SELV vs. USMV

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

SELV (SEI Enhanced Low Volatility US Large Cap ETF) and USMV (iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. SELV is actively managed, while USMV is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, SELV returned 10.32%/yr vs 10.93%/yr for USMV. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.15% expense ratio.

Performance

SELV vs. USMV - 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 MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (USMV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SELV achieves a 0.56% return, which is significantly lower than USMV's 1.14% return.

SELV

• 1D: 1.35%
• 1M: -2.81%
• YTD: 0.56%
• 6M: 0.05%
• 1Y: 6.26%
• 3Y*: 10.32%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

USMV

• 1D: 0.29%
• 1M: -2.10%
• YTD: 1.14%
• 6M: 0.51%
• 1Y: 3.59%
• 3Y*: 10.93%
• 5Y*: 7.02%
• 10Y*: 9.79%

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

SELV vs. USMV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
SELV SEI Enhanced Low Volatility US Large Cap ETF	0.56%	12.86%	14.71%	6.58%	-0.61%
USMV iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF	1.14%	7.65%	15.74%	10.33%	0.21%

Correlation

The correlation between SELV and USMV is 0.85, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 18, 2022	0.93

The correlation between SELV and USMV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

SELV vs. USMV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SELV	USMV
Technology	21.4%	33.9%
Healthcare	17.0%	12.6%
Communication Services	15.8%	6.2%
Consumer Defensive	12.3%	9.4%
Utilities	7.6%	6.9%
Industrials	7.5%	6.1%
Consumer Cyclical	4.9%	5.7%
Financial Services	4.8%	11.7%
Energy	4.3%	2.7%
Basic Materials	2.8%	2.4%
Real Estate	0.1%	2.5%

Return for Risk

SELV vs. USMV — Risk / Return Rank

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

SELV

SELV Risk / Return Rank: 21
SELV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
SELV Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
SELV Omega Ratio Rank: 19
SELV Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
SELV Martin Ratio Rank: 24

USMV

USMV Risk / Return Rank: 15
USMV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
USMV Sortino Ratio Rank: 13
USMV Omega Ratio Rank: 13
USMV Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
USMV Martin Ratio Rank: 17

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. USMV - 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 MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (USMV). 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	USMV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.70	0.42	+0.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.04	0.65	+0.39
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.08	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.06	0.56	+0.50
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.90	1.82	+1.07

SELV vs. USMV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SELV Sharpe Ratio is 0.70, which is higher than the USMV Sharpe Ratio of 0.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SELV and USMV, 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. USMV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SELV drawdown since its inception was -13.73%, smaller than the maximum USMV drawdown of -33.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SELV and USMV.

Drawdown Indicators

	SELV	USMV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.73%	-33.10%	+19.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.92%	-6.46%	+0.54%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.94%	-9.36%	+0.42%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-17.93%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.10%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.24%	-2.63%	-1.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.37%	-2.87%	+0.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.17%	1.98%	+0.19%

Volatility

SELV vs. USMV - Volatility Comparison

SEI Enhanced Low Volatility US Large Cap ETF (SELV) has a higher volatility of 3.23% compared to iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (USMV) at 2.63%. This indicates that SELV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than USMV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SELV	USMV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.23%	2.63%	+0.60%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.81%	6.14%	+0.67%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.05%	8.60%	+0.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.90%	12.35%	-0.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.90%	14.51%	-2.61%

SELV vs. USMV - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both SELV and USMV have an expense ratio of 0.15%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SELV vs. USMV - Dividend Comparison

SELV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.78%, more than USMV's 1.53% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SELV SEI Enhanced Low Volatility US Large Cap ETF	1.78%	1.74%	1.77%	2.06%	1.26%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
USMV iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF	1.53%	1.49%	1.67%	1.82%	1.62%	1.26%	1.81%	1.88%	2.12%	1.77%	2.22%	2.02%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SELV and USMV in my portfolio?

SELV and USMV have a correlation of 0.85, 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 USMV?

SELV has higher volatility (3.23%) compared to USMV (2.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SELV dropped -13.73% vs USMV's -33.10%.

Which ETF is better, SELV or USMV?

On 3-year performance, USMV leads with 10.93% vs 10.32% for SELV. Both ETFs have the same 0.15% expense ratio. On volatility, USMV has been the lower-risk option at 2.63%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SELV or USMV?

Over the 3-year period, USMV has performed better with a 10.93% return vs 10.32%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SELV or USMV?

SELV and USMV have the same expense ratio: 0.15% per year.

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

SELV has the higher dividend yield at 1.78%, compared with 1.53% for USMV.

What is the main difference between SELV and USMV?

They also come from different issuers: SEI and iShares.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SELV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.70 vs 0.42), 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.