LOWV vs SAEF
AB US Low Volatility Equity ETF vs Schwab Ariel Opportunities ETF
Which is better, LOWV or SAEF?
Each has led over a different period.
LOWV has a lower expense ratio. LOWV led over the full window, SAEF over 1Y. SAEF is less concentrated, with 34.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 42.0%.
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 | SAEF |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.39%Best | 0.59% |
| AUM | $206M | $19M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.87% | 0.33% |
| Holdings | 71 | 59 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 9.8%Best | 24.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -13.9%Best | -27.4% |
| $10,000 over 3.3 years | $16,869Best | $12,124 |
| Top 10 Weight | 42.0% | 34.6%Best |
| Fund Family | AllianceBernstein L.P. | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Mid Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 22, 2023 | Nov 15, 2021 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 89 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. LOWV has data through Oct 14, 2026 and SAEF through Jul 17, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 22, 2023 to Jul 17, 2026 (3.3 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SAEF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 24.3% compared with 9.8% 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 -27.4% for SAEF. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.48. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
LOWV charges 0.39% per year while SAEF charges 0.59%. On a $10,000 position that is $39 vs $59 annually, a gap of $20 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, LOWV currently yields 0.87% against 0.33% for SAEF.
Holdings Overlap
2.7% of LOWV's money is in holdings SAEF also owns. 3.2% of SAEF's money is in holdings LOWV also owns.
SAEF and LOWV share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 185 days apart, LOWV as of Oct 2, 2026 and SAEF as of Mar 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
2 positions in common, counted across the 68 positions we hold weights for in LOWV and 58 in SAEF, against full books of 71 and 59.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 53 positions for SAEF that do not appear in our book for LOWV (90.8% of the fund), and 59 for LOWV that do not appear in SAEF (90.0%).
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 SAEF 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 SAEF?
LOWV has an expense ratio of 0.39% while SAEF charges 0.59%. LOWV is the cheaper option, by $20 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, LOWV or SAEF?
SAEF has been the more volatile fund at 24.3% annualized versus 9.8% for LOWV. Worst drawdown: LOWV -13.9% vs SAEF -27.4%.
Should I hold both LOWV and SAEF?
LOWV and SAEF have a monthly-return correlation of 0.48, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between LOWV and SAEF?
3.2% of SAEF's money is in holdings LOWV also owns. 3.2% of SAEF's is in holdings LOWV also owns. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 68 positions we hold weights for in LOWV and 58 in SAEF.
Which pays a higher dividend, LOWV or SAEF?
LOWV yields 0.87% while SAEF yields 0.33%, so LOWV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SAEF better than LOWV?
LOWV has a lower expense ratio. LOWV led over the full window, SAEF over 1Y. SAEF is less concentrated, with 34.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 42.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.