XSLV vs. VFMV

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

XSLV (Invesco S&P SmallCap Low Volatility ETF) and VFMV (Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF) are both Low Volatility funds. XSLV is passively managed, while VFMV is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, XSLV returned 4.97%/yr vs 9.39%/yr for VFMV. Their 0.77 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. XSLV charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for VFMV.

Performance

XSLV vs. VFMV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco S&P SmallCap Low Volatility ETF (XSLV) and Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF (VFMV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XSLV achieves a 16.90% return, which is significantly higher than VFMV's 11.10% return.

XSLV

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 1.52%
• 6M: 12.18%
• YTD: 16.90%
• 1Y: 23.10%
• 3Y*: 10.59%
• 5Y*: 4.97%
• 10Y*: 6.00%
• ALL TIME*: 8.21%

VFMV

• 1D: 0.45%
• 1M: 2.10%
• 6M: 7.34%
• YTD: 11.10%
• 1Y: 16.07%
• 3Y*: 14.38%
• 5Y*: 9.39%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 10.08%

*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)
VFMV Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF	$1.77M	$2.11M	$2.29M
XSLV Invesco S&P SmallCap Low Volatility ETF	$818.81K	$536.56K	$433.11K

XSLV vs. VFMV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
XSLV Invesco S&P SmallCap Low Volatility ETF	16.90%	0.31%	9.81%	1.34%	-11.83%	29.34%	-17.40%	22.35%	-1.00%
VFMV Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF	11.10%	10.52%	16.91%	8.86%	-5.73%	20.75%	-0.19%	27.26%	-0.34%

Correlation

The correlation between XSLV and VFMV is 0.72, 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.	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.77
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 15, 2018	0.77

The correlation between XSLV and VFMV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.72 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.

XSLV vs. VFMV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XSLV	VFMV
Financial Services	43.9%	10.6%
Real Estate	27.4%	6.4%
Utilities	9.2%	6.7%
Industrials	7.2%	10.1%
Consumer Defensive	4.5%	9.5%
Basic Materials	2.7%	-
Healthcare	1.7%	10.1%
Consumer Cyclical	1.5%	6.9%
Communication Services	1.1%	10.7%
Energy	1.0%	3.9%
Technology	1.0%	25.1%

Return for Risk

XSLV vs. VFMV — Risk / Return Rank

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

XSLV

XSLV Risk / Return Rank: 75
XSLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
XSLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
XSLV Omega Ratio Rank: 69
XSLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
XSLV Martin Ratio Rank: 72

VFMV

VFMV Risk / Return Rank: 77
VFMV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
VFMV Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
VFMV Omega Ratio Rank: 75
VFMV Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
VFMV Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

XSLV vs. VFMV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco S&P SmallCap Low Volatility ETF (XSLV) and Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF (VFMV). 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.

	XSLV	VFMV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.67	1.76	-0.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.53	2.55	-0.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.31	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.00	2.61	+0.38
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.88	10.07	-1.19

XSLV vs. VFMV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XSLV Sharpe Ratio is 1.67, which is comparable to the VFMV Sharpe Ratio of 1.76. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XSLV and VFMV, 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

XSLV vs. VFMV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XSLV drawdown since its inception was -44.34%, which is greater than VFMV's maximum drawdown of -33.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XSLV and VFMV.

Drawdown Indicators

	XSLV	VFMV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.34%	-33.64%	-10.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.46%	-6.00%	-1.46%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.35%	-10.35%	-8.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.72%	-15.41%	-9.31%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.34%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.13%	-1.16%	+0.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.21%	-3.59%	-3.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.51%	1.56%	+0.95%

Volatility

XSLV vs. VFMV - Volatility Comparison

Invesco S&P SmallCap Low Volatility ETF (XSLV) has a higher volatility of 4.04% compared to Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF (VFMV) at 2.73%. This indicates that XSLV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VFMV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XSLV	VFMV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.04%	2.73%	+1.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.46%	6.57%	+2.89%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.39%	8.96%	+4.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.70%	11.76%	+4.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.93%	14.16%	+5.77%

XSLV vs. VFMV - Expense Ratio Comparison

XSLV has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than VFMV's 0.13% 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

XSLV vs. VFMV - Dividend Comparison

XSLV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.06%, more than VFMV's 1.74% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VFMV Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF	1.74%	2.12%	1.46%	2.20%	2.08%	1.31%	2.14%	2.43%	2.29%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XSLV Invesco S&P SmallCap Low Volatility ETF	2.06%	2.14%	2.55%	2.35%	2.78%	1.05%	2.49%	2.43%	2.75%	1.87%	1.96%	2.20%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XSLV and VFMV in my portfolio?

XSLV and VFMV have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XSLV or VFMV?

XSLV has higher volatility (4.04%) compared to VFMV (2.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XSLV dropped -44.34% vs VFMV's -33.64%.

Which ETF is better, XSLV or VFMV?

On 5-year performance, VFMV leads with 9.39% vs 4.97% for XSLV. On fees, VFMV is cheaper at 0.13% per year. On volatility, VFMV has been the lower-risk option at 2.73%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XSLV or VFMV?

Over the 5-year period, VFMV has performed better with a 9.39% return vs 4.97%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XSLV or VFMV?

VFMV is cheaper with a 0.13% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for XSLV.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XSLV or VFMV?

XSLV has the higher dividend yield at 2.06%, compared with 1.74% for VFMV.

What is the main difference between XSLV and VFMV?

They also come from different issuers: Invesco and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for XSLV and 0.13% for VFMV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFMV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.76 vs 1.67), 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.