VFMV vs. FDLO

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VFMV (Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF) and FDLO (Fidelity Low Volatility Factor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VFMV is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Vanguard, while FDLO is a Volatility Hedged Equity fund tracking the Fidelity U.S. Low Volatility Factor Index. VFMV is actively managed, while FDLO is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VFMV returned 9.87%/yr vs 10.20%/yr for FDLO. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VFMV charges 0.13%/yr vs 0.29%/yr for FDLO.

Performance

VFMV vs. FDLO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF (VFMV) and Fidelity Low Volatility Factor ETF (FDLO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VFMV achieves a 8.76% return, which is significantly higher than FDLO's 5.38% return.

VFMV

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: 0.96%
• YTD: 8.76%
• 6M: 8.41%
• 1Y: 13.49%
• 3Y*: 15.06%
• 5Y*: 9.87%
• 10Y*: —

FDLO

• 1D: 0.36%
• 1M: 1.29%
• YTD: 5.38%
• 6M: 4.87%
• 1Y: 15.69%
• 3Y*: 14.49%
• 5Y*: 10.20%
• 10Y*: —

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

VFMV vs. FDLO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
VFMV Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF	8.76%	10.52%	16.91%	8.86%	-5.73%	20.75%	-0.19%	27.26%	-1.10%
FDLO Fidelity Low Volatility Factor ETF	5.38%	11.77%	16.06%	16.38%	-10.38%	24.00%	12.19%	31.10%	-0.97%

Correlation

The correlation between VFMV and FDLO is 0.83, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 16, 2018	0.89

The correlation between VFMV and FDLO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

VFMV vs. FDLO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VFMV	FDLO
Technology	25.1%	33.1%
Communication Services	10.7%	10.8%
Financial Services	10.6%	12.5%
Industrials	10.1%	9.1%
Healthcare	10.1%	9.5%
Consumer Defensive	9.5%	4.7%
Consumer Cyclical	6.9%	10.2%
Utilities	6.7%	2.3%
Real Estate	6.4%	2.3%
Energy	3.9%	3.4%
Basic Materials	-	1.7%

Return for Risk

VFMV vs. FDLO — Risk / Return Rank

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

VFMV

VFMV Risk / Return Rank: 47
VFMV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
VFMV Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
VFMV Omega Ratio Rank: 43
VFMV Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
VFMV Martin Ratio Rank: 53

FDLO

FDLO Risk / Return Rank: 52
FDLO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
FDLO Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
FDLO Omega Ratio Rank: 53
FDLO Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
FDLO Martin Ratio Rank: 56

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.

VFMV vs. FDLO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF (VFMV) and Fidelity Low Volatility Factor ETF (FDLO). 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.

	VFMV	FDLO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.54	1.80	-0.26
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.24	2.56	-0.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.32	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.26	2.21	+0.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.85	9.62	-0.77
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VFMV vs. FDLO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFMV Sharpe Ratio is 1.54, which is comparable to the FDLO Sharpe Ratio of 1.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFMV and FDLO, 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

	VFMV	FDLO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.54	1.80	-0.26
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84	0.78	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.70	0.83	-0.13

Drawdowns

VFMV vs. FDLO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFMV drawdown since its inception was -33.64%, roughly equal to the maximum FDLO drawdown of -34.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFMV and FDLO.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFMV	FDLO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.64%	-34.35%	+0.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.00%	-7.13%	+1.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.35%	-13.68%	+3.33%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.41%	-19.23%	+3.82%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.81%	-0.55%	-0.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.64%	-3.38%	-0.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.53%	1.63%	-0.10%

Volatility

VFMV vs. FDLO - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF (VFMV) has a higher volatility of 2.04% compared to Fidelity Low Volatility Factor ETF (FDLO) at 1.91%. This indicates that VFMV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FDLO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VFMV	FDLO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.04%	1.91%	+0.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.30%	6.42%	-0.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.80%	8.75%	+0.05%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.75%	13.06%	-1.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.25%	15.50%	-1.25%

VFMV vs. FDLO - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFMV has a 0.13% expense ratio, which is lower than FDLO's 0.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

VFMV vs. FDLO - Dividend Comparison

VFMV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.93%, more than FDLO's 1.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
FDLO Fidelity Low Volatility Factor ETF	1.36%	1.37%	1.40%	1.35%	1.49%	1.11%	1.38%	1.55%	1.76%	1.61%	0.55%
VFMV Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF	1.93%	2.12%	1.46%	2.20%	2.08%	1.31%	2.14%	2.43%	2.29%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VFMV and FDLO in my portfolio?

VFMV and FDLO have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VFMV or FDLO?

VFMV has higher volatility (2.04%) compared to FDLO (1.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFMV dropped -33.64% vs FDLO's -34.35%.

Which ETF is better, VFMV or FDLO?

On 5-year performance, FDLO leads with 10.20% vs 9.87% for VFMV. On fees, VFMV is cheaper at 0.13% per year. On volatility, FDLO has been the lower-risk option at 1.91%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VFMV or FDLO?

Over the 5-year period, FDLO has performed better with a 10.20% return vs 9.87%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VFMV or FDLO?

VFMV is cheaper with a 0.13% expense ratio, compared with 0.29% for FDLO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VFMV or FDLO?

VFMV has the higher dividend yield at 1.93%, compared with 1.36% for FDLO.

What is the main difference between VFMV and FDLO?

VFMV is categorized as Mid Cap Blend Equities, while FDLO is Volatility Hedged Equity. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Fidelity. Their fees differ too: 0.13% for VFMV and 0.29% for FDLO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FDLO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.80 vs 1.54), 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.