QVAL vs. VFVA

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

QVAL (Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF) and VFVA (Vanguard U.S. Value Factor ETF) are both Mid Cap Value Equities funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, QVAL returned 13.21%/yr vs 13.00%/yr for VFVA. Their correlation of 0.90 means they have usually moved in the same direction. QVAL charges 0.28%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for VFVA.

Performance

QVAL vs. VFVA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF (QVAL) and Vanguard U.S. Value Factor ETF (VFVA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QVAL achieves a 22.29% return, which is significantly higher than VFVA's 21.04% return.

QVAL

• 1D: 1.30%
• 1M: 5.12%
• 6M: 15.08%
• YTD: 22.29%
• 1Y: 41.27%
• 3Y*: 19.25%
• 5Y*: 13.21%
• 10Y*: 11.78%
• ALL TIME*: 11.66%

VFVA

• 1D: 1.31%
• 1M: 5.44%
• 6M: 15.05%
• YTD: 21.04%
• 1Y: 39.77%
• 3Y*: 17.15%
• 5Y*: 13.00%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 10.91%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
QVAL Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF	$1.37M	$1.75M	$1.47M
VFVA Vanguard U.S. Value Factor ETF	$3.28M	$2.75M	$1.79M

QVAL vs. VFVA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
QVAL Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF	22.29%	10.98%	12.21%	28.40%	-11.80%	34.40%	-5.93%	24.06%	-19.94%
VFVA Vanguard U.S. Value Factor ETF	21.04%	14.77%	7.67%	17.37%	-3.96%	36.94%	2.28%	25.42%	-18.90%

Correlation

The correlation between QVAL and VFVA is 0.86, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 15, 2018	0.90

The correlation between QVAL and VFVA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

QVAL vs. VFVA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QVAL	VFVA
Consumer Cyclical	21.6%	13.1%
Energy	20.3%	7.3%
Healthcare	14.1%	14.9%
Industrials	12.3%	7.6%
Technology	10.0%	14.5%
Basic Materials	8.0%	3.3%
Consumer Defensive	5.9%	7.1%
Communication Services	5.8%	6.2%
Utilities	2.0%	-
Real Estate	2.0%	0.4%
Financial Services	-	25.7%

Return for Risk

QVAL vs. VFVA — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

QVAL

QVAL Risk / Return Rank: 95
QVAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
QVAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
QVAL Omega Ratio Rank: 93
QVAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
QVAL Martin Ratio Rank: 95

VFVA

VFVA Risk / Return Rank: 93
VFVA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
VFVA Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
VFVA Omega Ratio Rank: 93
VFVA Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
VFVA Martin Ratio Rank: 92

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	QVAL	VFVA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.91	2.70	+0.21
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.37	3.90	+0.47
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	1.48	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.87	4.67	+2.20
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	21.28	15.81	+5.47

QVAL vs. VFVA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QVAL Sharpe Ratio is 2.91, which is comparable to the VFVA Sharpe Ratio of 2.70. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QVAL and VFVA, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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.

Drawdown Indicators

	QVAL	VFVA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.49%	-48.58%	-2.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.04%	-8.55%	+2.51%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.41%	-24.07%	+2.66%
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 Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.69%	-7.24%	-0.45%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.95%	2.52%	-0.57%

Volatility

QVAL vs. VFVA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF (QVAL) is 3.51%, while Vanguard U.S. Value Factor ETF (VFVA) has a volatility of 4.42%. This indicates that QVAL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VFVA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QVAL	VFVA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.51%	4.42%	-0.91%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.27%	10.19%	+0.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.29%	14.84%	-0.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.57%	20.06%	+1.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.71%	24.20%	-1.49%

QVAL vs. VFVA - Expense Ratio Comparison

QVAL has a 0.28% expense ratio, which is higher than VFVA's 0.13% expense ratio.

Dividends

QVAL vs. VFVA - Dividend Comparison

QVAL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.40%, less than VFVA's 1.75% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
QVAL Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF	1.40%	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	1.75%	2.13%	2.40%	2.45%	2.21%	1.68%	2.04%	2.08%	1.65%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QVAL and VFVA in my portfolio?

QVAL and VFVA have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QVAL or VFVA?

VFVA has higher volatility (4.42%) compared to QVAL (3.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QVAL dropped -51.49% vs VFVA's -48.58%.

Which ETF is better, QVAL or VFVA?

On 5-year performance, QVAL leads with 13.21% vs 13.00% for VFVA. On fees, VFVA is cheaper at 0.13% per year. On volatility, QVAL has been the lower-risk option at 3.51%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QVAL or VFVA?

Over the 5-year period, QVAL has performed better with a 13.21% return vs 13.00%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QVAL or VFVA?

VFVA is cheaper with a 0.13% expense ratio, compared with 0.28% for QVAL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QVAL or VFVA?

VFVA has the higher dividend yield at 1.75%, compared with 1.40% for QVAL.

What is the main difference between QVAL and VFVA?

They also come from different issuers: Alpha Architect and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.28% for QVAL and 0.13% for VFVA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QVAL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.91 vs 2.70), 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.