MDLV vs. SPLV

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

MDLV (Morgan Dempsey Large Cap Value ETF) and SPLV (Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - MDLV is a Large Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Morgan Dempsey, while SPLV is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Low Volatility Index. MDLV is actively managed, while SPLV is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, MDLV returned 12.85%/yr vs 7.51%/yr for SPLV. Their correlation of 0.80 suggests significant overlap in exposure. MDLV charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for SPLV.

Performance

MDLV vs. SPLV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Morgan Dempsey Large Cap Value ETF (MDLV) and Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF (SPLV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MDLV achieves a 10.71% return, which is significantly higher than SPLV's 1.23% return.

MDLV

• 1D: 1.26%
• 1M: 1.57%
• YTD: 10.71%
• 6M: 12.37%
• 1Y: 21.07%
• 3Y*: 12.85%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPLV

• 1D: 0.46%
• 1M: -3.22%
• YTD: 1.23%
• 6M: 0.93%
• 1Y: -0.33%
• 3Y*: 7.51%
• 5Y*: 5.41%
• 10Y*: 8.01%

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

MDLV vs. SPLV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
MDLV Morgan Dempsey Large Cap Value ETF	10.71%	13.30%	10.16%	0.68%
SPLV Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF	1.23%	4.10%	13.93%	1.17%

Correlation

The correlation between MDLV and SPLV is 0.74, 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	0.74
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 27, 2023	0.80

The correlation between MDLV and SPLV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.

MDLV vs. SPLV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	MDLV	SPLV
Utilities	15.2%	26.8%
Industrials	15.0%	10.1%
Financial Services	14.9%	16.6%
Energy	14.4%	0.9%
Technology	9.3%	4.6%
Consumer Defensive	8.2%	10.8%
Healthcare	7.9%	6.8%
Communication Services	6.4%	0.9%
Consumer Cyclical	3.9%	5.7%
Basic Materials	2.6%	2.0%
Real Estate	2.2%	14.8%

Return for Risk

MDLV vs. SPLV — Risk / Return Rank

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

MDLV

MDLV Risk / Return Rank: 76
MDLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
MDLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
MDLV Omega Ratio Rank: 68
MDLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
MDLV Martin Ratio Rank: 78

SPLV

SPLV Risk / Return Rank: 8
SPLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
SPLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
SPLV Omega Ratio Rank: 8
SPLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
SPLV Martin Ratio Rank: 8

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.

MDLV vs. SPLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Morgan Dempsey Large Cap Value ETF (MDLV) and Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF (SPLV). 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.

	MDLV	SPLV	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.42	-0.03	+2.45
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.53	0.02	+3.51
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.00	+0.42
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.95	-0.05	+5.00
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	15.60	-0.11	+15.71
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MDLV vs. SPLV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MDLV Sharpe Ratio is 2.42, which is higher than the SPLV Sharpe Ratio of -0.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MDLV and SPLV, 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

	MDLV	SPLV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.42	-0.03	+2.45
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.44	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.52	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.08	0.68	+0.40

Drawdowns

MDLV vs. SPLV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MDLV drawdown since its inception was -10.71%, smaller than the maximum SPLV drawdown of -36.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MDLV and SPLV.

Drawdown Indicators

	MDLV	SPLV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.71%	-36.26%	+25.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.27%	-7.41%	+3.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.71%	-9.64%	-1.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-17.26%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-36.26%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.64%	-6.98%	+6.34%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.30%	-3.55%	+1.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.35%	3.03%	-1.68%

Volatility

MDLV vs. SPLV - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Morgan Dempsey Large Cap Value ETF (MDLV) is 2.80%, while Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF (SPLV) has a volatility of 3.00%. This indicates that MDLV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPLV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MDLV	SPLV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.80%	3.00%	-0.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.63%	6.89%	-0.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.75%	9.78%	-1.03%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.52%	12.45%	-1.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.52%	15.36%	-4.84%

MDLV vs. SPLV - Expense Ratio Comparison

MDLV has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is higher than SPLV's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

MDLV vs. SPLV - Dividend Comparison

MDLV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.79%, more than SPLV's 2.23% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MDLV Morgan Dempsey Large Cap Value ETF	2.79%	3.00%	2.78%	2.35%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPLV Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF	2.23%	2.04%	1.88%	2.45%	2.11%	1.51%	2.12%	2.08%	2.18%	2.03%	2.03%	2.28%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MDLV and SPLV in my portfolio?

MDLV and SPLV have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MDLV or SPLV?

SPLV has higher volatility (3.00%) compared to MDLV (2.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MDLV dropped -10.71% vs SPLV's -36.26%.

Which ETF is better, MDLV or SPLV?

On 3-year performance, MDLV leads with 12.85% vs 7.51% for SPLV. On fees, SPLV is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, MDLV has been the lower-risk option at 2.80%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MDLV or SPLV?

Over the 3-year period, MDLV has performed better with a 12.85% return vs 7.51%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MDLV or SPLV?

SPLV is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for MDLV.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, MDLV or SPLV?

MDLV has the higher dividend yield at 2.79%, compared with 2.23% for SPLV.

What is the main difference between MDLV and SPLV?

MDLV is categorized as Large Cap Value Equities, while SPLV is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: Morgan Dempsey and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.58% for MDLV and 0.25% for SPLV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MDLV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.42 vs -0.03), 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.