SVAL vs. EPSV

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SVAL (iShares US Small Cap Value Factor ETF) and EPSV (Harbor SMID Cap Value ETF) are both Small Cap Value Equities funds. SVAL is passively managed, while EPSV is actively managed. Over the past year, SVAL returned 34.88% vs 46.19% for EPSV. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SVAL charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.88%/yr for EPSV.

Performance

SVAL vs. EPSV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares US Small Cap Value Factor ETF (SVAL) and Harbor SMID Cap Value ETF (EPSV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SVAL achieves a 15.99% return, which is significantly lower than EPSV's 26.42% return.

SVAL

• 1D: -1.51%
• 1M: 2.08%
• YTD: 15.99%
• 6M: 15.39%
• 1Y: 34.88%
• 3Y*: 17.30%
• 5Y*: 6.47%
• 10Y*: —

EPSV

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: 7.26%
• YTD: 26.42%
• 6M: 26.98%
• 1Y: 46.19%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SVAL vs. EPSV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
SVAL iShares US Small Cap Value Factor ETF	15.99%	18.91%
EPSV Harbor SMID Cap Value ETF	26.42%	20.91%

Correlation

The correlation between SVAL and EPSV 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 May 5, 2025	0.87

The correlation between SVAL and EPSV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

SVAL vs. EPSV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SVAL	EPSV
Financial Services	23.7%	19.1%
Industrials	15.8%	24.9%
Consumer Cyclical	13.7%	5.8%
Technology	10.7%	22.7%
Healthcare	10.3%	0.9%
Energy	7.7%	6.1%
Basic Materials	6.1%	4.3%
Consumer Defensive	4.1%	5.0%
Utilities	3.3%	3.7%
Real Estate	2.7%	7.5%
Communication Services	1.8%	-

Return for Risk

SVAL vs. EPSV — Risk / Return Rank

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

SVAL

SVAL Risk / Return Rank: 64
SVAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
SVAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
SVAL Omega Ratio Rank: 56
SVAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
SVAL Martin Ratio Rank: 67

EPSV

EPSV Risk / Return Rank: 83
EPSV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
EPSV Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
EPSV Omega Ratio Rank: 77
EPSV Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
EPSV Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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.

SVAL vs. EPSV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares US Small Cap Value Factor ETF (SVAL) and Harbor SMID Cap Value ETF (EPSV). 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.

	SVAL	EPSV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.97	2.62	-0.66
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.88	3.68	-0.80
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.46	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.92	5.19	-1.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.29	18.03	-5.74
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SVAL vs. EPSV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SVAL Sharpe Ratio is 1.97, which is comparable to the EPSV Sharpe Ratio of 2.62. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SVAL and EPSV, 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

	SVAL	EPSV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.97	2.62	-0.66
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.29	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.70	2.66	-1.96

Drawdowns

SVAL vs. EPSV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SVAL drawdown since its inception was -27.44%, which is greater than EPSV's maximum drawdown of -8.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SVAL and EPSV.

Drawdown Indicators

	SVAL	EPSV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-27.44%	-8.93%	-18.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.94%	-8.93%	-0.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.44%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.44%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.51%	-0.04%	-1.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.51%	-1.67%	-6.84%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.85%	2.57%	+0.28%

Volatility

SVAL vs. EPSV - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares US Small Cap Value Factor ETF (SVAL) is 4.31%, while Harbor SMID Cap Value ETF (EPSV) has a volatility of 6.05%. This indicates that SVAL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EPSV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SVAL	EPSV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.31%	6.05%	-1.74%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.62%	12.80%	-1.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.87%	17.75%	+0.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.33%	18.14%	+4.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.27%	18.14%	+5.13%

SVAL vs. EPSV - Expense Ratio Comparison

SVAL has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than EPSV's 0.88% expense ratio.

Dividends

SVAL vs. EPSV - Dividend Comparison

SVAL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.27%, which matches EPSV's 2.28% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
EPSV Harbor SMID Cap Value ETF	2.28%	2.88%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SVAL iShares US Small Cap Value Factor ETF	2.27%	2.33%	1.82%	2.25%	2.09%	2.33%	0.28%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SVAL and EPSV in my portfolio?

SVAL and EPSV 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, SVAL or EPSV?

EPSV has higher volatility (6.05%) compared to SVAL (4.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SVAL dropped -27.44% vs EPSV's -8.93%.

Which ETF is better, SVAL or EPSV?

On 1-year performance, EPSV leads with 46.19% vs 34.88% for SVAL. On fees, SVAL is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, SVAL has been the lower-risk option at 4.31%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SVAL or EPSV?

Over the 1-year period, EPSV has performed better with a 46.19% return vs 34.88%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SVAL or EPSV?

SVAL is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.88% for EPSV.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SVAL or EPSV?

SVAL and EPSV have nearly identical dividend yields, around 2.27%.

What is the main difference between SVAL and EPSV?

They also come from different issuers: iShares and Harbor. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for SVAL and 0.88% for EPSV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EPSV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.62 vs 1.97), 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.