LOWV vs. RAFE

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

LOWV (AB US Low Volatility Equity ETF) and RAFE (PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. LOWV is actively managed, while RAFE is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, LOWV returned 14.37%/yr vs 18.76%/yr for RAFE. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. LOWV charges 0.48%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for RAFE.

Performance

LOWV vs. RAFE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AB US Low Volatility Equity ETF (LOWV) and PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF (RAFE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LOWV achieves a 3.83% return, which is significantly lower than RAFE's 15.70% return.

LOWV

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: 2.03%
• 6M: 1.85%
• YTD: 3.83%
• 1Y: 9.10%
• 3Y*: 14.37%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

RAFE

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: 1.59%
• 6M: 13.30%
• YTD: 15.70%
• 1Y: 28.06%
• 3Y*: 18.76%
• 5Y*: 11.46%
• 10Y*: —

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

LOWV vs. RAFE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
LOWV AB US Low Volatility Equity ETF	3.83%	12.26%	20.43%	18.90%
RAFE PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF	15.70%	17.60%	13.81%	18.01%

Correlation

The correlation between LOWV and RAFE is 0.72, 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	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 22, 2023	0.82

The correlation between LOWV and RAFE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.72 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

LOWV vs. RAFE — Risk / Return Rank

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

LOWV

LOWV Risk / Return Rank: 28
LOWV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
LOWV Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
LOWV Omega Ratio Rank: 27
LOWV Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
LOWV Martin Ratio Rank: 33

RAFE

RAFE Risk / Return Rank: 89
RAFE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
RAFE Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
RAFE Omega Ratio Rank: 89
RAFE Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
RAFE Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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.

LOWV vs. RAFE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AB US Low Volatility Equity ETF (LOWV) and PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF (RAFE). 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.

	LOWV	RAFE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.88	2.49	-1.61
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.27	3.48	-2.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.45	-0.29
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.95	3.78	-2.83
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.79	14.72	-10.93

LOWV vs. RAFE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LOWV Sharpe Ratio is 0.88, which is lower than the RAFE Sharpe Ratio of 2.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LOWV and RAFE, 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

LOWV vs. RAFE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LOWV drawdown since its inception was -13.87%, smaller than the maximum RAFE drawdown of -35.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LOWV and RAFE.

Drawdown Indicators

	LOWV	RAFE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.87%	-35.74%	+21.87%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.59%	-7.46%	-2.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.87%	-16.36%	+2.49%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.28%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.19%	-0.06%	-0.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.51%	-6.13%	+4.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.41%	1.91%	+0.50%

Volatility

LOWV vs. RAFE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for AB US Low Volatility Equity ETF (LOWV) is 2.51%, while PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF (RAFE) has a volatility of 2.78%. This indicates that LOWV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than RAFE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LOWV	RAFE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.51%	2.78%	-0.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.03%	8.59%	-0.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.40%	11.34%	-0.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.91%	15.07%	-3.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.91%	19.33%	-7.42%

LOWV vs. RAFE - Expense Ratio Comparison

LOWV has a 0.48% expense ratio, which is higher than RAFE's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

LOWV vs. RAFE - Dividend Comparison

LOWV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.87%, less than RAFE's 1.49% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
LOWV AB US Low Volatility Equity ETF	0.87%	0.85%	0.92%	0.77%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
RAFE PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF	1.49%	1.67%	1.79%	1.81%	2.22%	1.42%	2.36%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LOWV and RAFE in my portfolio?

LOWV and RAFE have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LOWV or RAFE?

RAFE has higher volatility (2.78%) compared to LOWV (2.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LOWV dropped -13.87% vs RAFE's -35.74%.

Which ETF is better, LOWV or RAFE?

On 3-year performance, RAFE leads with 18.76% vs 14.37% for LOWV. On fees, RAFE is cheaper at 0.30% per year. On volatility, LOWV has been the lower-risk option at 2.51%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LOWV or RAFE?

Over the 3-year period, RAFE has performed better with a 18.76% return vs 14.37%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LOWV or RAFE?

RAFE is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.48% for LOWV.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, LOWV or RAFE?

RAFE has the higher dividend yield at 1.49%, compared with 0.87% for LOWV.

What is the main difference between LOWV and RAFE?

They also come from different issuers: AllianceBernstein and PIMCO. Their fees differ too: 0.48% for LOWV and 0.30% for RAFE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RAFE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.49 vs 0.88), 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.