PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
QVAL vs. VLUE
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

QVAL vs. VLUE

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

QVAL (Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF) and VLUE (iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QVAL is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Alpha Architect, while VLUE is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Enhanced Value Index. QVAL is actively managed, while VLUE is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QVAL returned 11.91%/yr vs 15.97%/yr for VLUE. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QVAL charges 0.28%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for VLUE.

Performance

QVAL vs. VLUE - Performance Comparison

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

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QVAL achieves a 14.07% return, which is significantly lower than VLUE's 50.50% return. Over the past 10 years, QVAL has underperformed VLUE with an annualized return of 11.91%, while VLUE has yielded a comparatively higher 15.97% annualized return.

QVAL

1D
-0.02%
1M
0.87%
YTD
14.07%
6M
12.19%
1Y
29.20%
3Y*
20.50%
5Y*
12.32%
10Y*
11.91%

VLUE

1D
2.13%
1M
9.37%
YTD
50.50%
6M
49.56%
1Y
89.78%
3Y*
34.06%
5Y*
17.54%
10Y*
15.97%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

QVAL vs. VLUE - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
QVAL
Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF		14.07%10.98%12.21%28.40%-11.80%34.40%-5.93%24.06%-17.28%25.59%
VLUE
iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF		50.50%32.67%7.25%14.26%-14.17%28.93%-0.23%27.20%-11.13%21.95%

Correlation

The correlation between QVAL and VLUE is 0.68, 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

0.68

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.79

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.82

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.84

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2016

0.84

The correlation between QVAL and VLUE shifts across timeframes, from 0.68 (1 year) to 0.84 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

QVAL vs. VLUE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
QVAL
VLUE

Consumer Cyclical

23.8%
10.1%

Energy

16.1%
3.5%

Industrials

14.1%
8.0%

Healthcare

13.9%
7.9%

Consumer Defensive

9.8%
4.4%

Technology

8.3%
40.7%

Communication Services

6.0%
9.5%

Basic Materials

6.0%
1.3%

Utilities

2.0%
2.0%

Real Estate

2.0%
1.8%

Financial Services

-

10.5%

Consumer Cyclical

QVAL
23.8%
VLUE
10.1%

Energy

QVAL
16.1%
VLUE
3.5%

Industrials

QVAL
14.1%
VLUE
8.0%

Healthcare

QVAL
13.9%
VLUE
7.9%

Consumer Defensive

QVAL
9.8%
VLUE
4.4%

Technology

QVAL
8.3%
VLUE
40.7%

Communication Services

QVAL
6.0%
VLUE
9.5%

Basic Materials

QVAL
6.0%
VLUE
1.3%

Utilities

QVAL
2.0%
VLUE
2.0%

Real Estate

QVAL
2.0%
VLUE
1.8%

Financial Services

QVAL

-

VLUE
10.5%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF

iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF

Often compared with QVAL:
QVAL vs. AVUVQVAL vs. QQQQVAL vs. SNPEQVAL vs. VTVQVAL vs. VFLOQVAL vs. VBRQVAL vs. IVV
Often compared with VLUE:
VLUE vs. AVLVVLUE vs. VLUVLUE vs. VOOVLUE vs. IUSVVLUE vs. SCHVVLUE vs. SCHDVLUE vs. VTV

Return for Risk

QVAL vs. VLUE — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
QVAL
QVAL Risk / Return Rank: 7070
Overall Rank
QVAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6262
Sharpe Ratio Rank
QVAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 7171
Sortino Ratio Rank
QVAL Omega Ratio Rank: 5656
Omega Ratio Rank
QVAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 8888
Calmar Ratio Rank
QVAL Martin Ratio Rank: 7474
Martin Ratio Rank
VLUE
VLUE Risk / Return Rank: 9797
Overall Rank
VLUE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9797
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VLUE Sortino Ratio Rank: 9797
Sortino Ratio Rank
VLUE Omega Ratio Rank: 9696
Omega Ratio Rank
VLUE Calmar Ratio Rank: 9797
Calmar Ratio Rank
VLUE Martin Ratio Rank: 9797
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

QVAL vs. VLUE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF (QVAL) and iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF (VLUE). 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.

QVALVLUEDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.99
4.83

-2.83

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.07
6.02

-2.96

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.34

1.81

-0.47

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

4.86

9.99

-5.13

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

13.62

41.99

-28.37

QVAL vs. VLUE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QVAL Sharpe Ratio is 1.99, which is lower than the VLUE Sharpe Ratio of 4.83. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QVAL and VLUE, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Loading charts...

Drawdowns

QVAL vs. VLUE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QVAL drawdown since its inception was -51.49%, which is greater than VLUE's maximum drawdown of -39.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QVAL and VLUE.

Loading charts...

Drawdown Indicators

QVALVLUEDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-51.49%

-39.47%

-12.02%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-6.04%

-9.04%

+3.00%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-21.41%

-17.89%

-3.52%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-27.17%

-27.12%

-0.05%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-51.49%

-39.47%

-12.02%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-2.48%

0.00%

-2.48%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-7.77%

-6.00%

-1.77%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.15%

2.15%

0.00%

Volatility

QVAL vs. VLUE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF (QVAL) is 3.99%, while iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF (VLUE) has a volatility of 8.92%. This indicates that QVAL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VLUE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

QVALVLUEDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.99%

8.92%

-4.93%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

10.21%

15.67%

-5.46%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

14.74%

18.74%

-4.00%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

21.64%

18.05%

+3.59%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

22.80%

19.96%

+2.84%

QVAL vs. VLUE - Expense Ratio Comparison

QVAL has a 0.28% expense ratio, which is higher than VLUE's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

QVAL vs. VLUE - Dividend Comparison

QVAL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.16%, less than VLUE's 1.37% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
QVAL
Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF		1.16%1.44%1.72%1.76%2.00%1.23%1.86%1.99%1.64%1.08%1.30%0.00%
VLUE
iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF		1.37%2.11%2.73%2.66%3.18%2.22%2.42%2.61%2.70%2.14%2.07%2.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

QVAL and VLUE have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

VLUE has higher volatility (8.92%) compared to QVAL (3.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QVAL dropped -51.49% vs VLUE's -39.47%.

On 10-year performance, VLUE leads with 15.97% vs 11.91% for QVAL. On fees, VLUE is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, QVAL has been the lower-risk option at 3.99%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, VLUE has performed better with a 15.97% return vs 11.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

VLUE is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.28% for QVAL.

VLUE has the higher dividend yield at 1.37%, compared with 1.16% for QVAL.

QVAL is categorized as Mid Cap Value Equities, while VLUE is Large Cap Value Equities. They also come from different issuers: Alpha Architect and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.28% for QVAL and 0.15% for VLUE.

VLUE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.83 vs 1.99), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for QVAL and VLUE

Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.

Open Portfolio Optimizer