SIMS vs. IVAL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SIMS (SPDR S&P Kensho Intelligent Structures ETF) and IVAL (Alpha Architect International Quantitative Value ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SIMS is a Global Equities fund tracking the S&P Kensho Intelligent Infrastructure Index, while IVAL is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund actively managed by Alpha Architect. SIMS is passively managed, while IVAL is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, SIMS returned 0.71%/yr vs 8.36%/yr for IVAL. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SIMS charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for IVAL.

Performance

SIMS vs. IVAL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P Kensho Intelligent Structures ETF (SIMS) and Alpha Architect International Quantitative Value ETF (IVAL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with SIMS having a 13.06% return and IVAL slightly higher at 13.29%.

SIMS

• 1D: -0.74%
• 1M: 1.83%
• YTD: 13.06%
• 6M: 9.06%
• 1Y: 39.98%
• 3Y*: 12.52%
• 5Y*: 0.71%
• 10Y*: —

IVAL

• 1D: -0.50%
• 1M: 3.49%
• YTD: 13.29%
• 6M: 16.64%
• 1Y: 32.20%
• 3Y*: 19.90%
• 5Y*: 8.36%
• 10Y*: 8.01%

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

SIMS vs. IVAL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SIMS SPDR S&P Kensho Intelligent Structures ETF	13.06%	23.75%	-0.27%	7.43%	-27.13%	9.00%	29.88%	35.30%	-18.07%	0.03%
IVAL Alpha Architect International Quantitative Value ETF	13.29%	34.92%	-0.71%	20.61%	-10.06%	-0.22%	-4.94%	21.26%	-22.50%	0.43%

Correlation

The correlation between SIMS and IVAL is 0.50, 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	0.50
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.57
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.62
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 28, 2017	0.64

The correlation between SIMS and IVAL shifts across timeframes, from 0.50 (1 year) to 0.64 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SIMS vs. IVAL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SIMS	IVAL
Industrials	51.4%	28.5%
Technology	22.2%	3.9%
Energy	11.0%	11.6%
Communication Services	5.5%	2.1%
Consumer Cyclical	3.4%	23.5%
Basic Materials	3.3%	21.2%
Utilities	3.2%	-
Consumer Defensive	-	7.4%
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	1.8%
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

SIMS vs. IVAL — Risk / Return Rank

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

SIMS

SIMS Risk / Return Rank: 48
SIMS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
SIMS Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
SIMS Omega Ratio Rank: 47
SIMS Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
SIMS Martin Ratio Rank: 42

IVAL

IVAL Risk / Return Rank: 61
IVAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
IVAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
IVAL Omega Ratio Rank: 62
IVAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
IVAL Martin Ratio Rank: 57

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.

SIMS vs. IVAL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Kensho Intelligent Structures ETF (SIMS) and Alpha Architect International Quantitative Value ETF (IVAL). 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.

	SIMS	IVAL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.74	2.11	-0.38
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.31	2.96	-0.65
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.38	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.54	2.88	-0.33
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.65	10.17	-3.52
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SIMS vs. IVAL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SIMS Sharpe Ratio is 1.74, which is comparable to the IVAL Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SIMS and IVAL, 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

	SIMS	IVAL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.74	2.11	-0.38
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.03	0.47	-0.45
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.43	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.25	0.34	-0.09

Drawdowns

SIMS vs. IVAL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SIMS drawdown since its inception was -43.97%, roughly equal to the maximum IVAL drawdown of -46.09%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SIMS and IVAL.

Drawdown Indicators

	SIMS	IVAL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.97%	-46.09%	+2.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.79%	-11.24%	-4.55%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.78%	-14.92%	-13.86%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.97%	-31.01%	-12.96%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-46.09%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.74%	-2.94%	+2.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.09%	-12.00%	-4.09%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.03%	3.18%	+2.85%

Volatility

SIMS vs. IVAL - Volatility Comparison

SPDR S&P Kensho Intelligent Structures ETF (SIMS) has a higher volatility of 5.15% compared to Alpha Architect International Quantitative Value ETF (IVAL) at 3.82%. This indicates that SIMS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IVAL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SIMS	IVAL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.15%	3.82%	+1.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.95%	12.00%	+2.95%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.26%	15.37%	+7.89%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.08%	17.74%	+7.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.02%	18.84%	+7.18%

SIMS vs. IVAL - Expense Ratio Comparison

SIMS has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than IVAL's 0.39% expense ratio.

Dividends

SIMS vs. IVAL - Dividend Comparison

SIMS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.57%, less than IVAL's 2.66% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IVAL Alpha Architect International Quantitative Value ETF	2.66%	2.75%	3.60%	5.15%	8.00%	3.95%	2.07%	2.51%	2.93%	1.73%	2.02%	1.86%
SIMS SPDR S&P Kensho Intelligent Structures ETF	0.57%	0.66%	0.88%	1.49%	1.48%	0.97%	0.58%	1.24%	0.85%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SIMS and IVAL in my portfolio?

SIMS and IVAL have a correlation of 0.50, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SIMS or IVAL?

SIMS has higher volatility (5.15%) compared to IVAL (3.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SIMS dropped -43.97% vs IVAL's -46.09%.

Which ETF is better, SIMS or IVAL?

On 5-year performance, IVAL leads with 8.36% vs 0.71% for SIMS. On fees, IVAL is cheaper at 0.39% per year. On volatility, IVAL has been the lower-risk option at 3.82%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SIMS or IVAL?

Over the 5-year period, IVAL has performed better with a 8.36% return vs 0.71%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SIMS or IVAL?

IVAL is cheaper with a 0.39% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for SIMS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SIMS or IVAL?

IVAL has the higher dividend yield at 2.66%, compared with 0.57% for SIMS.

What is the main difference between SIMS and IVAL?

SIMS is categorized as Global Equities, while IVAL is Foreign Large Cap Equities. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Alpha Architect. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for SIMS and 0.39% for IVAL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IVAL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.11 vs 1.74), 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.