SQLV vs. BSMC

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SQLV (Royce Quant Small-Cap Quality Value ETF) and BSMC (Brandes U.S. Small-Mid Cap Value ETF) are both Small Cap Value Equities funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, SQLV returned 25.91% vs 24.26% for BSMC. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SQLV charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for BSMC.

Performance

SQLV vs. BSMC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Royce Quant Small-Cap Quality Value ETF (SQLV) and Brandes U.S. Small-Mid Cap Value ETF (BSMC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SQLV achieves a 12.76% return, which is significantly higher than BSMC's 9.25% return.

SQLV

• 1D: -1.66%
• 1M: 1.74%
• YTD: 12.76%
• 6M: 12.70%
• 1Y: 25.91%
• 3Y*: 12.10%
• 5Y*: 6.01%
• 10Y*: —

BSMC

• 1D: -0.46%
• 1M: 0.43%
• YTD: 9.25%
• 6M: 9.99%
• 1Y: 24.26%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SQLV vs. BSMC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
SQLV Royce Quant Small-Cap Quality Value ETF	12.76%	2.50%	4.76%	17.40%
BSMC Brandes U.S. Small-Mid Cap Value ETF	9.25%	15.52%	10.21%	11.69%

Correlation

The correlation between SQLV and BSMC is 0.86, 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	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 6, 2023	0.89

The correlation between SQLV and BSMC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

SQLV vs. BSMC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SQLV	BSMC
Financial Services	18.7%	10.4%
Healthcare	18.0%	21.3%
Technology	15.4%	14.7%
Consumer Cyclical	14.2%	6.6%
Industrials	10.3%	19.1%
Consumer Defensive	8.7%	13.0%
Communication Services	5.3%	3.9%
Energy	4.4%	7.5%
Basic Materials	4.2%	3.4%
Real Estate	0.6%	-
Utilities	0.3%	-

Return for Risk

SQLV vs. BSMC — Risk / Return Rank

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

SQLV

SQLV Risk / Return Rank: 47
SQLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
SQLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
SQLV Omega Ratio Rank: 39
SQLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
SQLV Martin Ratio Rank: 52

BSMC

BSMC Risk / Return Rank: 52
BSMC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
BSMC Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
BSMC Omega Ratio Rank: 47
BSMC Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
BSMC Martin Ratio Rank: 56

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.

SQLV vs. BSMC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Royce Quant Small-Cap Quality Value ETF (SQLV) and Brandes U.S. Small-Mid Cap Value ETF (BSMC). 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.

	SQLV	BSMC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.48	1.68	-0.21
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.18	2.50	-0.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.29	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.94	2.70	+0.24
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.77	9.57	-0.80
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SQLV vs. BSMC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SQLV Sharpe Ratio is 1.48, which is comparable to the BSMC Sharpe Ratio of 1.68. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SQLV and BSMC, 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

	SQLV	BSMC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.48	1.68	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.29	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	1.13	-0.74

Drawdowns

SQLV vs. BSMC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SQLV drawdown since its inception was -48.34%, which is greater than BSMC's maximum drawdown of -19.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SQLV and BSMC.

Drawdown Indicators

	SQLV	BSMC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-48.34%	-19.15%	-29.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.84%	-9.02%	+0.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.86%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.86%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.66%	-1.95%	+0.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.95%	-2.68%	-6.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.96%	2.54%	+0.42%

Volatility

SQLV vs. BSMC - Volatility Comparison

Royce Quant Small-Cap Quality Value ETF (SQLV) has a higher volatility of 4.30% compared to Brandes U.S. Small-Mid Cap Value ETF (BSMC) at 3.97%. This indicates that SQLV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BSMC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SQLV	BSMC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.30%	3.97%	+0.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.36%	10.06%	+1.30%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.70%	14.52%	+3.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.99%	16.09%	+4.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.36%	16.09%	+7.27%

SQLV vs. BSMC - Expense Ratio Comparison

SQLV has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than BSMC's 0.70% expense ratio.

Dividends

SQLV vs. BSMC - Dividend Comparison

SQLV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.01%, more than BSMC's 0.95% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BSMC Brandes U.S. Small-Mid Cap Value ETF	0.95%	1.17%	1.02%	0.15%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SQLV Royce Quant Small-Cap Quality Value ETF	1.01%	1.15%	1.11%	1.09%	1.24%	1.12%	1.22%	1.20%	1.08%	0.40%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SQLV and BSMC in my portfolio?

SQLV and BSMC have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SQLV or BSMC?

SQLV has higher volatility (4.30%) compared to BSMC (3.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SQLV dropped -48.34% vs BSMC's -19.15%.

Which ETF is better, SQLV or BSMC?

On 1-year performance, SQLV leads with 25.91% vs 24.26% for BSMC. On fees, SQLV is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, BSMC has been the lower-risk option at 3.97%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SQLV or BSMC?

Over the 1-year period, SQLV has performed better with a 25.91% return vs 24.26%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SQLV or BSMC?

SQLV is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for BSMC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SQLV or BSMC?

SQLV has the higher dividend yield at 1.01%, compared with 0.95% for BSMC.

What is the main difference between SQLV and BSMC?

They also come from different issuers: Franklin Templeton and Brandes. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for SQLV and 0.70% for BSMC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BSMC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.68 vs 1.48), 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.