VIOO vs. HSMV

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

VIOO (Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 ETF) and HSMV (First Trust Horizon Managed Volatility Small/Mid ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. VIOO is passively managed, while HSMV is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, VIOO returned 7.42%/yr vs 4.96%/yr for HSMV. Their correlation of 0.88 means they have usually moved in the same direction. VIOO charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for HSMV.

Performance

VIOO vs. HSMV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 ETF (VIOO) and First Trust Horizon Managed Volatility Small/Mid ETF (HSMV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VIOO achieves a 21.54% return, which is significantly higher than HSMV's 10.55% return.

VIOO

• 1D: -0.01%
• 1M: -0.56%
• 6M: 15.04%
• YTD: 21.54%
• 1Y: 35.81%
• 3Y*: 13.37%
• 5Y*: 7.42%
• 10Y*: 10.87%
• ALL TIME*: 12.46%

HSMV

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 1.43%
• 6M: 7.25%
• YTD: 10.55%
• 1Y: 13.34%
• 3Y*: 9.06%
• 5Y*: 4.96%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 11.73%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
HSMV First Trust Horizon Managed Volatility Small/Mid ETF	$628.29K	$333.01K	$191.20K
VIOO Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 ETF	$8.61M	$8.65M	$9.93M

VIOO vs. HSMV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
VIOO Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 ETF	21.54%	6.04%	8.48%	16.16%	-16.26%	26.79%	68.47%
HSMV First Trust Horizon Managed Volatility Small/Mid ETF	10.55%	1.57%	13.17%	5.01%	-9.44%	23.72%	34.70%

Correlation

The correlation between VIOO and HSMV is 0.65, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.65
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 7, 2020	0.88

Over the past year, the correlation between VIOO and HSMV has dropped to 0.65 - well below their long-term average of 0.88, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

VIOO vs. HSMV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VIOO	HSMV
Financial Services	17.1%	17.5%
Industrials	15.6%	14.9%
Technology	15.6%	1.9%
Consumer Cyclical	13.2%	8.3%
Healthcare	12.2%	4.7%
Real Estate	7.6%	23.7%
Energy	4.9%	2.8%
Basic Materials	4.7%	5.8%
Consumer Defensive	4.2%	6.7%
Communication Services	3.2%	2.2%
Utilities	1.8%	11.5%

Return for Risk

VIOO vs. HSMV — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

VIOO

VIOO Risk / Return Rank: 86
VIOO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
VIOO Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
VIOO Omega Ratio Rank: 81
VIOO Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
VIOO Martin Ratio Rank: 88

HSMV

HSMV Risk / Return Rank: 48
HSMV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
HSMV Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
HSMV Omega Ratio Rank: 45
HSMV Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
HSMV Martin Ratio Rank: 44

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.

VIOO vs. HSMV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 ETF (VIOO) and First Trust Horizon Managed Volatility Small/Mid ETF (HSMV). 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.

	VIOO	HSMV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.95	1.21	+0.73
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.85	1.91	+0.94
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.21	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.85	1.66	+2.19
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.20	5.02	+8.18

VIOO vs. HSMV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VIOO Sharpe Ratio is 1.95, which is higher than the HSMV Sharpe Ratio of 1.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VIOO and HSMV, 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

VIOO vs. HSMV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VIOO drawdown since its inception was -44.15%, which is greater than HSMV's maximum drawdown of -19.16%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VIOO and HSMV.

Drawdown Indicators

	VIOO	HSMV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.15%	-19.16%	-24.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.77%	-7.83%	-0.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.93%	-15.45%	-12.48%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.93%	-19.16%	-8.77%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.15%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.95%	-1.74%	-0.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.27%	-5.50%	-1.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.56%	2.59%	-0.03%

Volatility

VIOO vs. HSMV - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 ETF (VIOO) is 3.46%, while First Trust Horizon Managed Volatility Small/Mid ETF (HSMV) has a volatility of 3.77%. This indicates that VIOO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than HSMV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VIOO	HSMV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.46%	3.77%	-0.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.66%	8.07%	+3.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.41%	10.73%	+6.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.25%	14.97%	+6.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.94%	15.97%	+6.97%

VIOO vs. HSMV - Expense Ratio Comparison

VIOO has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than HSMV's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

VIOO vs. HSMV - Dividend Comparison

VIOO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.12%, less than HSMV's 1.86% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HSMV First Trust Horizon Managed Volatility Small/Mid ETF	1.86%	2.01%	1.43%	1.43%	1.26%	0.76%	0.80%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VIOO Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 ETF	1.12%	1.36%	1.48%	1.47%	1.51%	1.16%	1.09%	1.37%	1.32%	1.11%	1.06%	1.26%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VIOO and HSMV in my portfolio?

VIOO and HSMV have a correlation of 0.65, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VIOO or HSMV?

HSMV has higher volatility (3.77%) compared to VIOO (3.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VIOO dropped -44.15% vs HSMV's -19.16%.

Which ETF is better, VIOO or HSMV?

On 5-year performance, VIOO leads with 7.42% vs 4.96% for HSMV. On fees, VIOO is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, VIOO has been the lower-risk option at 3.46%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VIOO or HSMV?

Over the 5-year period, VIOO has performed better with a 7.42% return vs 4.96%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VIOO or HSMV?

VIOO is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for HSMV.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VIOO or HSMV?

HSMV has the higher dividend yield at 1.86%, compared with 1.12% for VIOO.

What is the main difference between VIOO and HSMV?

They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for VIOO and 0.80% for HSMV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VIOO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.95 vs 1.21), 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.