IVAL vs. VSS
Compare and contrast key facts about Alpha Architect International Quantitative Value ETF (IVAL) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF (VSS).
IVAL and VSS are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. IVAL is an actively managed fund by Alpha Architect. It was launched on Dec 16, 2014. VSS is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the FTSE Global Small Cap ex US Index. It was launched on Apr 2, 2009.
Performance
IVAL vs. VSS - Performance Comparison
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IVAL vs. VSS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IVAL Alpha Architect International Quantitative Value ETF | 8.42% | 34.92% | -0.71% | 20.61% | -10.06% | -0.22% | -4.94% | 21.26% | -22.50% | 31.03% |
VSS Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF | 1.72% | 29.61% | 2.94% | 15.52% | -21.48% | 13.05% | 11.81% | 21.36% | -18.48% | 30.61% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IVAL achieves a 8.42% return, which is significantly higher than VSS's 1.72% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with IVAL having a 7.75% annualized return and VSS not far behind at 7.63%.
IVAL
- 1D
- 2.88%
- 1M
- -7.11%
- YTD
- 8.42%
- 6M
- 14.13%
- 1Y
- 37.22%
- 3Y*
- 17.52%
- 5Y*
- 8.19%
- 10Y*
- 7.75%
VSS
- 1D
- 3.06%
- 1M
- -8.91%
- YTD
- 1.72%
- 6M
- 4.71%
- 1Y
- 30.55%
- 3Y*
- 13.84%
- 5Y*
- 5.38%
- 10Y*
- 7.63%
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IVAL vs. VSS - Expense Ratio Comparison
IVAL has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is higher than VSS's 0.07% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
IVAL vs. VSS — Risk / Return Rank
IVAL
VSS
IVAL vs. VSS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alpha Architect International Quantitative Value ETF (IVAL) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF (VSS). 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.
| IVAL | VSS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 2.13 | 1.88 | +0.25 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 2.85 | 2.50 | +0.35 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.41 | 1.38 | +0.03 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.24 | 2.54 | +0.70 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.61 | 10.09 | +2.53 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| IVAL | VSS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.13 | 1.88 | +0.25 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.47 | 0.33 | +0.13 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.41 | 0.45 | -0.04 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.33 | 0.52 | -0.20 |
Correlation
The correlation between IVAL and VSS is 0.81, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Dividends
IVAL vs. VSS - Dividend Comparison
IVAL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.77%, less than VSS's 3.33% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IVAL Alpha Architect International Quantitative Value ETF | 2.77% | 2.75% | 3.60% | 5.15% | 8.00% | 3.95% | 2.07% | 2.51% | 2.93% | 1.73% | 2.02% | 1.86% |
VSS Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF | 3.33% | 3.39% | 3.44% | 3.14% | 2.30% | 2.74% | 1.90% | 3.25% | 2.80% | 2.83% | 2.93% | 2.66% |
Drawdowns
IVAL vs. VSS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IVAL drawdown since its inception was -46.09%, which is greater than VSS's maximum drawdown of -43.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IVAL and VSS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IVAL | VSS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -46.09% | -43.51% | -2.58% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.24% | -11.62% | +0.38% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -31.01% | -33.93% | +2.92% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -46.09% | -43.51% | -2.58% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -7.11% | -8.91% | +1.80% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -12.12% | -9.72% | -2.40% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.89% | 2.93% | -0.04% |
Volatility
IVAL vs. VSS - Volatility Comparison
Alpha Architect International Quantitative Value ETF (IVAL) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF (VSS) have volatilities of 7.41% and 7.61%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| IVAL | VSS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.41% | 7.61% | -0.20% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.38% | 11.00% | +0.38% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 17.60% | 16.37% | +1.23% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.67% | 16.26% | +1.41% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.91% | 17.17% | +1.74% |