	3.0%
Communication Services	6.0%	3.0%
Financial Services	6.0%	19.1%
Real Estate	2.1%	12.4%
Healthcare	2.0%	3.3%
Consumer Cyclical	1.7%	9.5%
Consumer Defensive	-	8.0%

Return for Risk

IMOM vs. DVOL — Risk / Return Rank

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

IMOM

IMOM Risk / Return Rank: 45
IMOM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
IMOM Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
IMOM Omega Ratio Rank: 47
IMOM Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
IMOM Martin Ratio Rank: 44

DVOL

DVOL Risk / Return Rank: 35
DVOL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
DVOL Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
DVOL Omega Ratio Rank: 34
DVOL Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
DVOL Martin Ratio Rank: 37

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.

IMOM vs. DVOL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alpha Architect International Quantitative Momentum ETF (IMOM) and First Trust Dorsey Wright Momentum & Low Volatility ETF (DVOL). 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.

	IMOM	DVOL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.14	0.90	+0.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.66	1.39	+0.27
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.16	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.50	1.09	+0.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.93	3.81	+1.12

IMOM vs. DVOL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IMOM Sharpe Ratio is 1.14, which is comparable to the DVOL Sharpe Ratio of 0.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IMOM and DVOL, 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

IMOM vs. DVOL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IMOM drawdown since its inception was -45.74%, which is greater than DVOL's maximum drawdown of -38.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IMOM and DVOL.

Drawdown Indicators

	IMOM	DVOL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.74%	-38.26%	-7.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.75%	-9.82%	-6.93%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.51%	-11.66%	-5.85%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-39.27%	-24.65%	-14.62%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.74%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-12.35%	-1.02%	-11.33%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.08%	-7.06%	-7.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.07%	2.79%	+2.28%

Volatility

IMOM vs. DVOL - Volatility Comparison

Alpha Architect International Quantitative Momentum ETF (IMOM) has a higher volatility of 8.90% compared to First Trust Dorsey Wright Momentum & Low Volatility ETF (DVOL) at 3.31%. This indicates that IMOM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DVOL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IMOM	DVOL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.90%	3.31%	+5.59%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.66%	9.42%	+10.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.00%	11.82%	+10.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.31%	14.36%	+5.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.32%	17.60%	+2.72%

IMOM vs. DVOL - Expense Ratio Comparison

IMOM has a 0.38% expense ratio, which is lower than DVOL's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

IMOM vs. DVOL - Dividend Comparison

IMOM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.38%, more than DVOL's 0.75% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
DVOL First Trust Dorsey Wright Momentum & Low Volatility ETF	0.75%	0.86%	0.67%	1.28%	1.37%	0.47%	0.60%	1.79%	0.39%	0.00%	0.00%
IMOM Alpha Architect International Quantitative Momentum ETF	2.38%	2.53%	4.52%	2.95%	6.06%	1.27%	0.59%	1.17%	0.78%	1.11%	0.54%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IMOM and DVOL in my portfolio?

IMOM and DVOL have a correlation of 0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IMOM or DVOL?

IMOM has higher volatility (8.90%) compared to DVOL (3.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IMOM dropped -45.74% vs DVOL's -38.26%.

Which ETF is better, IMOM or DVOL?

On 5-year performance, DVOL leads with 6.77% vs 5.76% for IMOM. On fees, IMOM is cheaper at 0.38% per year. On volatility, DVOL has been the lower-risk option at 3.31%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IMOM or DVOL?

Over the 5-year period, DVOL has performed better with a 6.77% return vs 5.76%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IMOM or DVOL?

IMOM is cheaper with a 0.38% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for DVOL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IMOM or DVOL?

IMOM has the higher dividend yield at 2.38%, compared with 0.75% for DVOL.

What is the main difference between IMOM and DVOL?

They also come from different issuers: Alpha Architect and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.38% for IMOM and 0.60% for DVOL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IMOM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.14 vs 0.90), 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.