SELV vs. ESMV

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

SELV (SEI Enhanced Low Volatility US Large Cap ETF) and ESMV (iShares ESG MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. SELV is actively managed, while ESMV is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, SELV returned 10.21%/yr vs 10.56%/yr for ESMV. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SELV charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for ESMV.

Performance

SELV vs. ESMV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SEI Enhanced Low Volatility US Large Cap ETF (SELV) and iShares ESG MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (ESMV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SELV achieves a 0.25% return, which is significantly lower than ESMV's 4.61% return.

SELV

• 1D: -0.58%
• 1M: -2.45%
• YTD: 0.25%
• 6M: -0.53%
• 1Y: 6.37%
• 3Y*: 10.21%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

ESMV

• 1D: 0.33%
• 1M: -0.11%
• YTD: 4.61%
• 6M: 3.57%
• 1Y: 7.05%
• 3Y*: 10.56%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SELV vs. ESMV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
SELV SEI Enhanced Low Volatility US Large Cap ETF	0.25%	12.86%	14.71%	6.58%	-0.61%
ESMV iShares ESG MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF	4.61%	5.34%	13.06%	12.20%	1.02%

Correlation

The correlation between SELV and ESMV 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	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 18, 2022	0.90

The correlation between SELV and ESMV shifts across timeframes, from 0.75 (1 year) to 0.90 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SELV vs. ESMV — Risk / Return Rank

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

SELV

SELV Risk / Return Rank: 22
SELV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
SELV Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
SELV Omega Ratio Rank: 19
SELV Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
SELV Martin Ratio Rank: 24

ESMV

ESMV Risk / Return Rank: 22
ESMV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
ESMV Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
ESMV Omega Ratio Rank: 20
ESMV Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
ESMV Martin Ratio Rank: 25

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.

SELV vs. ESMV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SEI Enhanced Low Volatility US Large Cap ETF (SELV) and iShares ESG MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (ESMV). 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.

	SELV	ESMV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.71	0.70	+0.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.06	1.03	+0.03
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.14	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.08	1.01	+0.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.90	3.08	-0.18

SELV vs. ESMV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SELV Sharpe Ratio is 0.71, which is comparable to the ESMV Sharpe Ratio of 0.70. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SELV and ESMV, 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

SELV vs. ESMV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SELV drawdown since its inception was -13.73%, smaller than the maximum ESMV drawdown of -19.77%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SELV and ESMV.

Drawdown Indicators

	SELV	ESMV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.73%	-19.77%	+6.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.92%	-7.01%	+1.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.94%	-12.16%	+3.22%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.54%	-1.41%	-3.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.38%	-5.27%	+2.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.20%	2.30%	-0.10%

Volatility

SELV vs. ESMV - Volatility Comparison

SEI Enhanced Low Volatility US Large Cap ETF (SELV) has a higher volatility of 3.11% compared to iShares ESG MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (ESMV) at 2.66%. This indicates that SELV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ESMV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SELV	ESMV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.11%	2.66%	+0.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.83%	6.50%	+0.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.03%	10.10%	-1.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.89%	13.19%	-1.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.89%	13.19%	-1.30%

SELV vs. ESMV - Expense Ratio Comparison

SELV has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than ESMV's 0.18% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SELV vs. ESMV - Dividend Comparison

SELV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.78%, more than ESMV's 1.54% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
ESMV iShares ESG MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF	1.54%	1.56%	1.71%	1.75%	1.66%	0.24%
SELV SEI Enhanced Low Volatility US Large Cap ETF	1.78%	1.74%	1.77%	2.06%	1.26%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SELV and ESMV in my portfolio?

SELV and ESMV 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, SELV or ESMV?

SELV has higher volatility (3.11%) compared to ESMV (2.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SELV dropped -13.73% vs ESMV's -19.77%.

Which ETF is better, SELV or ESMV?

On 3-year performance, ESMV leads with 10.56% vs 10.21% for SELV. On fees, SELV is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, ESMV has been the lower-risk option at 2.66%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SELV or ESMV?

Over the 3-year period, ESMV has performed better with a 10.56% return vs 10.21%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SELV or ESMV?

SELV is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.18% for ESMV.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SELV or ESMV?

SELV has the higher dividend yield at 1.78%, compared with 1.54% for ESMV.

What is the main difference between SELV and ESMV?

They also come from different issuers: SEI and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for SELV and 0.18% for ESMV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SELV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.71 vs 0.70), 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.