LOWV vs SQEW
AB US Low Volatility Equity ETF vs LeaderShares Equity Skew ETF
Which is better, LOWV or SQEW?
Each has led over a different period.
LOWV has a lower expense ratio. LOWV led over the full window, SQEW over 1Y.
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 | SQEW |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.39%Best | 0.84% |
| AUM | $206M | $16M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.87% | 0.96% |
| Holdings | 71 | 159 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 9.0%Best | 14.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -13.9%Best | -24.2% |
| $10,000 over 2.6 years | $16,412Best | $12,827 |
| Fund Family | AllianceBernstein L.P. | LeaderShares |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Mid Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 22, 2023 | May 11, 2020 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 355 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 SQEW through Oct 24, 2025.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 22, 2023 to Oct 24, 2025 (2.6 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SQEW has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.7% compared with 9.0% 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 -24.2% for SQEW. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.83. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
LOWV charges 0.39% per year while SQEW charges 0.84%. On a $10,000 position that is $39 vs $84 annually, a gap of $45 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, LOWV currently yields 0.87% against 0.96% for SQEW.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of LOWV and SQEW 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 SQEW?
LOWV has an expense ratio of 0.39% while SQEW charges 0.84%. LOWV is the cheaper option, by $45 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, LOWV or SQEW?
SQEW has been the more volatile fund at 14.7% annualized versus 9.0% for LOWV. Worst drawdown: LOWV -13.9% vs SQEW -24.2%.
Should I hold both LOWV and SQEW?
LOWV and SQEW have a monthly-return correlation of 0.83, 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 SQEW?
LOWV yields 0.87% while SQEW yields 0.96%, so SQEW currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SQEW better than LOWV?
LOWV has a lower expense ratio. LOWV led over the full window, SQEW over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.