XSLV vs. XMLV

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

XSLV (Invesco S&P SmallCap Low Volatility ETF) and XMLV (Invesco S&P MidCap Low Volatility ETF) are both Low Volatility funds from Invesco - XSLV tracks the S&P SmallCap 600 Low Volatility Index while XMLV tracks the S&P MidCap 400 Low Volatility Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XSLV returned 6.00%/yr vs 8.01%/yr for XMLV. Their correlation of 0.87 means they have usually moved in the same direction. Both charge a 0.25% expense ratio.

Performance

XSLV vs. XMLV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco S&P SmallCap Low Volatility ETF (XSLV) and Invesco S&P MidCap Low Volatility ETF (XMLV). 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 XMLV's 11.48% return. Over the past 10 years, XSLV has underperformed XMLV with an annualized return of 6.00%, while XMLV has yielded a comparatively higher 8.01% annualized 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%

XMLV

• 1D: -0.40%
• 1M: 1.77%
• 6M: 8.77%
• YTD: 11.48%
• 1Y: 15.65%
• 3Y*: 11.57%
• 5Y*: 7.14%
• 10Y*: 8.01%
• ALL TIME*: 9.98%

*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)
XMLV Invesco S&P MidCap Low Volatility ETF	$1.62M	$1.47M	$1.28M
XSLV Invesco S&P SmallCap Low Volatility ETF	$818.81K	$536.56K	$433.11K

XSLV vs. XMLV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XSLV Invesco S&P SmallCap Low Volatility ETF	16.90%	0.31%	9.81%	1.34%	-11.83%	29.34%	-17.40%	22.35%	-5.41%	8.57%
XMLV Invesco S&P MidCap Low Volatility ETF	11.48%	5.55%	17.08%	1.86%	-6.55%	23.00%	-8.42%	23.77%	-0.16%	13.72%

Correlation

The correlation between XSLV and XMLV is 0.88, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 15, 2013	0.87

The correlation between XSLV and XMLV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

XSLV vs. XMLV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XSLV	XMLV
Financial Services	43.9%	26.0%
Real Estate	27.4%	32.8%
Utilities	9.2%	17.8%
Industrials	7.2%	10.0%
Consumer Defensive	4.5%	2.2%
Basic Materials	2.7%	1.0%
Healthcare	1.7%	2.0%
Consumer Cyclical	1.5%	4.4%
Communication Services	1.1%	1.0%
Energy	1.0%	3.7%
Technology	1.0%	1.0%

Return for Risk

XSLV vs. XMLV — 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

XMLV

XMLV Risk / Return Rank: 61
XMLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
XMLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
XMLV Omega Ratio Rank: 55
XMLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
XMLV Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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. XMLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco S&P SmallCap Low Volatility ETF (XSLV) and Invesco S&P MidCap Low Volatility ETF (XMLV). 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	XMLV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.67	1.43	+0.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.53	2.13	+0.41
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.24	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.00	2.19	+0.81
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.88	7.26	+1.62

XSLV vs. XMLV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XSLV Sharpe Ratio is 1.67, which is comparable to the XMLV Sharpe Ratio of 1.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XSLV and XMLV, 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. XMLV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XSLV drawdown since its inception was -44.34%, which is greater than XMLV's maximum drawdown of -39.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XSLV and XMLV.

Drawdown Indicators

	XSLV	XMLV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.34%	-39.86%	-4.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.46%	-7.03%	-0.43%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.35%	-13.80%	-4.55%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.72%	-16.53%	-8.19%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.34%	-39.86%	-4.48%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.13%	-2.14%	+1.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.21%	-4.22%	-2.99%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.51%	2.12%	+0.39%

Volatility

XSLV vs. XMLV - Volatility Comparison

Invesco S&P SmallCap Low Volatility ETF (XSLV) and Invesco S&P MidCap Low Volatility ETF (XMLV) have volatilities of 4.04% and 3.85%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XSLV	XMLV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.04%	3.85%	+0.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.46%	8.30%	+1.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.39%	10.82%	+2.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.70%	14.50%	+2.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.93%	16.97%	+2.96%

XSLV vs. XMLV - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both XSLV and XMLV have an expense ratio of 0.25%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

XSLV vs. XMLV - Dividend Comparison

XSLV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.06%, less than XMLV's 2.85% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
XMLV Invesco S&P MidCap Low Volatility ETF	2.85%	2.87%	2.23%	2.34%	2.05%	1.14%	1.93%	2.02%	2.13%	1.74%	1.72%	1.85%
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 XMLV in my portfolio?

XSLV and XMLV have a correlation of 0.88, 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 XMLV?

XSLV has higher volatility (4.04%) compared to XMLV (3.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XSLV dropped -44.34% vs XMLV's -39.86%.

Which ETF is better, XSLV or XMLV?

On 10-year performance, XMLV leads with 8.01% vs 6.00% for XSLV. Both ETFs have the same 0.25% expense ratio. On volatility, XMLV has been the lower-risk option at 3.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XSLV or XMLV?

Over the 10-year period, XMLV has performed better with a 8.01% return vs 6.00%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XSLV or XMLV?

XSLV and XMLV have the same expense ratio: 0.25% per year.

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

XMLV has the higher dividend yield at 2.85%, compared with 2.06% for XSLV.

What is the main difference between XSLV and XMLV?

XSLV tracks S&P SmallCap 600 Low Volatility Index, while XMLV tracks S&P MidCap 400 Low Volatility Index.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XSLV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.67 vs 1.43), 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.