USMV offers a minimum-volatility portfolio of US stocks. The fund's index uses an optimization algorithm to build a minimum variance portfolio, one that considers correlation between stocks rather than simply holding a basket of low-vol stocks. While USMV applies sector constraints in its optimizer, sector bets can be substantial, if unsurprising. The fund typically overweights defensive, dividend-paying sectors. USMV`s optimizer also aims to keep other risk factors marketlike as it dials back on volatility. The ETF takes substantially less risk than the market portfolio as shown by low beta.