USMV vs. MSFT
USMV (iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF) is Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Index, while MSFT (Microsoft Corporation) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, USMV returned 9.75%/yr vs 24.64%/yr for MSFT. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.
Performance
USMV vs. MSFT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, USMV achieves a 1.55% return, which is significantly higher than MSFT's -14.48% return. Over the past 10 years, USMV has underperformed MSFT with an annualized return of 9.75%, while MSFT has yielded a comparatively higher 24.64% annualized return.
USMV
- 1D
- -0.43%
- 1M
- 1.28%
- YTD
- 1.55%
- 6M
- 2.27%
- 1Y
- 3.18%
- 3Y*
- 11.35%
- 5Y*
- 7.21%
- 10Y*
- 9.75%
MSFT
- 1D
- -1.18%
- 1M
- -0.60%
- YTD
- -14.48%
- 6M
- -15.77%
- 1Y
- -11.77%
- 3Y*
- 8.85%
- 5Y*
- 11.09%
- 10Y*
- 24.64%
USMV vs. MSFT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
USMV iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF | 1.55% | 7.65% | 15.74% | 10.33% | -9.43% | 20.85% | 5.64% | 27.69% | 1.33% | 18.91% |
MSFT Microsoft Corporation | -14.48% | 15.58% | 12.93% | 58.19% | -28.02% | 52.48% | 42.53% | 57.56% | 20.80% | 40.73% |
Correlation
The correlation between USMV and MSFT is 0.28, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.29 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.35 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.52 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.58 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 20, 2011 | 0.58 |
Over the past year, the correlation between USMV and MSFT has dropped to 0.28 - well below their long-term average of 0.58, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
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Return for Risk
USMV vs. MSFT — Risk / Return Rank
USMV
MSFT
USMV vs. MSFT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (USMV) and Microsoft Corporation (MSFT). 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 | MSFT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.84 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.07 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.07 | 0.94 | +0.13 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.49 | -0.35 | +0.84 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 1.64 | -0.73 | +2.37 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| USMV | MSFT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.37 | -0.47 | +0.84 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.59 | 0.42 | +0.17 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.67 | 0.91 | -0.24 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.86 | 0.74 | +0.12 |
Drawdowns
USMV vs. MSFT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum USMV drawdown since its inception was -33.10%, smaller than the maximum MSFT drawdown of -69.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USMV and MSFT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| USMV | MSFT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -33.10% | -69.38% | +36.28% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -6.46% | -33.91% | +27.45% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -9.36% | -33.91% | +24.55% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -17.93% | -37.15% | +19.22% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -33.10% | -37.15% | +4.05% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.24% | -23.56% | +21.32% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.88% | -21.78% | +18.90% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.94% | 16.13% | -14.19% |
Volatility
USMV vs. MSFT - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (USMV) is 2.65%, while Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) has a volatility of 10.25%. This indicates that USMV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MSFT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| USMV | MSFT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.65% | 10.25% | -7.60% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 6.02% | 22.36% | -16.34% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 8.57% | 25.31% | -16.74% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 12.36% | 26.64% | -14.28% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 14.51% | 27.06% | -12.55% |
Dividends
USMV vs. MSFT - Dividend Comparison
USMV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.54%, more than MSFT's 0.86% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MSFT Microsoft Corporation | 0.86% | 0.70% | 0.73% | 0.74% | 1.06% | 0.68% | 0.94% | 1.20% | 1.69% | 1.86% | 2.37% | 2.33% |
USMV iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF | 1.54% | 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 MSFT have a correlation of 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
MSFT has higher volatility (10.25%) compared to USMV (2.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, USMV dropped -33.10% vs MSFT's -69.38%.
USMV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.37 vs -0.47), 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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