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VUS vs. USMV
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VUS vs. USMV

Last updated Jul 17, 2026
Documentation

VUS (Virtus U.S. Dividend ETF) and USMV (iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. VUS is actively managed, while USMV is passively managed. At a 0.32 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VUS charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for USMV.

Performance

VUS vs. USMV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus U.S. Dividend ETF (VUS) and iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (USMV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VUS achieves a 19.82% return, which is significantly higher than USMV's 3.90% return.

VUS

1D
-0.25%
1M
0.55%
6M
14.49%
YTD
19.82%
1Y
—
3Y*
—
5Y*
—
10Y*
—

USMV

1D
1.08%
1M
1.27%
6M
3.44%
YTD
3.90%
1Y
6.27%
3Y*
11.14%
5Y*
6.96%
10Y*
9.51%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VUS vs. USMV - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)2025
VUS
Virtus U.S. Dividend ETF		19.82%0.88%
USMV
iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF		3.90%0.28%

Correlation

The correlation between VUS and USMV is 0.32, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 3, 2025

0.32

VUS vs. USMV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
VUS
USMV

Technology

36.7%
33.9%

Real Estate

11.4%
2.5%

Industrials

11.3%
6.1%

Financial Services

8.8%
11.7%

Healthcare

8.3%
12.6%

Communication Services

5.9%
6.2%

Energy

5.8%
2.7%

Consumer Cyclical

4.2%
5.7%

Basic Materials

2.6%
2.4%

Consumer Defensive

2.5%
9.4%

Utilities

1.3%
6.9%

Technology

VUS
36.7%
USMV
33.9%

Real Estate

VUS
11.4%
USMV
2.5%

Industrials

VUS
11.3%
USMV
6.1%

Financial Services

VUS
8.8%
USMV
11.7%

Healthcare

VUS
8.3%
USMV
12.6%

Communication Services

VUS
5.9%
USMV
6.2%

Energy

VUS
5.8%
USMV
2.7%

Consumer Cyclical

VUS
4.2%
USMV
5.7%

Basic Materials

VUS
2.6%
USMV
2.4%

Consumer Defensive

VUS
2.5%
USMV
9.4%

Utilities

VUS
1.3%
USMV
6.9%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Virtus U.S. Dividend ETF

iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF

Often compared with VUS:
VUS vs. VDIVUS vs. VTIVUS vs. GXLCVUS vs. SDCPVUS vs. ASMFVUS vs. VSHYVUS vs. SEIX
Often compared with USMV:
USMV vs. SPLVUSMV vs. SPYUSMV vs. VOOUSMV vs. QUALUSMV vs. VFMVUSMV vs. ACWVUSMV vs. VTI

Return for Risk

VUS vs. USMV — Risk / Return Rank

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

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

USMV
USMV Risk / Return Rank: 2525
Overall Rank
USMV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2525
Sharpe Ratio Rank
USMV Sortino Ratio Rank: 2323
Sortino Ratio Rank
USMV Omega Ratio Rank: 2222
Omega Ratio Rank
USMV Calmar Ratio Rank: 2525
Calmar Ratio Rank
USMV Martin Ratio Rank: 2929
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

VUS vs. USMV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus U.S. Dividend ETF (VUS) and iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (USMV). 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.

VUSUSMVDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility

—

0.74

—

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk

—

1.10

—

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

—

1.13

—

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

—

0.98

—

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

—

3.18

—

VUS vs. USMV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

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Drawdowns

VUS vs. USMV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VUS drawdown since its inception was -9.45%, smaller than the maximum USMV drawdown of -33.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VUS and USMV.

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Drawdown Indicators

VUSUSMVDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-9.45%

-33.10%

+23.65%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

—

-6.46%

—

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

—

-9.36%

—

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

—

-17.93%

—

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-33.10%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.68%

-1.24%

+0.56%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-1.51%

-2.87%

+1.36%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

—

1.98%

—

Volatility

VUS vs. USMV - Volatility Comparison

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Volatility by Period

VUSUSMVDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

—

3.00%

—

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

—

6.41%

—

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

14.77%

8.53%

+6.24%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

14.77%

12.38%

+2.39%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

14.77%

14.50%

+0.27%

VUS vs. USMV - Expense Ratio Comparison

VUS has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than USMV's 0.15% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VUS vs. USMV - Dividend Comparison

VUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.29%, less than USMV's 1.49% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
USMV
iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF		1.49%1.49%1.67%1.82%1.62%1.26%1.81%1.88%2.12%1.77%2.22%2.02%
VUS
Virtus U.S. Dividend ETF		1.29%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

VUS and USMV have a correlation of 0.32, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

On fees, USMV is cheaper at 0.15% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

USMV is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for VUS.

USMV has the higher dividend yield at 1.49%, compared with 1.29% for VUS.

They also come from different issuers: Virtus and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for VUS and 0.15% for USMV.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for VUS and USMV

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