USVM vs. DVOL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

USVM (VictoryShares US Small Mid Cap Value Momentum ETF) and DVOL (First Trust Dorsey Wright Momentum & Low Volatility ETF) are both Momentum funds - USVM tracks the Nasdaq Victory US Small Mid Cap Value Momentum Index while DVOL tracks the Dorsey Wright Momentum Plus Low Volatility Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, USVM returned 9.74%/yr vs 6.89%/yr for DVOL. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. USVM charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for DVOL.

Performance

USVM vs. DVOL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VictoryShares US Small Mid Cap Value Momentum ETF (USVM) and First Trust Dorsey Wright Momentum & Low Volatility ETF (DVOL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, USVM achieves a 15.26% return, which is significantly higher than DVOL's 1.20% return.

USVM

• 1D: -0.40%
• 1M: 2.60%
• YTD: 15.26%
• 6M: 15.00%
• 1Y: 30.42%
• 3Y*: 19.79%
• 5Y*: 9.74%
• 10Y*: —

DVOL

• 1D: 0.45%
• 1M: -4.01%
• YTD: 1.20%
• 6M: 2.04%
• 1Y: 0.20%
• 3Y*: 12.63%
• 5Y*: 6.89%
• 10Y*: —

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

USVM vs. DVOL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
USVM VictoryShares US Small Mid Cap Value Momentum ETF	15.26%	10.56%	16.59%	18.90%	-13.23%	24.44%	11.56%	21.65%	-18.55%
DVOL First Trust Dorsey Wright Momentum & Low Volatility ETF	1.20%	4.30%	24.84%	5.39%	-16.10%	30.08%	11.15%	26.10%	-9.89%

Correlation

The correlation between USVM and DVOL 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	0.70
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 10, 2018	0.65

The correlation between USVM and DVOL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.65 to 0.71 - a consistent structural relationship.

USVM vs. DVOL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	USVM	DVOL
Financial Services	22.0%	18.8%
Industrials	12.1%	16.6%
Real Estate	11.9%	12.1%
Technology	11.6%	4.7%
Consumer Cyclical	11.1%	9.4%
Healthcare	11.0%	3.7%
Utilities	6.4%	3.0%
Consumer Defensive	5.0%	8.2%
Energy	4.4%	14.0%
Communication Services	2.8%	3.6%
Basic Materials	1.8%	6.0%

Return for Risk

USVM vs. DVOL — Risk / Return Rank

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

USVM

USVM Risk / Return Rank: 65
USVM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
USVM Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
USVM Omega Ratio Rank: 57
USVM Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
USVM Martin Ratio Rank: 73

DVOL

DVOL Risk / Return Rank: 9
DVOL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
DVOL Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
DVOL Omega Ratio Rank: 9
DVOL Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
DVOL Martin Ratio Rank: 9

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.

USVM vs. DVOL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VictoryShares US Small Mid Cap Value Momentum ETF (USVM) and First Trust Dorsey Wright Momentum & Low Volatility ETF (DVOL). 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.

	USVM	DVOL	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.05	0.02	+2.03
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.98	0.11	+2.87
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.01	+0.35
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.66	0.04	+3.62
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	13.76	0.14	+13.63
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

USVM vs. DVOL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current USVM Sharpe Ratio is 2.05, which is higher than the DVOL Sharpe Ratio of 0.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of USVM and DVOL, 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

	USVM	DVOL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.05	0.02	+2.03
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50	0.48	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.49	0.50	-0.01

Drawdowns

USVM vs. DVOL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum USVM drawdown since its inception was -42.38%, which is greater than DVOL's maximum drawdown of -38.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USVM and DVOL.

Drawdown Indicators

	USVM	DVOL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.38%	-38.26%	-4.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.36%	-9.82%	+1.46%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.34%	-11.66%	-12.68%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.27%	-24.65%	-0.62%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.57%	-5.24%	+4.67%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.90%	-7.18%	-0.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.22%	2.91%	-0.69%

Volatility

USVM vs. DVOL - Volatility Comparison

VictoryShares US Small Mid Cap Value Momentum ETF (USVM) has a higher volatility of 4.50% compared to First Trust Dorsey Wright Momentum & Low Volatility ETF (DVOL) at 2.87%. This indicates that USVM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DVOL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	USVM	DVOL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.50%	2.87%	+1.63%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.73%	9.40%	+1.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.93%	11.78%	+3.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.65%	14.40%	+5.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.01%	17.73%	+4.28%

USVM vs. DVOL - Expense Ratio Comparison

USVM has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is lower than DVOL's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

USVM vs. DVOL - Dividend Comparison

USVM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.76%, more than DVOL's 0.69% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DVOL First Trust Dorsey Wright Momentum & Low Volatility ETF	0.69%	0.86%	0.67%	1.28%	1.37%	0.47%	0.60%	1.79%	0.39%	0.00%
USVM VictoryShares US Small Mid Cap Value Momentum ETF	1.76%	1.84%	1.75%	1.63%	1.43%	0.70%	1.21%	1.77%	1.43%	0.65%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both USVM and DVOL in my portfolio?

USVM and DVOL 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, USVM or DVOL?

USVM has higher volatility (4.50%) compared to DVOL (2.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, USVM dropped -42.38% vs DVOL's -38.26%.

Which ETF is better, USVM or DVOL?

On 5-year performance, USVM leads with 9.74% vs 6.89% for DVOL. On fees, USVM is cheaper at 0.29% per year. On volatility, DVOL has been the lower-risk option at 2.87%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, USVM or DVOL?

Over the 5-year period, USVM has performed better with a 9.74% return vs 6.89%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, USVM or DVOL?

USVM is cheaper with a 0.29% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for DVOL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, USVM or DVOL?

USVM has the higher dividend yield at 1.76%, compared with 0.69% for DVOL.

What is the main difference between USVM and DVOL?

USVM tracks Nasdaq Victory US Small Mid Cap Value Momentum Index, while DVOL tracks Dorsey Wright Momentum Plus Low Volatility Index. They also come from different issuers: Victory Capital and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.29% for USVM and 0.60% for DVOL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

USVM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.05 vs 0.02), 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.