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USMV vs. LVHI
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

USMV vs. LVHI

Last updated Aug 4, 2026
Documentation

USMV (iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF) and LVHI (Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - USMV is a Low Volatility fund tracking the MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Index, while LVHI is a Dividend fund tracking the Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Hedged Index-NR. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, USMV returned 9.69%/yr vs 11.79%/yr for LVHI. Their 0.54 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. USMV charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for LVHI.

Performance

USMV vs. LVHI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (USMV) and Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF (LVHI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, USMV achieves a 5.12% return, which is significantly lower than LVHI's 18.07% return. Over the past 10 years, USMV has underperformed LVHI with an annualized return of 9.69%, while LVHI has yielded a comparatively higher 11.79% annualized return.

USMV

1D
0.35%
1M
0.39%
6M
3.78%
YTD
5.12%
1Y
8.05%
3Y*
11.61%
5Y*
6.93%
10Y*
9.69%
ALL TIME*
11.67%

LVHI

1D
-0.19%
1M
3.87%
6M
12.27%
YTD
18.07%
1Y
35.95%
3Y*
22.77%
5Y*
16.64%
10Y*
11.79%
ALL TIME*
11.64%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

PositionAvg. Volume Value (2W)Avg. Volume Value (1M)Avg. Volume Value (3M)

LVHI

Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF
$35.67M$30.40M$26.81M

USMV

iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF
$238.33M$228.63M$219.79M

USMV vs. LVHI - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
USMV
iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF		5.12%7.65%15.74%10.33%-9.43%20.85%5.64%27.69%1.33%18.91%
LVHI
Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF		18.07%27.12%14.81%17.45%3.84%18.19%-8.76%18.35%-5.22%12.26%

Correlation

The correlation between USMV and LVHI is 0.39, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.

0.39

Correlation (3Y)
Balances recent behavior with more history.

0.53

Correlation (5Y)
Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.

0.59

Correlation (10Y)
Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.

0.54

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 28, 2016

0.54

The correlation between USMV and LVHI shifts across timeframes, from 0.39 (1 year) to 0.59 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

USMV vs. LVHI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
USMV
LVHI

Technology

33.0%
0.1%

Healthcare

13.4%
7.2%

Financial Services

11.8%
25.1%

Consumer Defensive

9.3%
10.4%

Utilities

7.2%
10.4%

Industrials

6.4%
13.3%

Consumer Cyclical

5.8%
5.0%

Communication Services

5.7%
6.1%

Energy

2.6%
14.0%

Real Estate

2.6%
2.2%

Basic Materials

2.2%
6.3%

Technology

USMV
33.0%
LVHI
0.1%

Healthcare

USMV
13.4%
LVHI
7.2%

Financial Services

USMV
11.8%
LVHI
25.1%

Consumer Defensive

USMV
9.3%
LVHI
10.4%

Utilities

USMV
7.2%
LVHI
10.4%

Industrials

USMV
6.4%
LVHI
13.3%

Consumer Cyclical

USMV
5.8%
LVHI
5.0%

Communication Services

USMV
5.7%
LVHI
6.1%

Energy

USMV
2.6%
LVHI
14.0%

Real Estate

USMV
2.6%
LVHI
2.2%

Basic Materials

USMV
2.2%
LVHI
6.3%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF

Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF

Often compared with USMV:
USMV vs. SPLVUSMV vs. SPYUSMV vs. VOOUSMV vs. QUALUSMV vs. VFMVUSMV vs. ACWVUSMV vs. VTI
Often compared with LVHI:
LVHI vs. SCHDLVHI vs. IDVLVHI vs. VYMILVHI vs. DIVILVHI vs. VOOLVHI vs. SPYLVHI vs. SCHY

Return for Risk

USMV vs. LVHI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.
USMV
USMV Risk / Return Rank: 3737
Overall Rank
USMV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3838
Sharpe Ratio Rank
USMV Sortino Ratio Rank: 3737
Sortino Ratio Rank
USMV Omega Ratio Rank: 3434
Omega Ratio Rank
USMV Calmar Ratio Rank: 3636
Calmar Ratio Rank
USMV Martin Ratio Rank: 3939
Martin Ratio Rank
LVHI
LVHI Risk / Return Rank: 9797
Overall Rank
LVHI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9898
Sharpe Ratio Rank
LVHI Sortino Ratio Rank: 9797
Sortino Ratio Rank
LVHI Omega Ratio Rank: 9797
Omega Ratio Rank
LVHI Calmar Ratio Rank: 9696
Calmar Ratio Rank
LVHI Martin Ratio Rank: 9696
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

USMV vs. LVHI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (USMV) and Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF (LVHI). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

USMVLVHIDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.95
3.87

-2.92

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.40
5.30

-3.90

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.17

1.75

-0.58

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.25

5.94

-4.69

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

4.09

24.81

-20.73

USMV vs. LVHI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current USMV Sharpe Ratio is 0.95, which is lower than the LVHI Sharpe Ratio of 3.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of USMV and LVHI, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

USMV vs. LVHI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum USMV drawdown since its inception was -33.10%, roughly equal to the maximum LVHI drawdown of -32.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USMV and LVHI.

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Drawdown Indicators

USMVLVHIDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-33.10%

-32.31%

-0.79%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-6.46%

-6.08%

-0.38%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-9.36%

-11.99%

+2.63%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-17.93%

-11.99%

-5.94%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-33.10%

-32.31%

-0.79%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.29%

-0.88%

+0.59%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-2.86%

-3.47%

+0.61%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

1.98%

1.45%

+0.53%

Volatility

USMV vs. LVHI - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (USMV) has a higher volatility of 2.63% compared to Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF (LVHI) at 2.09%. This indicates that USMV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than LVHI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

USMVLVHIDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

2.63%

2.09%

+0.54%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

6.44%

7.58%

-1.14%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

8.54%

9.35%

-0.81%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

12.38%

11.06%

+1.32%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

14.51%

13.70%

+0.81%

USMV vs. LVHI - Expense Ratio Comparison

USMV has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than LVHI's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

USMV vs. LVHI - Dividend Comparison

USMV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.47%, less than LVHI's 4.52% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
LVHI
Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF		4.52%4.92%3.98%8.12%7.74%4.13%3.97%6.67%10.67%3.38%2.02%0.00%
USMV
iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF		1.47%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

USMV and LVHI have a correlation of 0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

USMV has higher volatility (2.63%) compared to LVHI (2.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, USMV dropped -33.10% vs LVHI's -32.31%.

On 10-year performance, LVHI leads with 11.79% vs 9.69% for USMV. On fees, USMV is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, LVHI has been the lower-risk option at 2.09%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, LVHI has performed better with a 11.79% return vs 9.69%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

USMV is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for LVHI.

LVHI has the higher dividend yield at 4.52%, compared with 1.47% for USMV.

USMV is categorized as Low Volatility, while LVHI is Dividend. USMV tracks MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Index, while LVHI tracks Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Hedged Index-NR. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Franklin Templeton. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for USMV and 0.40% for LVHI.

LVHI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.87 vs 0.95), 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.

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