
Top 10 Value ETFs to Buy
in 2026
Risk level: 🟡 Moderate — These ETFs focus on diversified, undervalued equities with potential for long-term returns and generally lower volatility than growth strategies, though they can underperform during prolonged growth rallies.
At a Glance
- Data source: issuer pages verified against third-party databases (AUM, fees, index methodology)
- Ranking method: AUM-first, then expense ratio and liquidity, with style purity checks for true “value” exposure
- Risk lens: Core anchors for stability, Balanced for factor/active enhancements, High-Risk for size or international diversification
Find Reliable, Cost-Effective Exposure to Undervalued Companies. For a full overview of all thematic strategies we track, visit our Top 10 Rankings hub.
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Why Value ETFs Belong in Every Investor’s Portfolio
Value investing has stood the test of time. By focusing on companies trading below their intrinsic worth, value ETFs aim to capture long-term upside while limiting downside risk. These funds bundle dozens or even hundreds of undervalued stocks, helping investors benefit from market inefficiencies without picking individual names. Investors tend to chase last year’s winners, which leaves value under-owned after long growth runs. Value ETFs can help rebalance that bias by focusing on companies priced below their fundamentals, even if momentum headlines say otherwise. For methodology details and definitions, see the fund issuer pages and independent databases such as ETF-focused research sites. If you want to contrast with more aggressive styles, check out our Top 10 Growth ETFs or see how dividend strategies perform in our Top 10 Dividend ETFs. Value ETFs can also serve as a stabilizing anchor next to more speculative allocations like those in Top 10 Altcoins or Top 10 DeFi Tokens.
The Top 10 Value ETFs for 2026
Updated: November 11, 2025
Color labels indicate investor fit: Core = steady, broad-market value exposure for long-term stability, Balanced = blend of traditional value and factor-based or active tilts for moderate growth potential, High-Risk = smaller-cap or international value positions with higher volatility and return potential. This list features value-focused ETFs selected for their strong fundamentals, low fees, and consistent long-term performance. For simplicity and consistency, entries are ranked by assets under management (AUM) at the time of publication. We strongly encourage readers to conduct their own research before making any investment decisions and consult with a qualified professional.
VTV gives broad, low-cost exposure to U.S. large-cap value companies by tracking the CRSP U.S. Large Cap Value Index. It targets established firms that trade at lower valuations relative to fundamentals. With $150.77B AUM and deep liquidity, it is the default building block for investors who want value exposure without stock-picking.
VTV sits at the top of the value category for size and cost efficiency. The expense ratio is 0.04%, and the fund holds 316 stocks using market-cap weighting. Top positions include JPMorgan Chase (3.60%), Berkshire Hathaway Class B (3.35%), Exxon Mobil (2.06%), and Walmart (1.94%). Sector mix is led by Finance (27.0%), followed by Health Technology (11.1%) and Electronic Technology (9.9%).

IWD tracks the Russell 1000 Value Index, which represents large- and mid-cap U.S. companies considered undervalued based on metrics such as price-to-book and price-to-earnings ratios. With $66.19 billion AUM, it offers one of the most comprehensive ways to capture the value factor across the broader market. The fund was launched in 2000 and remains a pillar among institutional and retail investors seeking diversified value exposure.
Managed by BlackRock (iShares), IWD charges a 0.18 % expense ratio and holds 878 stocks using a market-cap weighting methodology. Top positions include Berkshire Hathaway B (3.11 %), JPMorgan Chase (2.99 %), Amazon (2.23 %), and Alphabet Class A and C (2.03 % and 1.66 %). Its sector allocation leans toward Finance (24.9 %), Electronic Technology (10.3 %), and Technology Services (9.8 %), balancing cyclical and defensive industries in one large-cap package.

IVE offers investors large-cap U.S. value exposure through the S&P 500 Value Index, selecting companies from the S&P 500 that exhibit lower price-to-book ratios and higher dividend yields. With $42.71 billion AUM, the fund provides an efficient way to hold the value half of the S&P 500. It’s one of the longest-running value ETFs, launched in 2000, and continues to serve as a simple, benchmark-anchored approach to value investing.
Managed by BlackRock (iShares), IVE maintains a 0.18 % expense ratio and currently holds 402 stocks. The top holdings, Apple (8.23 %), Microsoft (6.88 %), Amazon (3.86 %), Exxon Mobil (1.92 %), and Berkshire Hathaway B (1.77 %), reveal its large-cap focus, while sector weights show a balance between Electronic Technology (19.9 %), Finance (18 %), and Health Technology (10.4 %). Despite including tech heavyweights, its weighting tilts toward mature, profitable firms that meet value criteria within the S&P 500 framework.

VBR focuses on the small-cap segment of the U.S. equity market, tracking the CRSP U.S. Small Cap Value Index. It targets smaller companies trading below book value or earnings multiples, giving investors exposure to the lower end of the market-cap spectrum where valuation gaps often create opportunity. With $31.27 billion AUM, VBR offers one of the broadest and most cost-effective ways to capture the small-cap value factor.
Managed by Vanguard, VBR carries an expense ratio of 0.07 % and holds 845 stocks, fully passively managed using market-cap weighting. Top positions include NRG Energy, Emcor Group, Atmos Energy, and Williams-Sonoma. Its sector allocation is diverse, Finance (29.1 %), Producer Manufacturing (9.1 %), and Retail Trade (5.5 %) lead the mix, providing meaningful diversification away from mega-cap benchmarks.

CGDV is an actively managed ETF from Capital Group that blends dividend income with a value-driven approach. It invests primarily in large-cap U.S. equities that show strong balance sheets, consistent earnings, and sustainable payout growth. With $24.48 billion AUM, it has rapidly become one of the largest active value funds since launching in 2022, offering a quality-tilt alternative to purely index-tracked peers.
CGDV carries an expense ratio of 0.33 % and currently holds 59 stocks, making it far more concentrated than traditional value ETFs. Top holdings include NVIDIA (5.98 %), Microsoft (5.89 %), Eli Lilly (5.56 %), and Broadcom (5.08 %). Despite its focus on value and dividends, CGDV’s sector mix features meaningful exposure to Electronic Technology (24.2 %), Health Technology (12.9 %), and Technology Services (12.4 %), reflecting a quality-growth tilt within a dividend framework.

IUSV provides diversified exposure to the U.S. large- and mid-cap value segment by tracking the S&P 900 Value Index. It targets companies with attractive valuations and solid fundamentals while maintaining a broad multi-cap reach. With $23.52 billion AUM, IUSV is a cost leader among value ETFs, offering investors a simple and scalable way to capture the value factor across both the S&P 500 and S&P MidCap 400 universes.
Issued by BlackRock (iShares), IUSV charges an industry-low 0.04 % expense ratio and holds 698 stocks weighted by market capitalization. Top positions include Apple (7.79 %), Microsoft (6.52 %), Amazon (3.66 %), and Exxon Mobil (1.82 %), reflecting its large-cap bias. The sector breakdown highlights Electronic Technology (19.2 %), Finance (18.6 %), and Health Technology (10.1 %), providing balanced exposure to cyclical and defensive areas of the economy.

FNDX tracks the Russell RAFI U.S. Large Company Index, applying a fundamental-weighting approach based on sales, cash flow, and dividends instead of market cap. This gives investors exposure to large U.S. companies through a valuation-driven lens that systematically tilts toward cheaper stocks. With $21.23 billion AUM, FNDX combines index efficiency with factor-based insight, offering a low-cost path to value exposure through fundamental metrics rather than price momentum.
Issued by Charles Schwab, FNDX carries an expense ratio of 0.25 % and holds 744 stocks, making it broad yet methodically filtered. Top positions include Apple (4.63 %), Microsoft (2.86 %), Alphabet A (2.33 %), and Exxon Mobil (2.19 %). Sector exposure is spread across Finance (17.2 %), Electronic Technology (14.4 %), and Technology Services (11.9 %), reflecting a balance between tech leadership and value discipline rooted in fundamental metrics.

VOE focuses on U.S. mid-cap companies that exhibit strong value characteristics, tracking the CRSP U.S. Mid Cap Value Index. It blends the diversification of an index fund with exposure to faster-growing, less-covered firms that often fly under Wall Street’s radar. With $19.29 billion AUM, VOE provides investors a disciplined, low-cost way to capture the value premium within the mid-cap space.
Issued by Vanguard, VOE charges an ultra-low 0.07 % expense ratio and holds 183 stocks, giving it focused yet diversified coverage. Top holdings include Newmont Corp (1.77 %), CRH Plc (1.54 %), and Arthur J. Gallagher & Co (1.52 %). The fund’s largest sector allocations are Finance (24.6 %), Utilities (12.0 %), and Electronic Technology (7.0 %), creating a balanced mix of defensive and cyclical industries. Its beta of 0.93 and 10-year return of 95.82 % reflect consistent long-term participation in market upside with moderate volatility.

COWZ tracks the Pacer US Cash Cows 100 Index, which selects the top 100 U.S. companies by free cash flow yield. This strategy emphasizes profitability and cash efficiency, qualities that can outperform in volatile or tightening markets. With $18.06 billion AUM, COWZ has evolved into one of the most recognizable thematic value ETFs, known for its distinctive “cash cow” methodology and dynamic rebalancing approach.
Issued by Pacer Financial, COWZ is passively managed with a fundamental weighting based on free cash flow rather than market cap. It holds 101 stocks and charges a 0.49 % expense ratio, higher than plain-vanilla index funds but justified by its rules-driven active tilt. Top holdings include Applied Materials, Warner Bros. Discovery, and McKesson Corporation, while the largest sector exposures are Health Technology (14.3 %), Energy Minerals (12.3 %), and Technology Services (11.5 %). These allocations lean toward profitable cyclicals, giving COWZ a unique edge among value ETFs.

DFIV invests in large- and mid-cap companies outside the U.S. that trade at attractive valuations, following Dimensional’s factor-driven active process. It draws from academic research emphasizing value, profitability, and smaller-company premiums, giving investors a structured, evidence-based route to international value exposure. With $14.44 billion AUM, DFIV anchors Dimensional’s ETF lineup as its flagship global value strategy.
Issued by Dimensional Fund Advisors, DFIV is an actively managed ETF with an expense ratio of 0.27 % and 566 holdings. Its portfolio leans toward Finance (31.0 %), Consumer Durables (9.1 %), and Energy Minerals (8.8 %), spreading exposure across Europe, Asia, and developed ex-U.S. markets. Major positions include Shell plc, Toyota Motor Corp, and Banco Santander S.A. The fund’s disciplined weighting favors companies with high cash-flow yields and strong balance sheets, while its beta of 0.71 and 10-year return profile (95 % +) suggest a more stable ride than many emerging-market peers.

5 quick questions • 60 seconds
How to Use This List
Set your goal: Decide whether your priority is lower volatility, dividend income, or simply adding a value tilt to a growth-oriented core.
Select your style: You can choose from large-cap value, mid- or small-cap value, international value, or smart-beta value methods.
Layer smartly: Use a broad core ETF, such as one from our Top 10 Total Market ETFs, and then add one or two value tilts around it.
Diversify by sector or theme: Combine with sector-specific value plays like Top 10 Energy ETFs or Top 10 Clean Energy ETFs to capture different value angles.
Review periodically: Revisit quarterly for rebalances, fee changes, or shifts in tracking error or strategy.
How We Chose These ETFs
We reviewed dozens of U.S.-listed value ETFs across large-cap, mid-cap, small-cap, and international arenas. From there, we selected ten based on rigorous criteria:
- Strong historical performance and year-to-date returns
- Low expense ratios
- Value-oriented methodology (index or smart-beta)
- Adequate AUM and liquidity
- Strategy differentiation or unique tilt
This mirrors the disciplined process used in our Top 10 AI & Robotics ETFs and Top 10 Innovation ETFs.
This overview explains the criteria specific to this list. For a detailed explanation of how Impartoo’s Top 10 lists are researched, curated, and reviewed across all categories, see our Methodology.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a value ETF?
What: a fund that owns stocks considered cheap relative to fundamentals.
How: it tracks a value index or rules that favor low P E, low P B, low P C F, or high dividend yield.
Why: it offers a simple way to add a value tilt without picking individual stocks.
How is a value ETF different from a growth ETF?
What: value focuses on cheaper valuations, growth focuses on faster sales and earnings growth.
How: value screens use metrics like P E and P B, growth screens favor revenue and EPS trends.
Why: styles lead at different times, so mixing them can smooth long term returns.
What is price to earnings and why does it matter?
What: a valuation ratio comparing share price to earnings per share.
How: divide the current price by EPS, sometimes using forward EPS.
Why: a lower P E can signal cheaper pricing for the same dollar of earnings.
What is price to book?
What: a ratio that compares market price to a company’s book value.
How: divide price per share by book value per share.
Why: low P B often appears in classic value screens and deep value ETFs.
What is price to cash flow?
What: valuation based on operating cash flow rather than earnings.
How: divide price by cash flow per share.
Why: cash flow can be harder to manipulate and helps spot durable value.
What is a smart beta value ETF?
What: a rules based fund that tilts to value plus quality or profitability.
How: the index overweights stocks with value traits and strong balance sheets.
Why: combining value with quality can avoid some value traps.
What is an expense ratio and why does it matter?
What: the annual fee the ETF charges.
How: expressed as a percent of assets and deducted automatically.
Why: lower costs in value index funds compound into better net returns.
What is tracking error?
What: the gap between the ETF return and its benchmark return.
How: compare the fund’s performance to the index over time.
Why: lower tracking error means closer exposure to the intended value index.
What is sector concentration risk in value ETFs?
What: heavy exposure to sectors like financials, energy, or industrials.
How: review sector weights and top ten holdings.
Why: concentration can boost returns in certain cycles but increases downside when those sectors lag.
What are the risks of value ETFs?
What: value can underperform for long stretches and may include companies with real business challenges.
How: watch for falling earnings, high leverage, and low quality scores.
Why: understanding these risks helps you size your value tilt and pair it with core broad market exposure.
Final Thoughts on Value ETF Investing
Value ETFs are not just about buying cheap stocks. They offer a systematic way to invest in companies with solid fundamentals that may be temporarily out of favor. In periods of market rotation, value often outpaces growth. These ETFs let you tap into that potential with built-in diversification and cost efficiency. If you want to strengthen your strategy, consider combining insights from our Top 10 Value Stocks or exploring more themes through our
Top 10 Rankings Hub.
Explore More ETF Strategies
Looking to expand your strategy? Check out our other Top 10 ETF lists across growth, dividends, total market, and sector-specific themes. Each one is curated to help you navigate the ETF landscape with clarity and confidence.
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