ACES vs. SMOG

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

ACES (ALPS Clean Energy ETF) and SMOG (VanEck Low Carbon Energy ETF) are both Alternative Energy Equities funds - ACES tracks the CIBC Atlas Clean Energy Index while SMOG tracks the MVIS Global Low Carbon Energy Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ACES returned -8.07%/yr vs 2.30%/yr for SMOG. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ACES charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.61%/yr for SMOG.

Performance

ACES vs. SMOG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ALPS Clean Energy ETF (ACES) and VanEck Low Carbon Energy ETF (SMOG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ACES achieves a 32.49% return, which is significantly higher than SMOG's 19.60% return.

ACES

• 1D: 2.95%
• 1M: 20.25%
• YTD: 32.49%
• 6M: 32.78%
• 1Y: 80.47%
• 3Y*: -0.25%
• 5Y*: -8.07%
• 10Y*: —

SMOG

• 1D: 1.97%
• 1M: 0.12%
• YTD: 19.60%
• 6M: 19.05%
• 1Y: 45.62%
• 3Y*: 11.30%
• 5Y*: 2.30%
• 10Y*: 12.83%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ACES vs. SMOG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
ACES ALPS Clean Energy ETF	32.49%	25.44%	-26.71%	-20.04%	-28.44%	-19.44%	140.33%	51.70%	-9.63%
SMOG VanEck Low Carbon Energy ETF	19.60%	33.36%	-9.33%	1.42%	-29.92%	-2.75%	118.38%	38.86%	-6.03%

Correlation

The correlation between ACES and SMOG is 0.81, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 2, 2018	0.84

The correlation between ACES and SMOG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

ACES vs. SMOG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ACES	SMOG
Utilities	25.5%	33.2%
Technology	24.8%	8.4%
Industrials	20.3%	28.1%
Consumer Cyclical	11.1%	21.7%
Basic Materials	9.3%	1.2%
Financial Services	5.3%	0.6%
Consumer Defensive	3.2%	-
Energy	0.5%	6.6%
Communication Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

ACES vs. SMOG — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

ACES

ACES Risk / Return Rank: 69
ACES Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
ACES Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
ACES Omega Ratio Rank: 60
ACES Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
ACES Martin Ratio Rank: 62

SMOG

SMOG Risk / Return Rank: 70
SMOG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
SMOG Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
SMOG Omega Ratio Rank: 61
SMOG Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
SMOG Martin Ratio Rank: 75

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

ACES vs. SMOG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ALPS Clean Energy ETF (ACES) and VanEck Low Carbon Energy ETF (SMOG). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	ACES	SMOG	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.51	2.24	+0.26
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.09	2.88	+0.21
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.37	0.00
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.47	5.10	-0.63
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.30	14.52	-3.23
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ACES vs. SMOG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ACES Sharpe Ratio is 2.51, which is comparable to the SMOG Sharpe Ratio of 2.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ACES and SMOG, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ACES	SMOG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.51	2.24	+0.26
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.22	0.09	-0.32
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.50	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.23	0.07	+0.15

Drawdowns

ACES vs. SMOG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ACES drawdown since its inception was -79.05%, smaller than the maximum SMOG drawdown of -84.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ACES and SMOG.

Drawdown Indicators

	ACES	SMOG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-79.05%	-84.39%	+5.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.44%	-8.82%	-8.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-58.68%	-28.72%	-29.96%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-74.44%	-47.86%	-26.58%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-51.10%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-55.14%	-13.57%	-41.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-38.86%	-52.48%	+13.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.91%	3.10%	+3.81%

Volatility

ACES vs. SMOG - Volatility Comparison

ALPS Clean Energy ETF (ACES) has a higher volatility of 9.41% compared to VanEck Low Carbon Energy ETF (SMOG) at 7.42%. This indicates that ACES's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SMOG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ACES	SMOG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.41%	7.42%	+1.99%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.55%	15.46%	+7.09%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	32.32%	20.45%	+11.87%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.15%	25.12%	+11.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	35.58%	25.73%	+9.85%

ACES vs. SMOG - Expense Ratio Comparison

ACES has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is lower than SMOG's 0.61% expense ratio.

Dividends

ACES vs. SMOG - Dividend Comparison

ACES's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.53%, less than SMOG's 1.31% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ACES ALPS Clean Energy ETF	0.53%	0.70%	1.10%	1.44%	1.08%	0.71%	0.56%	1.79%	0.34%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SMOG VanEck Low Carbon Energy ETF	1.31%	1.57%	1.64%	1.58%	1.32%	0.44%	0.06%	0.00%	0.62%	1.25%	2.12%	0.56%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ACES and SMOG in my portfolio?

ACES and SMOG have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ACES or SMOG?

ACES has higher volatility (9.41%) compared to SMOG (7.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ACES dropped -79.05% vs SMOG's -84.39%.

Which ETF is better, ACES or SMOG?

On 5-year performance, SMOG leads with 2.30% vs -8.07% for ACES. On fees, ACES is cheaper at 0.55% per year. On volatility, SMOG has been the lower-risk option at 7.42%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ACES or SMOG?

Over the 5-year period, SMOG has performed better with a 2.30% return vs -8.07%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ACES or SMOG?

ACES is cheaper with a 0.55% expense ratio, compared with 0.61% for SMOG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ACES or SMOG?

SMOG has the higher dividend yield at 1.31%, compared with 0.53% for ACES.

What is the main difference between ACES and SMOG?

ACES tracks CIBC Atlas Clean Energy Index, while SMOG tracks MVIS Global Low Carbon Energy Index. They also come from different issuers: SS&C and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for ACES and 0.61% for SMOG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ACES currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.51 vs 2.24), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.