QVAL vs. VFVA
Compare and contrast key facts about Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF (QVAL) and Vanguard U.S. Value Factor ETF (VFVA).
QVAL and VFVA are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. QVAL is an actively managed fund by Alpha Architect. It was launched on Oct 22, 2014. VFVA is an actively managed fund by Vanguard. It was launched on Feb 13, 2018.
Performance
QVAL vs. VFVA - Performance Comparison
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QVAL vs. VFVA - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
QVAL Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF | 7.30% | 10.98% | 12.21% | 28.40% | -11.80% | 34.40% | -5.93% | 24.06% | -20.05% |
VFVA Vanguard U.S. Value Factor ETF | 1.90% | 14.77% | 7.67% | 17.37% | -3.96% | 36.94% | 2.28% | 25.42% | -15.61% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, QVAL achieves a 7.30% return, which is significantly higher than VFVA's 1.90% return.
QVAL
- 1D
- 2.26%
- 1M
- -2.23%
- YTD
- 7.30%
- 6M
- 12.78%
- 1Y
- 24.34%
- 3Y*
- 17.50%
- 5Y*
- 11.66%
- 10Y*
- 10.16%
VFVA
- 1D
- 1.68%
- 1M
- -4.22%
- YTD
- 1.90%
- 6M
- 6.70%
- 1Y
- 20.72%
- 3Y*
- 14.30%
- 5Y*
- 9.65%
- 10Y*
- —
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QVAL vs. VFVA - Expense Ratio Comparison
QVAL has a 0.28% expense ratio, which is higher than VFVA's 0.13% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
QVAL vs. VFVA — Risk / Return Rank
QVAL
VFVA
QVAL vs. VFVA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF (QVAL) and Vanguard U.S. Value Factor ETF (VFVA). 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.
| QVAL | VFVA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.21 | 0.94 | +0.28 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.85 | 1.44 | +0.41 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.26 | 1.20 | +0.05 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.70 | 1.35 | +0.35 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.34 | 5.41 | +1.93 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| QVAL | VFVA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.21 | 0.94 | +0.28 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.54 | 0.48 | +0.06 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.45 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.46 | 0.39 | +0.07 |
Correlation
The correlation between QVAL and VFVA is 0.90, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Dividends
QVAL vs. VFVA - Dividend Comparison
QVAL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.56%, less than VFVA's 2.10% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
QVAL Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF | 1.56% | 1.44% | 1.72% | 1.76% | 2.00% | 1.23% | 1.86% | 1.99% | 1.64% | 1.08% | 1.30% |
VFVA Vanguard U.S. Value Factor ETF | 2.10% | 2.13% | 2.40% | 2.45% | 2.21% | 1.68% | 2.04% | 2.08% | 1.65% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Drawdowns
QVAL vs. VFVA - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum QVAL drawdown since its inception was -51.49%, which is greater than VFVA's maximum drawdown of -48.58%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QVAL and VFVA.
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Drawdown Indicators
| QVAL | VFVA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -51.49% | -48.58% | -2.91% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.61% | -15.54% | +0.93% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -27.17% | -24.07% | -3.10% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -51.49% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.87% | -6.43% | +3.56% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.91% | -7.43% | -0.48% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.39% | 3.89% | -0.50% |
Volatility
QVAL vs. VFVA - Volatility Comparison
Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF (QVAL) and Vanguard U.S. Value Factor ETF (VFVA) have volatilities of 4.37% and 4.34%, 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.
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Volatility by Period
| QVAL | VFVA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.37% | 4.34% | +0.03% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.21% | 11.07% | -0.86% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 20.19% | 22.24% | -2.05% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.64% | 20.26% | +1.38% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.80% | 24.51% | -1.71% |