IVOV vs. QVAL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IVOV (Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF) and QVAL (Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF) are both Mid Cap Value Equities funds. IVOV is passively managed, while QVAL is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, IVOV returned 10.41%/yr vs 11.64%/yr for QVAL. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IVOV charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.28%/yr for QVAL.

Performance

IVOV vs. QVAL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF (IVOV) and Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF (QVAL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IVOV achieves a 8.98% return, which is significantly lower than QVAL's 14.68% return. Over the past 10 years, IVOV has underperformed QVAL with an annualized return of 10.41%, while QVAL has yielded a comparatively higher 11.64% annualized return.

IVOV

• 1D: -0.30%
• 1M: 1.86%
• YTD: 8.98%
• 6M: 9.21%
• 1Y: 20.80%
• 3Y*: 13.95%
• 5Y*: 7.51%
• 10Y*: 10.41%

QVAL

• 1D: -0.23%
• 1M: 4.34%
• YTD: 14.68%
• 6M: 15.27%
• 1Y: 29.65%
• 3Y*: 21.66%
• 5Y*: 12.15%
• 10Y*: 11.64%

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

IVOV vs. QVAL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IVOV Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF	8.98%	7.61%	11.53%	15.38%	-7.20%	30.50%	3.70%	25.91%	-12.13%	12.22%
QVAL Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF	14.68%	10.98%	12.21%	28.40%	-11.80%	34.40%	-5.93%	24.06%	-17.28%	25.59%

Correlation

The correlation between IVOV and QVAL is 0.87, 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	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2016	0.87

The correlation between IVOV and QVAL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

IVOV vs. QVAL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IVOV	QVAL
Financial Services	21.9%	-
Industrials	18.8%	15.0%
Consumer Cyclical	13.5%	32.4%
Real Estate	9.6%	2.0%
Technology	9.2%	16.7%
Energy	7.4%	5.5%
Basic Materials	6.0%	7.6%
Consumer Defensive	5.5%	7.9%
Utilities	4.2%	-
Healthcare	3.5%	11.1%
Communication Services	0.5%	3.8%

Return for Risk

IVOV vs. QVAL — Risk / Return Rank

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

IVOV

IVOV Risk / Return Rank: 39
IVOV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
IVOV Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
IVOV Omega Ratio Rank: 36
IVOV Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
IVOV Martin Ratio Rank: 42

QVAL

QVAL Risk / Return Rank: 69
QVAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
QVAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
QVAL Omega Ratio Rank: 57
QVAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
QVAL Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

IVOV vs. QVAL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF (IVOV) and Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF (QVAL). 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.

	IVOV	QVAL	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.37	2.07	-0.69
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.08	3.21	-1.12
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.35	-0.11
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.97	4.93	-2.96
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.80	13.98	-7.18
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IVOV vs. QVAL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IVOV Sharpe Ratio is 1.37, which is lower than the QVAL Sharpe Ratio of 2.07. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IVOV and QVAL, 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

	IVOV	QVAL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.37	2.07	-0.69
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.39	0.56	-0.18
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.48	0.51	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.58	0.49	+0.09

Drawdowns

IVOV vs. QVAL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IVOV drawdown since its inception was -45.99%, smaller than the maximum QVAL drawdown of -51.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IVOV and QVAL.

Drawdown Indicators

	IVOV	QVAL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.99%	-51.49%	+5.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.58%	-6.04%	-4.54%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.61%	-21.41%	-1.20%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.61%	-27.17%	+4.56%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.99%	-51.49%	+5.50%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.31%	-0.78%	+0.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.43%	-7.80%	+2.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.07%	2.13%	+0.94%

Volatility

IVOV vs. QVAL - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF (IVOV) and Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF (QVAL) have volatilities of 4.07% and 4.16%, 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.

Volatility by Period

	IVOV	QVAL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.07%	4.16%	-0.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.61%	10.06%	+0.55%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.27%	14.44%	+0.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.48%	21.63%	-2.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.73%	22.79%	-1.06%

IVOV vs. QVAL - Expense Ratio Comparison

IVOV has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than QVAL's 0.28% expense ratio.

Dividends

IVOV vs. QVAL - Dividend Comparison

IVOV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.67%, more than QVAL's 1.46% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IVOV Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF	1.67%	1.82%	1.74%	1.52%	1.97%	1.78%	2.42%	1.75%	1.87%	1.55%	1.51%	1.66%
QVAL Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF	1.46%	1.44%	1.72%	1.76%	2.00%	1.23%	1.86%	1.99%	1.64%	1.08%	1.30%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IVOV and QVAL in my portfolio?

IVOV and QVAL have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IVOV or QVAL?

QVAL has higher volatility (4.16%) compared to IVOV (4.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IVOV dropped -45.99% vs QVAL's -51.49%.

Which ETF is better, IVOV or QVAL?

On 10-year performance, QVAL leads with 11.64% vs 10.41% for IVOV. On fees, IVOV is cheaper at 0.10% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IVOV or QVAL?

Over the 10-year period, QVAL has performed better with a 11.64% return vs 10.41%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IVOV or QVAL?

IVOV is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.28% for QVAL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IVOV or QVAL?

IVOV has the higher dividend yield at 1.67%, compared with 1.46% for QVAL.

What is the main difference between IVOV and QVAL?

They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Alpha Architect. Their fees differ too: 0.10% for IVOV and 0.28% for QVAL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QVAL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.07 vs 1.37), 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.