SMLV vs. VMRXX

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

SMLV (SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF) and VMRXX (Vanguard Cash Reserves Federal Money Market Fund Admiral Shares) are both funds - SMLV is a Volatility Hedged Equity fund tracking the SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index, while VMRXX is a Money Market fund actively managed by Vanguard. SMLV is passively managed, while VMRXX is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, SMLV returned 8.02%/yr vs 2.76%/yr for VMRXX. At a 0.01 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SMLV charges 0.12%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VMRXX.

Performance

SMLV vs. VMRXX - 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 Vanguard Cash Reserves Federal Money Market Fund Admiral Shares (VMRXX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SMLV achieves a 14.81% return, which is significantly higher than VMRXX's 1.50% return.

SMLV

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: 1.40%
• YTD: 14.81%
• 6M: 15.50%
• 1Y: 23.44%
• 3Y*: 15.62%
• 5Y*: 8.02%
• 10Y*: 10.25%

VMRXX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.30%
• YTD: 1.50%
• 6M: 1.83%
• 1Y: 3.96%
• 3Y*: 3.96%
• 5Y*: 2.76%
• 10Y*: —

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

SMLV vs. VMRXX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
SMLV SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF	14.81%	5.66%	16.77%	7.52%	-7.69%	7.36%
VMRXX Vanguard Cash Reserves Federal Money Market Fund Admiral Shares	1.50%	4.25%	3.45%	4.65%	0.00%	0.01%

Correlation

The correlation between SMLV and VMRXX is -0.05, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.05
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.01
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.01
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 26, 2021	0.01

SMLV vs. VMRXX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SMLV	VMRXX
Financial Services	30.5%	17.8%
Industrials	14.3%	-
Real Estate	12.2%	-
Technology	11.2%	-
Consumer Cyclical	8.7%	-
Healthcare	8.7%	-
Consumer Defensive	4.3%	-
Basic Materials	3.2%	-
Utilities	2.9%	-
Communication Services	2.2%	-
Energy	1.8%	-

Return for Risk

SMLV vs. VMRXX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SMLV

SMLV Risk / Return Rank: 54
SMLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
SMLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
SMLV Omega Ratio Rank: 49
SMLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
SMLV Martin Ratio Rank: 55

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. VMRXX - 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 Vanguard Cash Reserves Federal Money Market Fund Admiral Shares (VMRXX). 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	VMRXX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.50	3.67	-2.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.17	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.21	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.78	—	—
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. VMRXX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SMLV Sharpe Ratio is 1.50, which is lower than the VMRXX Sharpe Ratio of 3.67. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SMLV and VMRXX, 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	VMRXX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.50	3.67	-2.17
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.44	2.77	-2.33
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	2.76	-2.21

Drawdowns

SMLV vs. VMRXX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMLV drawdown since its inception was -42.45%, which is greater than VMRXX's maximum drawdown of 0.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMLV and VMRXX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SMLV	VMRXX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.45%	0.00%	-42.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.34%	0.00%	-7.34%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.40%	0.00%	-20.40%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.40%	0.00%	-20.40%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.45%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.45%	0.00%	-5.45%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.68%	0.00%	+2.68%

Volatility

SMLV vs. VMRXX - Volatility Comparison

SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF (SMLV) has a higher volatility of 4.09% compared to Vanguard Cash Reserves Federal Money Market Fund Admiral Shares (VMRXX) at 0.30%. This indicates that SMLV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VMRXX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SMLV	VMRXX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.09%	0.30%	+3.79%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.92%	0.79%	+9.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.73%	1.12%	+14.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.29%	1.02%	+17.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.96%	1.02%	+19.94%

SMLV vs. VMRXX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SMLV has a 0.12% expense ratio, which is higher than VMRXX's 0.10% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SMLV vs. VMRXX - Dividend Comparison

SMLV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.31%, less than VMRXX's 3.88% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
VMRXX Vanguard Cash Reserves Federal Money Market Fund Admiral Shares	3.88%	4.15%	3.38%	4.54%	0.00%	0.01%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SMLV and VMRXX in my portfolio?

SMLV and VMRXX have a correlation of -0.05, 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 VMRXX?

SMLV has higher volatility (4.09%) compared to VMRXX (0.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SMLV dropped -42.45% vs VMRXX's 0.00%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VMRXX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.67 vs 1.50), 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.