LST vs. USMF

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

LST (Leuthold Select Industries ETF) and USMF (WisdomTree US Multifactor Fund) are both Mid Cap Blend Equities funds. LST is actively managed, while USMF is passively managed. Over the past year, LST returned 36.12% vs 6.68% for USMF. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. LST charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.28%/yr for USMF.

Performance

LST vs. USMF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Leuthold Select Industries ETF (LST) and WisdomTree US Multifactor Fund (USMF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LST achieves a 17.68% return, which is significantly higher than USMF's 4.43% return.

LST

• 1D: 0.75%
• 1M: 6.85%
• YTD: 17.68%
• 6M: 18.76%
• 1Y: 36.12%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

USMF

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: 3.17%
• YTD: 4.43%
• 6M: 4.58%
• 1Y: 6.68%
• 3Y*: 14.35%
• 5Y*: 7.68%
• 10Y*: —

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

LST vs. USMF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
LST Leuthold Select Industries ETF	17.68%	15.64%
USMF WisdomTree US Multifactor Fund	4.43%	2.05%

Correlation

The correlation between LST and USMF is 0.73, 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	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 22, 2025	0.76

The correlation between LST and USMF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.73 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

LST vs. USMF — Risk / Return Rank

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

LST

LST Risk / Return Rank: 76
LST Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
LST Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
LST Omega Ratio Rank: 77
LST Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
LST Martin Ratio Rank: 74

USMF

USMF Risk / Return Rank: 21
USMF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
USMF Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
USMF Omega Ratio Rank: 18
USMF Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
USMF Martin Ratio Rank: 24

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.

LST vs. USMF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Leuthold Select Industries ETF (LST) and WisdomTree US Multifactor Fund (USMF). 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.

	LST	USMF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.53	0.62	+1.91
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.52	0.94	+2.59
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.11	+0.34
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.35	1.04	+2.31
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.88	3.11	+10.77
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LST vs. USMF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LST Sharpe Ratio is 2.53, which is higher than the USMF Sharpe Ratio of 0.62. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LST and USMF, 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

	LST	USMF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.53	0.62	+1.91
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.54	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.42	0.63	+0.79

Drawdowns

LST vs. USMF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LST drawdown since its inception was -19.47%, smaller than the maximum USMF drawdown of -36.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LST and USMF.

Drawdown Indicators

	LST	USMF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.47%	-36.24%	+16.77%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.85%	-6.47%	-4.38%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-15.39%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-18.10%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.49%	+0.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.91%	-4.16%	+1.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.61%	2.15%	+0.46%

Volatility

LST vs. USMF - Volatility Comparison

Leuthold Select Industries ETF (LST) has a higher volatility of 4.02% compared to WisdomTree US Multifactor Fund (USMF) at 2.25%. This indicates that LST's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than USMF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LST	USMF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.02%	2.25%	+1.77%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.73%	7.42%	+4.31%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.34%	10.79%	+3.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.92%	14.26%	+3.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.92%	16.96%	+0.96%

LST vs. USMF - Expense Ratio Comparison

LST has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than USMF's 0.28% expense ratio.

Dividends

LST vs. USMF - Dividend Comparison

LST's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.14%, less than USMF's 1.31% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
LST Leuthold Select Industries ETF	1.14%	1.34%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
USMF WisdomTree US Multifactor Fund	1.31%	1.37%	1.22%	1.33%	1.74%	1.42%	1.34%	1.38%	1.45%	0.67%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LST and USMF in my portfolio?

LST and USMF have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LST or USMF?

LST has higher volatility (4.02%) compared to USMF (2.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LST dropped -19.47% vs USMF's -36.24%.

Which ETF is better, LST or USMF?

On 1-year performance, LST leads with 36.12% vs 6.68% for USMF. On fees, USMF is cheaper at 0.28% per year. On volatility, USMF has been the lower-risk option at 2.25%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LST or USMF?

Over the 1-year period, LST has performed better with a 36.12% return vs 6.68%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LST or USMF?

USMF is cheaper with a 0.28% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for LST.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, LST or USMF?

USMF has the higher dividend yield at 1.31%, compared with 1.14% for LST.

What is the main difference between LST and USMF?

They also come from different issuers: Leuthold Group and WisdomTree. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for LST and 0.28% for USMF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LST currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.53 vs 0.62), 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.