USMV vs. SPXM

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

USMV (iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF) and SPXM (Azoria 500 Meritocracy ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. USMV is passively managed, while SPXM is actively managed. Over the past year, USMV returned 7.10% vs 8.67% for SPXM. At a 0.29 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. USMV charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.47%/yr for SPXM.

Performance

USMV vs. SPXM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (USMV) and Azoria 500 Meritocracy ETF (SPXM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

USMV

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 2.16%
• 6M: 3.87%
• YTD: 4.64%
• 1Y: 7.10%
• 3Y*: 11.43%
• 5Y*: 7.16%
• 10Y*: 9.58%

SPXM

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• 6M: 0.00%
• YTD: 0.00%
• 1Y: 8.67%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

USMV vs. SPXM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
USMV iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF	4.64%	1.15%
SPXM Azoria 500 Meritocracy ETF	0.00%	9.27%

Correlation

The correlation between USMV and SPXM is 0.29, 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 8, 2025	0.29

Return for Risk

USMV vs. SPXM — Risk / Return Rank

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

USMV

USMV Risk / Return Rank: 28
USMV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
USMV Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
USMV Omega Ratio Rank: 25
USMV Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
USMV Martin Ratio Rank: 31

SPXM

SPXM Risk / Return Rank: 60
SPXM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
SPXM Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
SPXM Omega Ratio Rank: 81
SPXM Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
SPXM Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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. SPXM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (USMV) and Azoria 500 Meritocracy ETF (SPXM). 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.

	USMV	SPXM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.84	1.39	-0.55
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.23	1.97	-0.73
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.38	-0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.10	2.10	-0.99
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.61	9.84	-6.23

USMV vs. SPXM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current USMV Sharpe Ratio is 0.84, which is lower than the SPXM Sharpe Ratio of 1.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of USMV and SPXM, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

USMV vs. SPXM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum USMV drawdown since its inception was -33.10%, which is greater than SPXM's maximum drawdown of -5.08%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USMV and SPXM.

Drawdown Indicators

	USMV	SPXM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.10%	-5.08%	-28.02%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.46%	-5.08%	-1.38%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.36%	—	—
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	-0.54%	-0.75%	+0.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.87%	-0.78%	-2.09%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.97%	—	—

Volatility

USMV vs. SPXM - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (USMV) has a higher volatility of 2.54% compared to Azoria 500 Meritocracy ETF (SPXM) at 0.00%. This indicates that USMV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPXM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	USMV	SPXM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.54%	0.00%	+2.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.22%	3.99%	+2.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.48%	7.68%	+0.80%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.36%	7.64%	+4.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.49%	7.64%	+6.85%

USMV vs. SPXM - Expense Ratio Comparison

USMV has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than SPXM's 0.47% expense ratio.

Dividends

USMV vs. SPXM - Dividend Comparison

USMV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.48%, more than SPXM's 0.24% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPXM Azoria 500 Meritocracy ETF	0.24%	0.24%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
USMV iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF	1.48%	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 SPXM in my portfolio?

USMV and SPXM have a correlation of 0.29, 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 SPXM?

USMV has higher volatility (2.54%) compared to SPXM (0.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, USMV dropped -33.10% vs SPXM's -5.08%.

Which ETF is better, USMV or SPXM?

On 1-year performance, SPXM leads with 8.67% vs 7.10% for USMV. On fees, USMV is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, SPXM has been the lower-risk option at 0.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, USMV or SPXM?

Over the 1-year period, SPXM has performed better with a 8.67% return vs 7.10%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, USMV or SPXM?

USMV is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.47% for SPXM.

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

USMV has the higher dividend yield at 1.48%, compared with 0.24% for SPXM.

What is the main difference between USMV and SPXM?

They also come from different issuers: iShares and Azoria. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for USMV and 0.47% for SPXM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPXM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.39 vs 0.84), 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.