QQLV vs. USMV

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QQLV (Invesco QQQ Low Volatility ETF) and USMV (iShares MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Factor ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - QQLV tracks the Nasdaq Low Volatility Index while USMV tracks the MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, QQLV returned -1.95% vs 4.37% for USMV. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QQLV charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for USMV.

Performance

QQLV vs. USMV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco QQQ Low Volatility ETF (QQLV) and iShares MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Factor ETF (USMV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QQLV achieves a 1.94% return, which is significantly lower than USMV's 2.65% return.

QQLV

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: -0.15%
• YTD: 1.94%
• 6M: 1.06%
• 1Y: -1.95%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

USMV

• 1D: -0.69%
• 1M: 2.01%
• YTD: 2.65%
• 6M: 2.61%
• 1Y: 4.37%
• 3Y*: 11.79%
• 5Y*: 7.45%
• 10Y*: 9.93%

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

QQLV vs. USMV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
QQLV Invesco QQQ Low Volatility ETF	1.94%	4.19%	-5.60%
USMV iShares MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Factor ETF	2.65%	7.65%	-5.18%

Correlation

The correlation between QQLV and USMV is 0.83, 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	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 5, 2024	0.86

The correlation between QQLV and USMV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

QQLV vs. USMV — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQLV

QQLV Risk / Return Rank: 6
QQLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
QQLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
QQLV Omega Ratio Rank: 6
QQLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
QQLV Martin Ratio Rank: 6

USMV

USMV Risk / Return Rank: 17
USMV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
USMV Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
USMV Omega Ratio Rank: 15
USMV Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
USMV Martin Ratio Rank: 19

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.

QQLV vs. USMV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco QQQ Low Volatility ETF (QQLV) and iShares MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Factor ETF (USMV). 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.

	QQLV	USMV	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.19	0.52	-0.71
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-0.20	0.79	-0.99
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.98	1.09	-0.11
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.27	0.68	-0.95
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-0.52	2.27	-2.79
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QQLV vs. USMV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQLV Sharpe Ratio is -0.19, which is lower than the USMV Sharpe Ratio of 0.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQLV and USMV, 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

	QQLV	USMV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.19	0.52	-0.71
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.61	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.69	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.01	0.87	-0.85

Drawdowns

QQLV vs. USMV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQLV drawdown since its inception was -9.54%, smaller than the maximum USMV drawdown of -33.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQLV and USMV.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQLV	USMV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.54%	-33.10%	+23.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.35%	-6.46%	-0.89%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-9.36%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-17.93%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.10%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.61%	-1.18%	-2.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.19%	-2.88%	-0.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.73%	1.93%	+1.80%

Volatility

QQLV vs. USMV - Volatility Comparison

Invesco QQQ Low Volatility ETF (QQLV) has a higher volatility of 2.66% compared to iShares MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Factor ETF (USMV) at 2.38%. This indicates that QQLV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than USMV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QQLV	USMV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.66%	2.38%	+0.28%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.05%	5.91%	+1.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.13%	8.50%	+1.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.70%	12.35%	+0.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.70%	14.51%	-1.81%

QQLV vs. USMV - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQLV has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than USMV's 0.15% 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

QQLV vs. USMV - Dividend Comparison

QQLV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.06%, more than USMV's 1.53% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QQLV Invesco QQQ Low Volatility ETF	2.06%	1.84%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
USMV iShares MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Factor ETF	1.53%	1.49%	1.67%	1.82%	1.62%	1.26%	1.81%	1.88%	2.12%	1.77%	2.22%	2.02%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QQLV and USMV in my portfolio?

QQLV and USMV have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QQLV or USMV?

QQLV has higher volatility (2.66%) compared to USMV (2.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQLV dropped -9.54% vs USMV's -33.10%.

Which ETF is better, QQLV or USMV?

On 1-year performance, USMV leads with 4.37% vs -1.95% for QQLV. On fees, USMV is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, USMV has been the lower-risk option at 2.38%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QQLV or USMV?

Over the 1-year period, USMV has performed better with a 4.37% return vs -1.95%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QQLV or USMV?

USMV is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for QQLV.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QQLV or USMV?

QQLV has the higher dividend yield at 2.06%, compared with 1.53% for USMV.

What is the main difference between QQLV and USMV?

QQLV tracks Nasdaq Low Volatility Index, while USMV tracks MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for QQLV and 0.15% for USMV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

USMV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.52 vs -0.19), 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.