VLU vs. ABEQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VLU (SPDR S&P 1500 Value Tilt ETF) and ABEQ (Absolute Select Value ETF) are both Large Cap Value Equities funds. VLU is passively managed, while ABEQ is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, VLU returned 11.91%/yr vs 7.06%/yr for ABEQ. Their correlation of 0.80 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VLU charges 0.12%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for ABEQ.

Performance

VLU vs. ABEQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P 1500 Value Tilt ETF (VLU) and Absolute Select Value ETF (ABEQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VLU achieves a 12.99% return, which is significantly higher than ABEQ's 3.44% return.

VLU

• 1D: -0.49%
• 1M: 3.04%
• YTD: 12.99%
• 6M: 13.61%
• 1Y: 29.22%
• 3Y*: 20.61%
• 5Y*: 11.91%
• 10Y*: 13.99%

ABEQ

• 1D: -0.17%
• 1M: -0.34%
• YTD: 3.44%
• 6M: 3.43%
• 1Y: 8.87%
• 3Y*: 11.57%
• 5Y*: 7.06%
• 10Y*: —

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

VLU vs. ABEQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
VLU SPDR S&P 1500 Value Tilt ETF	12.99%	16.70%	17.24%	17.18%	-8.24%	30.95%	8.38%
ABEQ Absolute Select Value ETF	3.44%	15.32%	12.68%	4.63%	-1.00%	12.49%	2.51%

Correlation

The correlation between VLU and ABEQ 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	0.72
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 23, 2020	0.80

The correlation between VLU and ABEQ shifts across timeframes, from 0.66 (1 year) to 0.80 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VLU vs. ABEQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VLU	ABEQ
Financial Services	18.8%	24.8%
Technology	17.8%	4.4%
Healthcare	11.7%	7.2%
Consumer Cyclical	10.4%	-
Communication Services	8.8%	3.0%
Industrials	8.2%	8.3%
Consumer Defensive	7.4%	10.9%
Energy	7.2%	10.3%
Utilities	3.6%	1.4%
Real Estate	3.4%	-
Basic Materials	2.6%	17.0%

Return for Risk

VLU vs. ABEQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

VLU

VLU Risk / Return Rank: 83
VLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
VLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
VLU Omega Ratio Rank: 81
VLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
VLU Martin Ratio Rank: 86

ABEQ

ABEQ Risk / Return Rank: 25
ABEQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
ABEQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
ABEQ Omega Ratio Rank: 26
ABEQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
ABEQ Martin Ratio Rank: 22

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.

VLU vs. ABEQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P 1500 Value Tilt ETF (VLU) and Absolute Select Value ETF (ABEQ). 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.

	VLU	ABEQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.70	1.00	+1.70
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.78	1.46	+2.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.49	1.18	+0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.63	1.13	+3.50
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.56	2.78	+15.78
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VLU vs. ABEQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VLU Sharpe Ratio is 2.70, which is higher than the ABEQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VLU and ABEQ, 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

	VLU	ABEQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.70	1.00	+1.70
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78	0.66	+0.12
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.78	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.82	0.56	+0.26

Drawdowns

VLU vs. ABEQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VLU drawdown since its inception was -37.39%, which is greater than ABEQ's maximum drawdown of -27.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VLU and ABEQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	VLU	ABEQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.39%	-27.82%	-9.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.34%	-7.89%	+1.55%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.22%	-7.95%	-8.27%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.55%	-17.26%	-2.29%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.39%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.49%	-7.43%	+6.94%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.74%	-4.07%	+0.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.58%	3.20%	-1.62%

Volatility

VLU vs. ABEQ - Volatility Comparison

SPDR S&P 1500 Value Tilt ETF (VLU) has a higher volatility of 2.25% compared to Absolute Select Value ETF (ABEQ) at 1.98%. This indicates that VLU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ABEQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VLU	ABEQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.25%	1.98%	+0.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.70%	6.69%	+1.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.90%	8.91%	+1.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.40%	10.81%	+4.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.09%	13.84%	+4.25%

VLU vs. ABEQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

VLU has a 0.12% expense ratio, which is lower than ABEQ's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

VLU vs. ABEQ - Dividend Comparison

VLU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.62%, more than ABEQ's 1.21% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ABEQ Absolute Select Value ETF	1.21%	1.25%	1.48%	2.60%	1.20%	0.60%	0.60%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VLU SPDR S&P 1500 Value Tilt ETF	1.62%	1.82%	2.00%	2.02%	2.16%	1.86%	1.98%	2.19%	2.57%	1.96%	2.14%	6.37%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VLU and ABEQ in my portfolio?

VLU and ABEQ 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, VLU or ABEQ?

VLU has higher volatility (2.25%) compared to ABEQ (1.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VLU dropped -37.39% vs ABEQ's -27.82%.

Which ETF is better, VLU or ABEQ?

On 5-year performance, VLU leads with 11.91% vs 7.06% for ABEQ. On fees, VLU is cheaper at 0.12% per year. On volatility, ABEQ has been the lower-risk option at 1.98%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VLU or ABEQ?

Over the 5-year period, VLU has performed better with a 11.91% return vs 7.06%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VLU or ABEQ?

VLU is cheaper with a 0.12% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for ABEQ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VLU or ABEQ?

VLU has the higher dividend yield at 1.62%, compared with 1.21% for ABEQ.

What is the main difference between VLU and ABEQ?

They also come from different issuers: State Street and Absolute Investment Advisers LLC. Their fees differ too: 0.12% for VLU and 0.85% for ABEQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VLU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.70 vs 1.00), 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.