OVS vs. SMLF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

OVS (Overlay Shares Small Cap Equity ETF) and SMLF (iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Multifactor ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. OVS is actively managed, while SMLF is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, OVS returned 6.01%/yr vs 10.89%/yr for SMLF. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. OVS charges 0.83%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for SMLF.

Performance

OVS vs. SMLF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Overlay Shares Small Cap Equity ETF (OVS) and iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Multifactor ETF (SMLF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, OVS achieves a 17.65% return, which is significantly higher than SMLF's 14.46% return.

OVS

• 1D: -0.98%
• 1M: 2.07%
• YTD: 17.65%
• 6M: 16.54%
• 1Y: 36.35%
• 3Y*: 16.07%
• 5Y*: 6.01%
• 10Y*: —

SMLF

• 1D: -0.72%
• 1M: 4.07%
• YTD: 14.46%
• 6M: 14.20%
• 1Y: 30.98%
• 3Y*: 19.85%
• 5Y*: 10.89%
• 10Y*: 12.36%

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

OVS vs. SMLF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
OVS Overlay Shares Small Cap Equity ETF	17.65%	6.15%	11.07%	17.20%	-19.99%	30.15%	12.16%	11.51%
SMLF iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Multifactor ETF	14.46%	12.30%	16.33%	19.99%	-12.19%	26.53%	8.38%	9.95%

Correlation

The correlation between OVS and SMLF is 0.94, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 2, 2019	0.95

The correlation between OVS and SMLF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

OVS vs. SMLF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	OVS	SMLF
Financial Services	17.0%	15.0%
Technology	15.3%	16.6%
Industrials	15.3%	19.8%
Consumer Cyclical	13.4%	11.8%
Healthcare	11.0%	12.7%
Real Estate	7.7%	5.7%
Energy	6.0%	4.8%
Basic Materials	5.2%	4.6%
Communication Services	3.6%	3.2%
Consumer Defensive	3.6%	3.7%
Utilities	2.0%	2.2%

Return for Risk

OVS vs. SMLF — Risk / Return Rank

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

OVS

OVS Risk / Return Rank: 64
OVS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
OVS Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
OVS Omega Ratio Rank: 52
OVS Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
OVS Martin Ratio Rank: 74

SMLF

SMLF Risk / Return Rank: 58
SMLF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
SMLF Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
SMLF Omega Ratio Rank: 48
SMLF Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
SMLF Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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.

OVS vs. SMLF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Overlay Shares Small Cap Equity ETF (OVS) and iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Multifactor ETF (SMLF). 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.

	OVS	SMLF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.90	1.81	+0.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.71	2.56	+0.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.31	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.29	3.57	+0.72
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.85	12.27	+1.59
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

OVS vs. SMLF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current OVS Sharpe Ratio is 1.90, which is comparable to the SMLF Sharpe Ratio of 1.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of OVS and SMLF, 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

	OVS	SMLF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.90	1.81	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.26	0.52	-0.26
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.57	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.43	0.54	-0.10

Drawdowns

OVS vs. SMLF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum OVS drawdown since its inception was -45.09%, which is greater than SMLF's maximum drawdown of -41.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for OVS and SMLF.

Drawdown Indicators

	OVS	SMLF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.09%	-41.89%	-3.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.51%	-8.71%	+0.20%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-30.49%	-26.28%	-4.21%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.49%	-26.28%	-4.21%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-41.89%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.98%	-0.72%	-0.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.35%	-6.60%	-4.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.63%	2.53%	+0.10%

Volatility

OVS vs. SMLF - Volatility Comparison

Overlay Shares Small Cap Equity ETF (OVS) and iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Multifactor ETF (SMLF) have volatilities of 4.58% and 4.80%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	OVS	SMLF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.58%	4.80%	-0.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.00%	12.31%	+0.69%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.27%	17.21%	+2.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.23%	21.09%	+2.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.47%	21.78%	+5.69%

OVS vs. SMLF - Expense Ratio Comparison

OVS has a 0.83% expense ratio, which is higher than SMLF's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

OVS vs. SMLF - Dividend Comparison

OVS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.83%, more than SMLF's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
OVS Overlay Shares Small Cap Equity ETF	6.83%	3.69%	4.08%	3.19%	3.43%	4.05%	1.74%	0.54%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SMLF iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Multifactor ETF	1.03%	1.14%	1.33%	1.13%	1.23%	1.07%	1.33%	1.39%	1.17%	0.93%	0.78%	0.79%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both OVS and SMLF in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, OVS and SMLF move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, OVS or SMLF?

SMLF has higher volatility (4.80%) compared to OVS (4.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, OVS dropped -45.09% vs SMLF's -41.89%.

Which ETF is better, OVS or SMLF?

On 5-year performance, SMLF leads with 10.89% vs 6.01% for OVS. On fees, SMLF is cheaper at 0.30% per year. On volatility, OVS has been the lower-risk option at 4.58%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, OVS or SMLF?

Over the 5-year period, SMLF has performed better with a 10.89% return vs 6.01%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, OVS or SMLF?

SMLF is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.83% for OVS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, OVS or SMLF?

OVS has the higher dividend yield at 6.83%, compared with 1.03% for SMLF.

What is the main difference between OVS and SMLF?

They also come from different issuers: Liquid Strategies and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.83% for OVS and 0.30% for SMLF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

OVS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.90 vs 1.81), 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.