JPUS vs. SMLV

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

JPUS (JPMorgan Diversified Return US Equity ETF) and SMLV (SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - JPUS is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the JPMorgan Diversified Factor US Equity Index, while SMLV is a Volatility Hedged Equity fund tracking the SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, JPUS returned 11.36%/yr vs 10.25%/yr for SMLV. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. JPUS charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.12%/yr for SMLV.

Performance

JPUS vs. SMLV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in JPMorgan Diversified Return US Equity ETF (JPUS) and SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF (SMLV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, JPUS achieves a 10.87% return, which is significantly lower than SMLV's 14.81% return. Over the past 10 years, JPUS has outperformed SMLV with an annualized return of 11.36%, while SMLV has yielded a comparatively lower 10.25% annualized return.

JPUS

• 1D: -0.29%
• 1M: 0.86%
• YTD: 10.87%
• 6M: 11.70%
• 1Y: 19.87%
• 3Y*: 15.41%
• 5Y*: 9.35%
• 10Y*: 11.36%

SMLV

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: 1.40%
• YTD: 14.81%
• 6M: 15.50%
• 1Y: 23.44%
• 3Y*: 15.62%
• 5Y*: 8.02%
• 10Y*: 10.25%

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

JPUS vs. SMLV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
JPUS JPMorgan Diversified Return US Equity ETF	10.87%	11.18%	13.48%	10.98%	-8.47%	29.09%	7.54%	25.50%	-6.14%	20.58%
SMLV SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF	14.81%	5.66%	16.77%	7.52%	-7.69%	27.67%	-1.55%	24.10%	-6.62%	5.68%

Correlation

The correlation between JPUS and SMLV is 0.78, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 1, 2015	0.79

The correlation between JPUS and SMLV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

JPUS vs. SMLV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	JPUS	SMLV
Technology	11.6%	11.2%
Healthcare	11.5%	8.7%
Consumer Defensive	11.3%	4.3%
Real Estate	10.5%	12.2%
Industrials	10.4%	14.3%
Utilities	9.5%	2.9%
Consumer Cyclical	8.6%	8.7%
Financial Services	8.0%	30.5%
Energy	7.3%	1.8%
Basic Materials	6.8%	3.2%
Communication Services	4.5%	2.2%

Return for Risk

JPUS vs. SMLV — Risk / Return Rank

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

JPUS

JPUS Risk / Return Rank: 65
JPUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
JPUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
JPUS Omega Ratio Rank: 61
JPUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
JPUS Martin Ratio Rank: 69

SMLV

SMLV Risk / Return Rank: 54
SMLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
SMLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
SMLV Omega Ratio Rank: 49
SMLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
SMLV Martin Ratio Rank: 55

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.

JPUS vs. SMLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for JPMorgan Diversified Return US Equity ETF (JPUS) and SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF (SMLV). 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.

	JPUS	SMLV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.92	1.50	+0.42
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.78	2.17	+0.61
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.28	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.89	3.21	-0.31
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.60	8.78	+2.82
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

JPUS vs. SMLV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JPUS Sharpe Ratio is 1.92, which is comparable to the SMLV Sharpe Ratio of 1.50. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JPUS and SMLV, 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

	JPUS	SMLV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.92	1.50	+0.42
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65	0.44	+0.21
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.68	0.49	+0.19
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.72	0.55	+0.17

Drawdowns

JPUS vs. SMLV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JPUS drawdown since its inception was -38.69%, smaller than the maximum SMLV drawdown of -42.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JPUS and SMLV.

Drawdown Indicators

	JPUS	SMLV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.69%	-42.45%	+3.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.90%	-7.34%	+0.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.96%	-20.40%	+4.44%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.04%	-20.40%	+1.36%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.69%	-42.45%	+3.76%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.02%	0.00%	-1.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.82%	-5.45%	+1.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.72%	2.68%	-0.96%

Volatility

JPUS vs. SMLV - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for JPMorgan Diversified Return US Equity ETF (JPUS) is 2.55%, while SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF (SMLV) has a volatility of 4.09%. This indicates that JPUS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SMLV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	JPUS	SMLV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.55%	4.09%	-1.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.61%	9.92%	-2.31%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.40%	15.73%	-5.33%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.51%	18.29%	-3.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.76%	20.96%	-4.20%

JPUS vs. SMLV - Expense Ratio Comparison

JPUS has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is higher than SMLV's 0.12% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

JPUS vs. SMLV - Dividend Comparison

JPUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.06%, less than SMLV's 2.31% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
JPUS JPMorgan Diversified Return US Equity ETF	2.06%	2.27%	2.12%	2.26%	2.35%	1.67%	1.94%	2.09%	2.16%	1.25%	0.77%	0.48%
SMLV SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF	2.31%	2.74%	2.68%	2.68%	2.40%	2.12%	2.47%	2.62%	3.15%	7.92%	3.04%	2.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both JPUS and SMLV in my portfolio?

JPUS and SMLV have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, JPUS or SMLV?

SMLV has higher volatility (4.09%) compared to JPUS (2.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JPUS dropped -38.69% vs SMLV's -42.45%.

Which ETF is better, JPUS or SMLV?

On 10-year performance, JPUS leads with 11.36% vs 10.25% for SMLV. On fees, SMLV is cheaper at 0.12% per year. On volatility, JPUS has been the lower-risk option at 2.55%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, JPUS or SMLV?

Over the 10-year period, JPUS has performed better with a 11.36% return vs 10.25%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, JPUS or SMLV?

SMLV is cheaper with a 0.12% expense ratio, compared with 0.18% for JPUS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, JPUS or SMLV?

SMLV has the higher dividend yield at 2.31%, compared with 2.06% for JPUS.

What is the main difference between JPUS and SMLV?

JPUS is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while SMLV is Volatility Hedged Equity. JPUS tracks JPMorgan Diversified Factor US Equity Index, while SMLV tracks SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index. They also come from different issuers: JPMorgan and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for JPUS and 0.12% for SMLV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

JPUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.92 vs 1.50), 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.