KEAT vs. VLU

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Keating Active ETF (KEAT) and SPDR S&P 1500 Value Tilt ETF (VLU).

KEAT and VLU are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. KEAT is an actively managed fund by Keating. It was launched on Mar 27, 2024. VLU is a passively managed fund by State Street that tracks the performance of the S&P 1500 Low Valuation Tilt Index. It was launched on Oct 24, 2012.

Performance

KEAT vs. VLU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Keating Active ETF (KEAT) and SPDR S&P 1500 Value Tilt ETF (VLU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

KEAT vs. VLU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
KEAT Keating Active ETF	12.12%	22.76%	2.41%
VLU SPDR S&P 1500 Value Tilt ETF	2.50%	16.70%	7.28%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, KEAT achieves a 12.12% return, which is significantly higher than VLU's 2.50% return.

KEAT

• 1D: 1.21%
• 1M: -2.99%
• YTD: 12.12%
• 6M: 16.70%
• 1Y: 29.90%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VLU

• 1D: 2.04%
• 1M: -3.82%
• YTD: 2.50%
• 6M: 6.27%
• 1Y: 19.18%
• 3Y*: 17.17%
• 5Y*: 11.22%
• 10Y*: 13.18%

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

KEAT vs. VLU - Expense Ratio Comparison

KEAT has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than VLU's 0.12% expense ratio.

KEAT

Keating Active ETF

VLU

SPDR S&P 1500 Value Tilt ETF

Return for Risk

KEAT vs. VLU — Risk / Return Rank

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

KEAT

KEAT Risk / Return Rank: 96
KEAT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
KEAT Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
KEAT Omega Ratio Rank: 96
KEAT Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
KEAT Martin Ratio Rank: 96

VLU

VLU Risk / Return Rank: 70
VLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
VLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
VLU Omega Ratio Rank: 72
VLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
VLU Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

KEAT vs. VLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Keating Active ETF (KEAT) and SPDR S&P 1500 Value Tilt ETF (VLU). 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.

	KEAT	VLU	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.49	1.15	+1.34
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.22	1.67	+1.55
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.26	+0.22
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.05	1.63	+2.42
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	17.08	7.78	+9.29
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

KEAT vs. VLU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KEAT Sharpe Ratio is 2.49, which is higher than the VLU Sharpe Ratio of 1.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KEAT and VLU, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	KEAT	VLU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.49	1.15	+1.34
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.73	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.73	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.81	0.78	+1.03

Correlation

The correlation between KEAT and VLU is 0.57, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

KEAT vs. VLU - Dividend Comparison

KEAT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.37%, more than VLU's 1.78% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
KEAT Keating Active ETF	2.37%	2.48%	1.72%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VLU SPDR S&P 1500 Value Tilt ETF	1.78%	1.82%	2.00%	2.02%	2.16%	1.86%	1.98%	2.19%	2.57%	1.96%	2.14%	6.37%

Drawdowns

KEAT vs. VLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KEAT drawdown since its inception was -7.45%, smaller than the maximum VLU drawdown of -37.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KEAT and VLU.

Drawdown Indicators

	KEAT	VLU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-7.45%	-37.39%	+29.94%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.38%	-12.40%	+5.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-19.55%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-37.39%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.27%	-4.43%	+1.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.38%	-3.78%	+2.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.77%	2.60%	-0.83%

Volatility

KEAT vs. VLU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Keating Active ETF (KEAT) is 3.76%, while SPDR S&P 1500 Value Tilt ETF (VLU) has a volatility of 4.31%. This indicates that KEAT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VLU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	KEAT	VLU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.76%	4.31%	-0.55%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.66%	8.61%	+0.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.05%	16.77%	-4.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.40%	15.46%	-5.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.40%	18.09%	-7.69%