USMV vs. LOWV

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

USMV (iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF) and LOWV (AB US Low Volatility Equity ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. USMV is passively managed, while LOWV is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, USMV returned 11.79%/yr vs 15.49%/yr for LOWV. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. USMV charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.48%/yr for LOWV.

Performance

USMV vs. LOWV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (USMV) and AB US Low Volatility Equity ETF (LOWV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with USMV having a 2.65% return and LOWV slightly higher at 2.73%.

USMV

• 1D: -0.69%
• 1M: 2.01%
• YTD: 2.65%
• 6M: 2.61%
• 1Y: 4.37%
• 3Y*: 11.79%
• 5Y*: 7.45%
• 10Y*: 9.93%

LOWV

• 1D: -0.83%
• 1M: 0.85%
• YTD: 2.73%
• 6M: 2.69%
• 1Y: 10.86%
• 3Y*: 15.49%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

USMV vs. LOWV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
USMV iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF	2.65%	7.65%	15.74%	13.78%
LOWV AB US Low Volatility Equity ETF	2.73%	12.26%	20.43%	20.41%

Correlation

The correlation between USMV and LOWV is 0.66, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.66
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 23, 2023	0.76

The correlation between USMV and LOWV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.66 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

USMV vs. LOWV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	USMV	LOWV
Technology	30.8%	32.6%
Healthcare	12.5%	11.4%
Financial Services	12.4%	14.9%
Consumer Defensive	10.0%	5.5%
Utilities	7.5%	4.8%
Communication Services	5.9%	9.7%
Industrials	5.7%	7.4%
Consumer Cyclical	5.7%	9.4%
Energy	3.6%	2.4%
Basic Materials	2.2%	-
Real Estate	2.2%	1.8%

Return for Risk

USMV vs. LOWV — Risk / Return Rank

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

USMV

USMV Risk / Return Rank: 17
USMV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
USMV Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
USMV Omega Ratio Rank: 15
USMV Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
USMV Martin Ratio Rank: 19

LOWV

LOWV Risk / Return Rank: 28
LOWV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
LOWV Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
LOWV Omega Ratio Rank: 27
LOWV Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
LOWV Martin Ratio Rank: 31

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.

USMV vs. LOWV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (USMV) and AB US Low Volatility Equity ETF (LOWV). 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.

	USMV	LOWV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.52	1.04	-0.53
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.79	1.50	-0.71
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.09	1.18	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.68	1.14	-0.46
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.27	4.65	-2.38
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

USMV vs. LOWV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current USMV Sharpe Ratio is 0.52, which is lower than the LOWV Sharpe Ratio of 1.04. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of USMV and LOWV, 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

	USMV	LOWV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.52	1.04	-0.53
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.61	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.69	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.87	1.47	-0.60

Drawdowns

USMV vs. LOWV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum USMV drawdown since its inception was -33.10%, which is greater than LOWV's maximum drawdown of -13.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USMV and LOWV.

Drawdown Indicators

	USMV	LOWV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.10%	-13.87%	-19.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.46%	-9.59%	+3.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.36%	-13.87%	+4.51%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.93%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.10%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.18%	-0.95%	-0.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.88%	-1.50%	-1.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.93%	2.34%	-0.41%

Volatility

USMV vs. LOWV - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (USMV) has a higher volatility of 2.38% compared to AB US Low Volatility Equity ETF (LOWV) at 2.17%. This indicates that USMV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than LOWV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	USMV	LOWV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.38%	2.17%	+0.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.91%	7.89%	-1.98%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.50%	10.47%	-1.97%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.35%	11.95%	+0.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.51%	11.95%	+2.56%

USMV vs. LOWV - Expense Ratio Comparison

USMV has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than LOWV's 0.48% expense ratio.

Dividends

USMV vs. LOWV - Dividend Comparison

USMV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.53%, more than LOWV's 0.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LOWV AB US Low Volatility Equity ETF	0.91%	0.85%	0.92%	0.77%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
USMV iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF	1.53%	1.49%	1.67%	1.82%	1.62%	1.26%	1.81%	1.88%	2.12%	1.77%	2.22%	2.02%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both USMV and LOWV in my portfolio?

USMV and LOWV have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, USMV or LOWV?

USMV has higher volatility (2.38%) compared to LOWV (2.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, USMV dropped -33.10% vs LOWV's -13.87%.

Which ETF is better, USMV or LOWV?

On 3-year performance, LOWV leads with 15.49% vs 11.79% for USMV. On fees, USMV is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, LOWV has been the lower-risk option at 2.17%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, USMV or LOWV?

Over the 3-year period, LOWV has performed better with a 15.49% return vs 11.79%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, USMV or LOWV?

USMV is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.48% for LOWV.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, USMV or LOWV?

USMV has the higher dividend yield at 1.53%, compared with 0.91% for LOWV.

What is the main difference between USMV and LOWV?

They also come from different issuers: iShares and AllianceBernstein. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for USMV and 0.48% for LOWV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LOWV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.04 vs 0.52), 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.