SMLV vs. ROSC

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SMLV (SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF) and ROSC (Hartford Multifactor Small Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SMLV is a Volatility Hedged Equity fund tracking the SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index, while ROSC is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the ROSC-US - Hartford Multifactor Small Cap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SMLV returned 10.05%/yr vs 10.48%/yr for ROSC. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SMLV charges 0.12%/yr vs 0.34%/yr for ROSC.

Performance

SMLV vs. ROSC - 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 Hartford Multifactor Small Cap ETF (ROSC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SMLV achieves a 12.88% return, which is significantly higher than ROSC's 11.71% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with SMLV having a 10.05% annualized return and ROSC not far ahead at 10.48%.

SMLV

• 1D: -1.48%
• 1M: 1.39%
• YTD: 12.88%
• 6M: 12.84%
• 1Y: 21.90%
• 3Y*: 15.66%
• 5Y*: 7.75%
• 10Y*: 10.05%

ROSC

• 1D: -0.88%
• 1M: 0.50%
• YTD: 11.71%
• 6M: 12.39%
• 1Y: 30.49%
• 3Y*: 15.86%
• 5Y*: 8.05%
• 10Y*: 10.48%

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

SMLV vs. ROSC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SMLV SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF	12.88%	5.66%	16.77%	7.52%	-7.69%	27.67%	-1.55%	24.10%	-6.62%	5.68%
ROSC Hartford Multifactor Small Cap ETF	11.71%	10.18%	7.28%	18.88%	-10.58%	31.37%	5.27%	17.09%	-12.38%	24.49%

Correlation

The correlation between SMLV and ROSC is 0.93, 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	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 25, 2015	0.82

The correlation between SMLV and ROSC shifts across timeframes, from 0.82 (all time) to 0.93 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SMLV vs. ROSC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SMLV	ROSC
Financial Services	30.5%	18.7%
Industrials	14.3%	11.2%
Real Estate	12.2%	5.5%
Technology	11.2%	12.1%
Consumer Cyclical	8.7%	14.1%
Healthcare	8.7%	20.1%
Consumer Defensive	4.3%	6.6%
Basic Materials	3.2%	2.5%
Utilities	2.9%	1.9%
Communication Services	2.2%	3.6%
Energy	1.8%	3.8%

Return for Risk

SMLV vs. ROSC — Risk / Return Rank

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

SMLV

SMLV Risk / Return Rank: 45
SMLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
SMLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
SMLV Omega Ratio Rank: 39
SMLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
SMLV Martin Ratio Rank: 49

ROSC

ROSC Risk / Return Rank: 65
ROSC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
ROSC Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
ROSC Omega Ratio Rank: 57
ROSC Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
ROSC Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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. ROSC - 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 Hartford Multifactor Small Cap ETF (ROSC). 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	ROSC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.40	1.97	-0.57
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.05	2.90	-0.85
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.35	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.00	3.95	-0.96
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.20	12.81	-4.61
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. ROSC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SMLV Sharpe Ratio is 1.40, which is comparable to the ROSC Sharpe Ratio of 1.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SMLV and ROSC, 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	ROSC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.40	1.97	-0.57
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.43	0.42	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.48	0.52	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.54	0.46	+0.08

Drawdowns

SMLV vs. ROSC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMLV drawdown since its inception was -42.45%, roughly equal to the maximum ROSC drawdown of -43.13%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMLV and ROSC.

Drawdown Indicators

	SMLV	ROSC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.45%	-43.13%	+0.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.34%	-7.75%	+0.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.40%	-23.74%	+3.34%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.40%	-23.74%	+3.34%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.45%	-43.13%	+0.68%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.48%	-1.76%	+0.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.46%	-7.21%	+1.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.68%	2.39%	+0.29%

Volatility

SMLV vs. ROSC - Volatility Comparison

SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF (SMLV) has a higher volatility of 3.98% compared to Hartford Multifactor Small Cap ETF (ROSC) at 3.54%. This indicates that SMLV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ROSC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SMLV	ROSC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.98%	3.54%	+0.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.88%	10.30%	-0.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.73%	15.56%	+0.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.28%	19.32%	-1.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.95%	20.28%	+0.67%

SMLV vs. ROSC - Expense Ratio Comparison

SMLV has a 0.12% expense ratio, which is lower than ROSC's 0.34% expense ratio.

Dividends

SMLV vs. ROSC - Dividend Comparison

SMLV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.35%, more than ROSC's 1.87% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ROSC Hartford Multifactor Small Cap ETF	1.87%	2.08%	2.00%	2.01%	1.51%	2.13%	1.75%	3.05%	2.86%	2.13%	2.20%	2.48%
SMLV SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF	2.35%	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 ROSC in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, SMLV and ROSC move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, SMLV or ROSC?

SMLV has higher volatility (3.98%) compared to ROSC (3.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SMLV dropped -42.45% vs ROSC's -43.13%.

Which ETF is better, SMLV or ROSC?

On 10-year performance, ROSC leads with 10.48% vs 10.05% for SMLV. On fees, SMLV is cheaper at 0.12% per year. On volatility, ROSC has been the lower-risk option at 3.54%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SMLV or ROSC?

Over the 10-year period, ROSC has performed better with a 10.48% return vs 10.05%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SMLV or ROSC?

SMLV is cheaper with a 0.12% expense ratio, compared with 0.34% for ROSC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SMLV or ROSC?

SMLV has the higher dividend yield at 2.35%, compared with 1.87% for ROSC.

What is the main difference between SMLV and ROSC?

SMLV is categorized as Volatility Hedged Equity, while ROSC is Small Cap Blend Equities. SMLV tracks SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index, while ROSC tracks ROSC-US - Hartford Multifactor Small Cap Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Hartford. Their fees differ too: 0.12% for SMLV and 0.34% for ROSC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ROSC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.97 vs 1.40), 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.