LOWV vs MDST
AB US Low Volatility Equity ETF vs Westwood Salient Enhanced Midstream Income ETF
Which is better, LOWV or MDST?
MDST has been ahead.
LOWV has a lower expense ratio. MDST led over 1Y and the full window. LOWV is less concentrated, with 42.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 63.7%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | LOWV | MDST |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.39%Best | 0.80% |
| AUM | $206M | $305M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.87% | 10.69% |
| Holdings | 71 | 110 |
| YTD Return | +8.98% | +15.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | +9.29% | +21.87%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.12% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 9.4%Best | 11.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -13.9%Best | -14.2% |
| $10,000 over 2.5 years | $13,619 | $14,630Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 42.0%Best | 63.7% |
| Fund Family | AllianceBernstein L.P. | Westwood Funds |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Mid Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 22, 2023 | Apr 8, 2024 |
Not shown on this pair: 5Y Return (annualized).
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 9, 2024 to Oct 14, 2026 (2.5 years).
LOWV vs MDST growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 2.5 years both funds cover.
LOWV vs MDST Performance
AB US Low Volatility Equity ETF (LOWV) is an ETF from AllianceBernstein L.P. and Westwood Salient Enhanced Midstream Income ETF (MDST) is an ETF from Westwood Funds. Over the past year LOWV returned +9.29% while MDST returned +21.87%. Year to date, LOWV is up 8.98% versus a gain of 15.57% for MDST.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MDST has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 11.9% compared with 9.4% for LOWV. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -13.9% for LOWV and -14.2% for MDST. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.39. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
LOWV charges 0.39% per year while MDST charges 0.80%. On a $10,000 position that is $39 vs $80 annually, a gap of $41 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, LOWV currently yields 0.87% against 10.69% for MDST.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 68 holdings in LOWV and 25 in MDST, totalling 99.4% and 97.4% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 68 positions we hold weights for in LOWV and 25 in MDST, against full books of 71 and 110.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 21 positions for MDST that do not appear in our book for LOWV (77.9% of the fund), and 61 for LOWV that do not appear in MDST (92.7%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of LOWV and MDST you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, LOWV or MDST?
LOWV has an expense ratio of 0.39% while MDST charges 0.80%. LOWV is the cheaper option, by $41 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, LOWV or MDST?
Over the past year LOWV returned +9.29% vs +21.87% for MDST, so MDST leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, LOWV or MDST?
MDST has been the more volatile fund at 11.9% annualized versus 9.4% for LOWV. Worst drawdown: LOWV -13.9% vs MDST -14.2%.
Should I hold both LOWV and MDST?
LOWV and MDST have a monthly-return correlation of 0.39, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, LOWV or MDST?
LOWV yields 0.87% while MDST yields 10.69%, so MDST currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is MDST better than LOWV?
LOWV has a lower expense ratio. MDST led over 1Y and the full window. LOWV is less concentrated, with 42.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 63.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.