LVHD vs. TAIL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

LVHD (Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF) and TAIL (Cambria Tail Risk ETF) are both Volatility Hedged Equity funds. LVHD is passively managed, while TAIL is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, LVHD returned 6.06%/yr vs -8.38%/yr for TAIL. At a correlation of -0.38, they often move in opposite directions. LVHD charges 0.27%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for TAIL.

Performance

LVHD vs. TAIL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF (LVHD) and Cambria Tail Risk ETF (TAIL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LVHD achieves a 6.72% return, which is significantly higher than TAIL's -6.17% return.

LVHD

• 1D: -0.14%
• 1M: -1.27%
• YTD: 6.72%
• 6M: 6.51%
• 1Y: 9.60%
• 3Y*: 9.33%
• 5Y*: 6.06%
• 10Y*: 8.03%

TAIL

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: -2.15%
• YTD: -6.17%
• 6M: -7.55%
• 1Y: -8.73%
• 3Y*: -5.76%
• 5Y*: -8.38%
• 10Y*: —

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

LVHD vs. TAIL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
LVHD Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF	6.72%	7.50%	10.18%	-0.95%	-1.82%	26.90%	-1.28%	22.91%	-5.58%	5.86%
TAIL Cambria Tail Risk ETF	-6.17%	5.48%	-9.62%	-13.29%	-13.13%	-12.81%	6.91%	-14.27%	2.85%	-7.70%

Correlation

The correlation between LVHD and TAIL is -0.06, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.06
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.09
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.28
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 14, 2017	-0.38

Over the past year, the inverse relationship between LVHD and TAIL has weakened: their correlation has moved from -0.38 to -0.06, meaning they move in opposite directions less often than they have historically.

LVHD vs. TAIL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	LVHD	TAIL
Utilities	25.5%	2.4%
Consumer Defensive	18.5%	4.9%
Real Estate	15.0%	1.9%
Financial Services	8.6%	11.8%
Consumer Cyclical	6.8%	10.1%
Energy	6.7%	3.5%
Technology	5.9%	35.6%
Industrials	4.6%	8.3%
Healthcare	4.6%	8.5%
Communication Services	3.8%	11.2%
Basic Materials	-	1.8%

Return for Risk

LVHD vs. TAIL — Risk / Return Rank

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

LVHD

LVHD Risk / Return Rank: 28
LVHD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
LVHD Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
LVHD Omega Ratio Rank: 25
LVHD Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
LVHD Martin Ratio Rank: 28

TAIL

TAIL Risk / Return Rank: 1
TAIL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
TAIL Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
TAIL Omega Ratio Rank: 2
TAIL Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
TAIL Martin Ratio Rank: 0

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. TAIL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF (LVHD) and Cambria Tail Risk ETF (TAIL). 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	TAIL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.01	-1.03	+2.04
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.51	-1.46	+2.97
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	0.83	+0.34
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.56	-0.80	+2.36
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.98	-2.01	+5.99
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. TAIL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LVHD Sharpe Ratio is 1.01, which is higher than the TAIL Sharpe Ratio of -1.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LVHD and TAIL, 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	TAIL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.01	-1.03	+2.04
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47	-0.57	+1.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.56	-0.48	+1.05

Drawdowns

LVHD vs. TAIL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LVHD drawdown since its inception was -37.32%, smaller than the maximum TAIL drawdown of -52.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LVHD and TAIL.

Drawdown Indicators

	LVHD	TAIL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.32%	-52.36%	+15.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.17%	-10.95%	+4.78%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.29%	-20.65%	+6.36%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.75%	-38.44%	+21.69%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.32%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.84%	-51.56%	+46.72%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.05%	-29.12%	+25.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.42%	4.35%	-1.93%

Volatility

LVHD vs. TAIL - Volatility Comparison

Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF (LVHD) has a higher volatility of 2.86% compared to Cambria Tail Risk ETF (TAIL) at 0.86%. This indicates that LVHD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TAIL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LVHD	TAIL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.86%	0.86%	+2.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.64%	6.45%	+0.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.52%	8.51%	+1.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.87%	14.90%	-2.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.50%	14.94%	+0.56%

LVHD vs. TAIL - Expense Ratio Comparison

LVHD has a 0.27% expense ratio, which is lower than TAIL's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

LVHD vs. TAIL - Dividend Comparison

LVHD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.40%, less than TAIL's 3.49% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
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%
TAIL Cambria Tail Risk ETF	3.49%	2.88%	3.48%	3.74%	1.50%	0.49%	0.36%	1.58%	1.52%	0.91%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LVHD and TAIL in my portfolio?

LVHD and TAIL have a correlation of -0.06, 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 TAIL?

LVHD has higher volatility (2.86%) compared to TAIL (0.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LVHD dropped -37.32% vs TAIL's -52.36%.

Which ETF is better, LVHD or TAIL?

On 5-year performance, LVHD leads with 6.06% vs -8.38% for TAIL. On fees, LVHD is cheaper at 0.27% per year. On volatility, TAIL has been the lower-risk option at 0.86%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LVHD or TAIL?

Over the 5-year period, LVHD has performed better with a 6.06% return vs -8.38%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LVHD or TAIL?

LVHD is cheaper with a 0.27% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for TAIL.

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

TAIL has the higher dividend yield at 3.49%, compared with 3.40% for LVHD.

What is the main difference between LVHD and TAIL?

They also come from different issuers: Franklin Templeton and Cambria. Their fees differ too: 0.27% for LVHD and 0.59% for TAIL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LVHD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.01 vs -1.03), 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.