LVHD vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

LVHD (Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - LVHD is a Volatility Hedged Equity fund tracking the QS Low Volatility High Dividend Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, LVHD returned 8.05%/yr vs 15.57%/yr for SPY. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. LVHD charges 0.27%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

LVHD vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF (LVHD) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LVHD achieves a 6.87% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 11.69% return. Over the past 10 years, LVHD has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 8.05%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.57% annualized return.

LVHD

• 1D: 0.65%
• 1M: -1.96%
• YTD: 6.87%
• 6M: 7.02%
• 1Y: 9.87%
• 3Y*: 9.38%
• 5Y*: 6.16%
• 10Y*: 8.05%

SPY

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 5.40%
• YTD: 11.69%
• 6M: 12.09%
• 1Y: 29.62%
• 3Y*: 22.64%
• 5Y*: 14.20%
• 10Y*: 15.57%

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

LVHD vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
LVHD Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF	6.87%	7.50%	10.18%	-0.95%	-1.82%	26.90%	-1.28%	22.91%	-5.58%	14.25%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	11.69%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between LVHD and SPY is 0.24, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.24
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.38
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.53
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.60
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 30, 2015	0.61

Over the past year, the correlation between LVHD and SPY has dropped to 0.24 - well below their long-term average of 0.61, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

LVHD vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	LVHD	SPY
Utilities	25.5%	2.4%
Consumer Defensive	18.5%	4.8%
Real Estate	15.0%	1.9%
Financial Services	8.6%	11.8%
Consumer Cyclical	6.8%	10.3%
Energy	6.7%	3.6%
Technology	5.9%	35.9%
Industrials	4.6%	7.8%
Healthcare	4.6%	8.4%
Communication Services	3.8%	11.3%
Basic Materials	-	1.8%

Return for Risk

LVHD vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

LVHD

LVHD Risk / Return Rank: 29
LVHD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
LVHD Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
LVHD Omega Ratio Rank: 26
LVHD Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
LVHD Martin Ratio Rank: 29

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 75
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 76
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

LVHD vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF (LVHD) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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.

	LVHD	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.04	2.52	-1.48
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.55	3.42	-1.87
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.46	-0.28
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.60	3.42	-1.82
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	4.11	15.93	-11.81
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LVHD vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LVHD Sharpe Ratio is 1.04, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LVHD and SPY, 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

	LVHD	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.04	2.52	-1.48
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48	0.84	-0.36
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52	0.87	-0.35
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.56	0.59	-0.02

Drawdowns

LVHD vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LVHD drawdown since its inception was -37.32%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LVHD and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	LVHD	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.32%	-55.19%	+17.87%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.17%	-8.88%	+2.71%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.29%	-18.76%	+4.47%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.75%	-24.50%	+7.75%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.32%	-33.72%	-3.60%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.70%	0.00%	-4.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.05%	-9.05%	+5.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.40%	1.91%	+0.49%

Volatility

LVHD vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF (LVHD) has a higher volatility of 2.97% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.75%. This indicates that LVHD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LVHD	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.97%	2.75%	+0.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.73%	8.89%	-2.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.52%	11.81%	-2.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.87%	17.05%	-4.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.51%	17.94%	-2.43%

LVHD vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

LVHD has a 0.27% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% 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

LVHD vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

LVHD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.40%, more than SPY's 0.97% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LVHD Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF	3.40%	3.35%	4.23%	3.55%	3.30%	2.56%	3.27%	3.30%	3.82%	3.33%	2.48%	0.00%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.97%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LVHD and SPY in my portfolio?

LVHD and SPY have a correlation of 0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LVHD or SPY?

LVHD has higher volatility (2.97%) compared to SPY (2.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LVHD dropped -37.32% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, LVHD or SPY?

On 10-year performance, SPY leads with 15.57% vs 8.05% for LVHD. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 2.75%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LVHD or SPY?

Over the 10-year period, SPY has performed better with a 15.57% return vs 8.05%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LVHD or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.27% for LVHD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, LVHD or SPY?

LVHD has the higher dividend yield at 3.40%, compared with 0.97% for SPY.

What is the main difference between LVHD and SPY?

LVHD is categorized as Volatility Hedged Equity, while SPY is S&P 500. LVHD tracks QS Low Volatility High Dividend Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: Franklin Templeton and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.27% for LVHD and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 1.04), 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.