SDY vs. QVAL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SDY (SPDR S&P Dividend ETF) and QVAL (Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF) are both Mid Cap Value Equities funds. SDY is passively managed, while QVAL is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, SDY returned 9.29%/yr vs 11.64%/yr for QVAL. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SDY charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.28%/yr for QVAL.

Performance

SDY vs. QVAL - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SDY achieves a 7.49% return, which is significantly lower than QVAL's 14.68% return. Over the past 10 years, SDY has underperformed QVAL with an annualized return of 9.29%, while QVAL has yielded a comparatively higher 11.64% annualized return.

SDY

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: 0.81%
• YTD: 7.49%
• 6M: 7.45%
• 1Y: 12.80%
• 3Y*: 9.83%
• 5Y*: 5.97%
• 10Y*: 9.29%

QVAL

• 1D: -0.23%
• 1M: 4.34%
• YTD: 14.68%
• 6M: 15.27%
• 1Y: 29.65%
• 3Y*: 21.66%
• 5Y*: 12.15%
• 10Y*: 11.64%

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

SDY vs. QVAL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SDY SPDR S&P Dividend ETF	7.49%	8.18%	8.45%	2.61%	-0.54%	25.32%	1.71%	23.29%	-2.74%	15.82%
QVAL Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF	14.68%	10.98%	12.21%	28.40%	-11.80%	34.40%	-5.93%	24.06%	-17.28%	25.59%

Correlation

The correlation between SDY and QVAL is 0.75, 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	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2016	0.78

The correlation between SDY and QVAL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.

SDY vs. QVAL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SDY	QVAL
Industrials	17.5%	15.0%
Consumer Defensive	17.1%	7.9%
Utilities	14.8%	-
Financial Services	11.5%	-
Technology	8.7%	16.7%
Basic Materials	6.4%	7.6%
Healthcare	6.2%	11.1%
Consumer Cyclical	5.2%	32.4%
Real Estate	4.6%	2.0%
Energy	4.6%	5.5%
Communication Services	3.5%	3.8%

Return for Risk

SDY vs. QVAL — Risk / Return Rank

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

SDY

SDY Risk / Return Rank: 33
SDY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
SDY Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
SDY Omega Ratio Rank: 31
SDY Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
SDY Martin Ratio Rank: 31

QVAL

QVAL Risk / Return Rank: 69
QVAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
QVAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
QVAL Omega Ratio Rank: 57
QVAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
QVAL Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

SDY vs. QVAL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Dividend ETF (SDY) and Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF (QVAL). 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.

	SDY	QVAL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.25	2.07	-0.82
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.92	3.21	-1.29
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.35	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.68	4.93	-3.26
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.60	13.98	-9.38
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SDY vs. QVAL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SDY Sharpe Ratio is 1.25, which is lower than the QVAL Sharpe Ratio of 2.07. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SDY and QVAL, 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

	SDY	QVAL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.25	2.07	-0.82
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.43	0.56	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55	0.51	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.47	0.49	-0.02

Drawdowns

SDY vs. QVAL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SDY drawdown since its inception was -54.75%, which is greater than QVAL's maximum drawdown of -51.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SDY and QVAL.

Drawdown Indicators

	SDY	QVAL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.75%	-51.49%	-3.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.67%	-6.04%	-1.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.39%	-21.41%	+7.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.21%	-27.17%	+11.96%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.70%	-51.49%	+14.79%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.07%	-0.78%	-3.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.21%	-7.80%	+1.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.79%	2.13%	+0.66%

Volatility

SDY vs. QVAL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR S&P Dividend ETF (SDY) is 2.47%, while Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF (QVAL) has a volatility of 4.16%. This indicates that SDY experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QVAL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SDY	QVAL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.47%	4.16%	-1.69%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.43%	10.06%	-2.63%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.33%	14.44%	-4.11%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.03%	21.63%	-7.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.08%	22.79%	-5.71%

SDY vs. QVAL - Expense Ratio Comparison

SDY has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than QVAL's 0.28% expense ratio.

Dividends

SDY vs. QVAL - Dividend Comparison

SDY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.48%, more than QVAL's 1.46% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QVAL Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF	1.46%	1.44%	1.72%	1.76%	2.00%	1.23%	1.86%	1.99%	1.64%	1.08%	1.30%	0.00%
SDY SPDR S&P Dividend ETF	2.48%	2.61%	2.56%	2.64%	2.55%	2.63%	2.85%	2.45%	2.73%	4.69%	3.30%	6.20%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SDY and QVAL in my portfolio?

SDY and QVAL have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SDY or QVAL?

QVAL has higher volatility (4.16%) compared to SDY (2.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SDY dropped -54.75% vs QVAL's -51.49%.

Which ETF is better, SDY or QVAL?

On 10-year performance, QVAL leads with 11.64% vs 9.29% for SDY. On fees, QVAL is cheaper at 0.28% per year. On volatility, SDY has been the lower-risk option at 2.47%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SDY or QVAL?

Over the 10-year period, QVAL has performed better with a 11.64% return vs 9.29%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SDY or QVAL?

QVAL is cheaper with a 0.28% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for SDY.

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

SDY has the higher dividend yield at 2.48%, compared with 1.46% for QVAL.

What is the main difference between SDY and QVAL?

They also come from different issuers: State Street and Alpha Architect. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for SDY and 0.28% for QVAL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QVAL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.07 vs 1.25), 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.