QVAL vs. VSS

Last updated Jun 7, 2026

QVAL (Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF) and VSS (Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QVAL is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Alpha Architect, while VSS is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global Small Cap ex US Index. QVAL is actively managed, while VSS is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QVAL returned 11.40%/yr vs 7.63%/yr for VSS. A 0.67 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. QVAL charges 0.28%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VSS.

Performance

QVAL vs. VSS - 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 FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF (VSS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QVAL achieves a 14.17% return, which is significantly higher than VSS's 7.72% return. Over the past 10 years, QVAL has outperformed VSS with an annualized return of 11.40%, while VSS has yielded a comparatively lower 7.63% annualized return.

QVAL

• 1D: -0.86%
• 1M: 2.77%
• YTD: 14.17%
• 6M: 15.05%
• 1Y: 28.68%
• 3Y*: 20.83%
• 5Y*: 12.04%
• 10Y*: 11.40%

VSS

• 1D: -3.51%
• 1M: -3.65%
• YTD: 7.72%
• 6M: 9.95%
• 1Y: 22.81%
• 3Y*: 15.61%
• 5Y*: 5.20%
• 10Y*: 7.63%

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

QVAL vs. VSS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QVAL Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF	14.17%	10.98%	12.21%	28.40%	-11.80%	34.40%	-5.93%	24.06%	-17.28%	25.59%
VSS Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF	7.72%	29.61%	2.94%	15.52%	-21.48%	13.05%	11.81%	21.36%	-18.48%	30.61%

Correlation

The correlation between QVAL and VSS is 0.61, 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	0.61
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.65
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2016	0.67

The correlation between QVAL and VSS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.61 to 0.69 - a consistent structural relationship.

QVAL vs. VSS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QVAL	VSS
Consumer Cyclical	32.4%	9.3%
Technology	16.7%	13.3%
Industrials	15.0%	18.7%
Healthcare	11.1%	6.2%
Consumer Defensive	7.9%	3.4%
Basic Materials	7.6%	12.1%
Energy	5.5%	4.9%
Communication Services	3.8%	2.3%
Real Estate	2.0%	7.3%
Financial Services	-	10.8%
Utilities	-	2.5%

Return for Risk

QVAL vs. VSS — Risk / Return Rank

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

QVAL

QVAL Risk / Return Rank: 73
QVAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
QVAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
QVAL Omega Ratio Rank: 61
QVAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
QVAL Martin Ratio Rank: 77

VSS

VSS Risk / Return Rank: 44
VSS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
VSS Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
VSS Omega Ratio Rank: 45
VSS Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
VSS Martin Ratio Rank: 47

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. VSS - 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 FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF (VSS). 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	VSS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.09	1.52	+0.58
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.24	2.08	+1.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.28	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.01	1.99	+3.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.17	7.64	+6.53
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QVAL vs. VSS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QVAL Sharpe Ratio is 2.09, which is higher than the VSS Sharpe Ratio of 1.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QVAL and VSS, 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

	QVAL	VSS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.09	1.52	+0.58
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56	0.32	+0.24
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.50	0.44	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.49	0.54	-0.05

Drawdowns

QVAL vs. VSS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QVAL drawdown since its inception was -51.49%, which is greater than VSS's maximum drawdown of -43.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QVAL and VSS.

Drawdown Indicators

	QVAL	VSS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.49%	-43.51%	-7.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.04%	-11.62%	+5.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.41%	-15.73%	-5.68%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.17%	-33.93%	+6.76%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-51.49%	-43.51%	-7.98%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.23%	-5.10%	+3.87%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.79%	-9.64%	+1.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.13%	3.02%	-0.89%

Volatility

QVAL vs. VSS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF (QVAL) is 4.05%, while Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF (VSS) has a volatility of 5.93%. This indicates that QVAL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VSS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QVAL	VSS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.05%	5.93%	-1.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.03%	13.18%	-3.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.43%	15.25%	-0.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.63%	16.53%	+5.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.79%	17.30%	+5.49%

QVAL vs. VSS - Expense Ratio Comparison

QVAL has a 0.28% expense ratio, which is higher than VSS's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

QVAL vs. VSS - Dividend Comparison

QVAL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.47%, less than VSS's 3.15% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QVAL Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF	1.47%	1.44%	1.72%	1.76%	2.00%	1.23%	1.86%	1.99%	1.64%	1.08%	1.30%	0.00%
VSS Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF	3.15%	3.39%	3.44%	3.14%	2.30%	2.74%	1.90%	3.25%	2.80%	2.83%	2.93%	2.66%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QVAL and VSS in my portfolio?

QVAL and VSS have a correlation of 0.61, 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 VSS?

VSS has higher volatility (5.93%) compared to QVAL (4.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QVAL dropped -51.49% vs VSS's -43.51%.

Which ETF is better, QVAL or VSS?

On 10-year performance, QVAL leads with 11.40% vs 7.63% for VSS. On fees, VSS is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, QVAL has been the lower-risk option at 4.05%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QVAL or VSS?

Over the 10-year period, QVAL has performed better with a 11.40% return vs 7.63%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QVAL or VSS?

VSS is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.28% for QVAL.

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

VSS has the higher dividend yield at 3.15%, compared with 1.47% for QVAL.

What is the main difference between QVAL and VSS?

QVAL is categorized as Mid Cap Value Equities, while VSS is Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities. They also come from different issuers: Alpha Architect and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.28% for QVAL and 0.07% for VSS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QVAL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.09 vs 1.52), 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.