SDVY vs. SMMV

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

SDVY (First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF) and SMMV (iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds - SDVY tracks the NASDAQ US Small Mid Cap Rising Dividend Achievers™ Index while SMMV tracks the MSCI USA Small Cap Minimum Volatility (USD) Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SDVY returned 10.56%/yr vs 6.29%/yr for SMMV. Their 0.77 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. SDVY charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for SMMV.

Performance

SDVY vs. SMMV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (SDVY) and iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF (SMMV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SDVY achieves a 14.77% return, which is significantly higher than SMMV's 9.33% return.

SDVY

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 1.44%
• 6M: 8.90%
• YTD: 14.77%
• 1Y: 24.71%
• 3Y*: 15.03%
• 5Y*: 10.56%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 11.30%

SMMV

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: 0.56%
• 6M: 7.36%
• YTD: 9.33%
• 1Y: 16.10%
• 3Y*: 12.24%
• 5Y*: 6.29%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 8.71%

*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)
SDVY First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	$38.61M	$37.48M	$45.12M
SMMV iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF	$337.38K	$347.17K	$431.55K

SDVY vs. SMMV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SDVY First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	14.77%	8.83%	11.19%	28.58%	-11.98%	29.13%	11.72%	25.62%	-15.26%	5.62%
SMMV iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF	9.33%	6.42%	18.29%	5.63%	-10.00%	16.64%	-2.88%	24.21%	1.15%	2.74%

Correlation

The correlation between SDVY and SMMV is 0.76, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.76
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 3, 2017	0.77

The correlation between SDVY and SMMV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

SDVY vs. SMMV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SDVY	SMMV
Financial Services	33.9%	9.2%
Industrials	27.6%	13.6%
Consumer Cyclical	9.2%	5.3%
Technology	8.6%	13.7%
Basic Materials	5.7%	1.6%
Consumer Defensive	5.2%	7.6%
Healthcare	3.4%	18.7%
Energy	2.9%	5.2%
Communication Services	2.3%	5.1%
Real Estate	0.6%	12.5%
Utilities	0.6%	7.5%

Return for Risk

SDVY vs. SMMV — Risk / Return Rank

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

SDVY

SDVY Risk / Return Rank: 69
SDVY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
SDVY Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
SDVY Omega Ratio Rank: 64
SDVY Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
SDVY Martin Ratio Rank: 70

SMMV

SMMV Risk / Return Rank: 66
SMMV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
SMMV Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
SMMV Omega Ratio Rank: 68
SMMV Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
SMMV Martin Ratio Rank: 56

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.

SDVY vs. SMMV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (SDVY) and iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF (SMMV). 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.

	SDVY	SMMV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.52	1.58	-0.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.33	2.42	-0.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.28	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.46	2.19	+0.27
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.50	6.75	+1.74

SDVY vs. SMMV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SDVY Sharpe Ratio is 1.52, which is comparable to the SMMV Sharpe Ratio of 1.58. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SDVY and SMMV, 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

SDVY vs. SMMV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SDVY drawdown since its inception was -44.70%, which is greater than SMMV's maximum drawdown of -38.77%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SDVY and SMMV.

Drawdown Indicators

	SDVY	SMMV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.70%	-38.77%	-5.93%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.28%	-7.02%	-2.26%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.92%	-13.68%	-12.24%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.92%	-18.00%	-7.92%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.82%	-1.07%	+0.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.58%	-5.04%	-2.54%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.69%	2.28%	+0.41%

Volatility

SDVY vs. SMMV - Volatility Comparison

First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (SDVY) has a higher volatility of 3.69% compared to iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF (SMMV) at 2.85%. This indicates that SDVY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SMMV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SDVY	SMMV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.69%	2.85%	+0.84%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.58%	6.98%	+3.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.07%	9.75%	+5.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.84%	13.44%	+7.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.65%	15.62%	+9.03%

SDVY vs. SMMV - Expense Ratio Comparison

SDVY has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than SMMV's 0.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

SDVY vs. SMMV - Dividend Comparison

SDVY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.94%, less than SMMV's 1.66% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
SDVY First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	0.94%	1.69%	1.60%	1.90%	2.28%	1.09%	1.48%	1.69%	1.57%	0.29%	0.00%
SMMV iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF	1.66%	1.77%	1.76%	2.30%	1.67%	1.08%	1.39%	1.64%	1.72%	1.63%	0.79%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SDVY and SMMV in my portfolio?

SDVY and SMMV have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SDVY or SMMV?

SDVY has higher volatility (3.69%) compared to SMMV (2.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SDVY dropped -44.70% vs SMMV's -38.77%.

Which ETF is better, SDVY or SMMV?

On 5-year performance, SDVY leads with 10.56% vs 6.29% for SMMV. On fees, SMMV is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, SMMV has been the lower-risk option at 2.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SDVY or SMMV?

Over the 5-year period, SDVY has performed better with a 10.56% return vs 6.29%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SDVY or SMMV?

SMMV is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for SDVY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SDVY or SMMV?

SMMV has the higher dividend yield at 1.66%, compared with 0.94% for SDVY.

What is the main difference between SDVY and SMMV?

SDVY tracks NASDAQ US Small Mid Cap Rising Dividend Achievers™ Index, while SMMV tracks MSCI USA Small Cap Minimum Volatility (USD) Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for SDVY and 0.20% for SMMV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMMV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.58 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.