JPMorgan Active Value ETF (JAVA) is a ETF from J.P. Morgan Asset Management and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is a ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year JAVA returned +30.11% while VOO returned +23.71%. Year to date, JAVA is up 15.64% versus a gain of 13.80% for VOO.

Over three years, JAVA compounded at +17.30% per year against +21.50% for VOO. Across the full 5-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +13.58% annualized vs +12.79%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

JAVA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.5% compared with 14.1% for VOO. 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 -16.5% for JAVA and -34.3% for VOO. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.

The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.

JAVA charges 0.44% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $44 vs $3 annually, a gap of $41 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, JAVA currently yields 1.32% against 1.09% for VOO.