VIOV vs. SVAL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VIOV (Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF) and SVAL (iShares US Small Cap Value Factor ETF) are both Small Cap Value Equities funds - VIOV tracks the S&P SmallCap 600 Value Index while SVAL tracks the Russell 2000 Focused Value Select Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VIOV returned 5.75%/yr vs 6.47%/yr for SVAL. With a 0.95 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VIOV charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for SVAL.

Performance

VIOV vs. SVAL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF (VIOV) and iShares US Small Cap Value Factor ETF (SVAL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with VIOV having a 15.28% return and SVAL slightly higher at 15.99%.

VIOV

• 1D: -1.28%
• 1M: 2.26%
• YTD: 15.28%
• 6M: 14.76%
• 1Y: 37.06%
• 3Y*: 14.29%
• 5Y*: 5.75%
• 10Y*: 10.23%

SVAL

• 1D: -1.51%
• 1M: 2.08%
• YTD: 15.99%
• 6M: 15.39%
• 1Y: 34.88%
• 3Y*: 17.30%
• 5Y*: 6.47%
• 10Y*: —

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

VIOV vs. SVAL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
VIOV Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF	15.28%	6.63%	7.44%	15.36%	-11.37%	30.67%	26.60%
SVAL iShares US Small Cap Value Factor ETF	15.99%	8.23%	7.54%	12.27%	-10.15%	33.18%	27.93%

Correlation

The correlation between VIOV and SVAL is 0.94, 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	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 30, 2020	0.95

The correlation between VIOV and SVAL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

VIOV vs. SVAL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VIOV	SVAL
Financial Services	19.8%	23.7%
Consumer Cyclical	15.4%	13.7%
Industrials	12.7%	15.8%
Technology	10.6%	10.7%
Energy	9.1%	7.7%
Real Estate	8.8%	2.7%
Healthcare	7.5%	10.3%
Basic Materials	6.3%	6.1%
Consumer Defensive	3.8%	4.1%
Communication Services	3.4%	1.8%
Utilities	1.9%	3.3%

Return for Risk

VIOV vs. SVAL — Risk / Return Rank

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

VIOV

VIOV Risk / Return Rank: 64
VIOV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
VIOV Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
VIOV Omega Ratio Rank: 55
VIOV Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
VIOV Martin Ratio Rank: 69

SVAL

SVAL Risk / Return Rank: 64
SVAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
SVAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
SVAL Omega Ratio Rank: 56
SVAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
SVAL Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

VIOV vs. SVAL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF (VIOV) and iShares US Small Cap Value Factor ETF (SVAL). 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.

	VIOV	SVAL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.03	1.97	+0.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.92	2.88	+0.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.35	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.99	3.92	+0.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.00	12.29	+0.71
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VIOV vs. SVAL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VIOV Sharpe Ratio is 2.03, which is comparable to the SVAL Sharpe Ratio of 1.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VIOV and SVAL, 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

	VIOV	SVAL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.03	1.97	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.26	0.29	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.43	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.70	-0.17

Drawdowns

VIOV vs. SVAL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VIOV drawdown since its inception was -47.36%, which is greater than SVAL's maximum drawdown of -27.44%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VIOV and SVAL.

Drawdown Indicators

	VIOV	SVAL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.36%	-27.44%	-19.92%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.33%	-8.94%	-0.39%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.44%	-27.44%	-1.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.44%	-27.44%	-1.00%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.36%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.28%	-1.51%	+0.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.38%	-8.51%	+1.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.86%	2.85%	+0.01%

Volatility

VIOV vs. SVAL - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF (VIOV) has a higher volatility of 4.54% compared to iShares US Small Cap Value Factor ETF (SVAL) at 4.31%. This indicates that VIOV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SVAL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VIOV	SVAL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.54%	4.31%	+0.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.57%	11.62%	-0.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.41%	17.87%	+0.54%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.95%	22.33%	-0.38%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.89%	23.27%	+0.62%

VIOV vs. SVAL - Expense Ratio Comparison

VIOV has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than SVAL's 0.20% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VIOV vs. SVAL - Dividend Comparison

VIOV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.59%, less than SVAL's 2.27% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SVAL iShares US Small Cap Value Factor ETF	2.27%	2.33%	1.82%	2.25%	2.09%	2.33%	0.28%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VIOV Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF	1.59%	1.69%	1.78%	2.18%	1.81%	1.59%	1.42%	1.60%	1.76%	1.43%	1.17%	1.32%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VIOV and SVAL in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, VIOV and SVAL move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, VIOV or SVAL?

VIOV has higher volatility (4.54%) compared to SVAL (4.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VIOV dropped -47.36% vs SVAL's -27.44%.

Which ETF is better, VIOV or SVAL?

On 5-year performance, SVAL leads with 6.47% vs 5.75% for VIOV. On fees, VIOV is cheaper at 0.10% per year. On volatility, SVAL has been the lower-risk option at 4.31%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VIOV or SVAL?

Over the 5-year period, SVAL has performed better with a 6.47% return vs 5.75%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VIOV or SVAL?

VIOV is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for SVAL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VIOV or SVAL?

SVAL has the higher dividend yield at 2.27%, compared with 1.59% for VIOV.

What is the main difference between VIOV and SVAL?

VIOV tracks S&P SmallCap 600 Value Index, while SVAL tracks Russell 2000 Focused Value Select Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.10% for VIOV and 0.20% for SVAL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VIOV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.03 vs 1.97), 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.