SMLV vs. BSCMX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

SMLV (SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF) and BSCMX (Brandes Small Cap Value Fund) are both funds - SMLV is a Volatility Hedged Equity fund tracking the SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index, while BSCMX is a Small Cap Value Equities fund managed by Brandes. Over the past 5 years, SMLV returned 8.07%/yr vs 15.20%/yr for BSCMX. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SMLV charges 0.12%/yr vs 0.91%/yr for BSCMX.

Performance

SMLV vs. BSCMX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF (SMLV) and Brandes Small Cap Value Fund (BSCMX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with SMLV having a 14.58% return and BSCMX slightly lower at 14.47%.

SMLV

• 1D: 1.51%
• 1M: 1.85%
• YTD: 14.58%
• 6M: 14.63%
• 1Y: 24.52%
• 3Y*: 16.97%
• 5Y*: 8.07%
• 10Y*: 10.15%

BSCMX

• 1D: -1.04%
• 1M: -1.21%
• YTD: 14.47%
• 6M: 16.11%
• 1Y: 40.15%
• 3Y*: 25.02%
• 5Y*: 15.20%
• 10Y*: —

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

SMLV vs. BSCMX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
SMLV SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF	14.58%	5.66%	16.77%	7.52%	-7.69%	27.67%	-1.55%	24.10%	-7.03%
BSCMX Brandes Small Cap Value Fund	14.47%	23.51%	24.77%	22.75%	-7.89%	27.61%	20.38%	12.82%	-12.23%

Correlation

The correlation between SMLV and BSCMX is 0.83, 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	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 9, 2018	0.86

The correlation between SMLV and BSCMX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SMLV vs. BSCMX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SMLV

SMLV Risk / Return Rank: 52
SMLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
SMLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
SMLV Omega Ratio Rank: 46
SMLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
SMLV Martin Ratio Rank: 54

BSCMX

BSCMX Risk / Return Rank: 68
BSCMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
BSCMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
BSCMX Omega Ratio Rank: 51
BSCMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
BSCMX Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

SMLV vs. BSCMX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF (SMLV) and Brandes Small Cap Value Fund (BSCMX). 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.

	SMLV	BSCMX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.57	2.34	-0.77
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.26	3.36	-1.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.39	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.35	4.20	-0.84
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.18	14.24	-5.06
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SMLV vs. BSCMX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SMLV Sharpe Ratio is 1.57, which is lower than the BSCMX Sharpe Ratio of 2.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SMLV and BSCMX, 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

	SMLV	BSCMX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.57	2.34	-0.77
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.44	0.85	-0.41
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.55	0.69	-0.14

Drawdowns

SMLV vs. BSCMX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMLV drawdown since its inception was -42.45%, which is greater than BSCMX's maximum drawdown of -38.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMLV and BSCMX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SMLV	BSCMX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.45%	-38.12%	-4.33%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.34%	-9.65%	+2.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.40%	-22.34%	+1.94%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.40%	-22.34%	+1.94%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.45%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-2.30%	+2.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.46%	-6.03%	+0.57%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.68%	2.84%	-0.16%

Volatility

SMLV vs. BSCMX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF (SMLV) is 4.12%, while Brandes Small Cap Value Fund (BSCMX) has a volatility of 4.58%. This indicates that SMLV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BSCMX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SMLV	BSCMX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.12%	4.58%	-0.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.98%	11.68%	-1.70%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.75%	17.38%	-1.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.29%	17.90%	+0.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.95%	20.60%	+0.35%

SMLV vs. BSCMX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SMLV has a 0.12% expense ratio, which is lower than BSCMX's 0.91% expense ratio.

Dividends

SMLV vs. BSCMX - Dividend Comparison

SMLV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.31%, less than BSCMX's 3.97% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BSCMX Brandes Small Cap Value Fund	3.97%	4.54%	2.31%	3.50%	2.93%	4.38%	1.76%	1.11%	9.02%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SMLV SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF	2.31%	2.74%	2.68%	2.68%	2.40%	2.12%	2.47%	2.62%	3.15%	7.92%	3.04%	2.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SMLV and BSCMX in my portfolio?

SMLV and BSCMX have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SMLV or BSCMX?

BSCMX has higher volatility (4.58%) compared to SMLV (4.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SMLV dropped -42.45% vs BSCMX's -38.12%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BSCMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.34 vs 1.57), 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.