VLUE vs. FRDM
VLUE (iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF) and FRDM (Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VLUE is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Enhanced Value Index, while FRDM is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the Life + Liberty Freedom 100 Emerging Markets Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VLUE returned 16.01%/yr vs 18.68%/yr for FRDM. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VLUE charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for FRDM.
Performance
VLUE vs. FRDM - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VLUE achieves a 45.72% return, which is significantly higher than FRDM's 40.13% return.
VLUE
- 1D
- 0.40%
- 1M
- 7.72%
- YTD
- 45.72%
- 6M
- 46.53%
- 1Y
- 85.32%
- 3Y*
- 31.47%
- 5Y*
- 16.01%
- 10Y*
- 15.38%
FRDM
- 1D
- 0.49%
- 1M
- 4.97%
- YTD
- 40.13%
- 6M
- 46.37%
- 1Y
- 87.32%
- 3Y*
- 34.29%
- 5Y*
- 18.68%
- 10Y*
- —
VLUE vs. FRDM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VLUE iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF | 45.72% | 32.67% | 7.25% | 14.26% | -14.17% | 28.93% | -0.23% | 16.53% |
FRDM Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF | 40.13% | 61.27% | 1.70% | 22.77% | -14.45% | 6.13% | 16.90% | 12.23% |
Correlation
The correlation between VLUE and FRDM is 0.68, 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 | 0.68 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.62 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.66 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 23, 2019 | 0.65 |
The correlation between VLUE and FRDM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.62 to 0.68 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VLUE vs. FRDM — Risk / Return Rank
VLUE
FRDM
VLUE vs. FRDM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF (VLUE) and Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF (FRDM). 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.
| VLUE | FRDM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.40 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +2.07 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.77 | 1.54 | +0.23 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 9.25 | 5.02 | +4.23 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 39.16 | 19.36 | +19.80 |
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Drawdowns
VLUE vs. FRDM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VLUE drawdown since its inception was -39.47%, roughly equal to the maximum FRDM drawdown of -40.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VLUE and FRDM.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VLUE | FRDM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -39.47% | -40.49% | +1.02% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.04% | -16.87% | +7.83% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -17.89% | -16.87% | -1.02% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -27.12% | -29.25% | +2.13% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -39.47% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.61% | -4.36% | +1.75% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.01% | -7.09% | +1.08% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.13% | 4.37% | -2.24% |
Volatility
VLUE vs. FRDM - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF (VLUE) is 8.83%, while Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF (FRDM) has a volatility of 14.27%. This indicates that VLUE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FRDM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VLUE | FRDM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.83% | 14.27% | -5.44% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 15.31% | 24.39% | -9.08% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 18.38% | 26.86% | -8.48% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.00% | 21.35% | -3.35% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.91% | 23.09% | -3.18% |
VLUE vs. FRDM - Expense Ratio Comparison
VLUE has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than FRDM's 0.49% expense ratio.
Dividends
VLUE vs. FRDM - Dividend Comparison
VLUE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.43%, less than FRDM's 1.56% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FRDM Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF | 1.56% | 2.26% | 2.53% | 2.66% | 2.72% | 2.17% | 1.11% | 1.07% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VLUE iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF | 1.43% | 2.11% | 2.73% | 2.66% | 3.18% | 2.22% | 2.42% | 2.61% | 2.70% | 2.14% | 2.07% | 2.39% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VLUE and FRDM have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
FRDM has higher volatility (14.27%) compared to VLUE (8.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VLUE dropped -39.47% vs FRDM's -40.49%.
On 5-year performance, FRDM leads with 18.68% vs 16.01% for VLUE. On fees, VLUE is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, VLUE has been the lower-risk option at 8.83%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, FRDM has performed better with a 18.68% return vs 16.01%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VLUE is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for FRDM.
FRDM has the higher dividend yield at 1.56%, compared with 1.43% for VLUE.
VLUE is categorized as Large Cap Value Equities, while FRDM is Emerging Markets Diversified. VLUE tracks MSCI USA Enhanced Value Index, while FRDM tracks Life + Liberty Freedom 100 Emerging Markets Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Freedom Funds. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for VLUE and 0.49% for FRDM.
VLUE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.55 vs 3.15), 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.
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