BUZZ vs. SMIZ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BUZZ (VanEck Social Sentiment ETF) and SMIZ (Zacks Small/Mid Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BUZZ is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the BUZZ NextGen AI US Sentiment Leaders Index, while SMIZ is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Zacks. BUZZ is passively managed, while SMIZ is actively managed. Over the past year, BUZZ returned 44.51% vs 30.97% for SMIZ. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BUZZ charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.56%/yr for SMIZ.

Performance

BUZZ vs. SMIZ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Social Sentiment ETF (BUZZ) and Zacks Small/Mid Cap ETF (SMIZ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BUZZ achieves a 22.01% return, which is significantly higher than SMIZ's 15.79% return.

BUZZ

• 1D: -2.53%
• 1M: 14.04%
• YTD: 22.01%
• 6M: 16.69%
• 1Y: 44.51%
• 3Y*: 36.58%
• 5Y*: 9.80%
• 10Y*: —

SMIZ

• 1D: -0.83%
• 1M: 3.15%
• YTD: 15.79%
• 6M: 14.09%
• 1Y: 30.97%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BUZZ vs. SMIZ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
BUZZ VanEck Social Sentiment ETF	22.01%	30.61%	33.74%	25.93%
SMIZ Zacks Small/Mid Cap ETF	15.79%	12.16%	17.92%	16.39%

Correlation

The correlation between BUZZ and SMIZ is 0.71, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 4, 2023	0.78

The correlation between BUZZ and SMIZ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.

BUZZ vs. SMIZ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BUZZ	SMIZ
Technology	49.0%	24.7%
Communication Services	12.9%	2.4%
Financial Services	12.8%	21.0%
Consumer Cyclical	11.9%	6.1%
Industrials	5.2%	21.6%
Healthcare	4.9%	8.1%
Consumer Defensive	1.4%	4.2%
Utilities	0.9%	2.6%
Energy	0.6%	2.9%
Basic Materials	0.3%	3.1%
Real Estate	-	3.5%

Return for Risk

BUZZ vs. SMIZ — Risk / Return Rank

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

BUZZ

BUZZ Risk / Return Rank: 33
BUZZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
BUZZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
BUZZ Omega Ratio Rank: 35
BUZZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
BUZZ Martin Ratio Rank: 26

SMIZ

SMIZ Risk / Return Rank: 58
SMIZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
SMIZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
SMIZ Omega Ratio Rank: 53
SMIZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
SMIZ Martin Ratio Rank: 65

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.

BUZZ vs. SMIZ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Social Sentiment ETF (BUZZ) and Zacks Small/Mid Cap ETF (SMIZ). 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.

	BUZZ	SMIZ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.43	1.86	-0.43
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.93	2.63	-0.70
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.33	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.47	2.96	-1.49
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.56	11.82	-8.26
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BUZZ vs. SMIZ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BUZZ Sharpe Ratio is 1.43, which is comparable to the SMIZ Sharpe Ratio of 1.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BUZZ and SMIZ, 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

	BUZZ	SMIZ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.43	1.86	-0.43
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.30	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.33	1.29	-0.96

Drawdowns

BUZZ vs. SMIZ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BUZZ drawdown since its inception was -56.87%, which is greater than SMIZ's maximum drawdown of -25.04%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUZZ and SMIZ.

Drawdown Indicators

	BUZZ	SMIZ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.87%	-25.04%	-31.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-30.47%	-10.51%	-19.96%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-30.47%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-56.87%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.84%	-0.83%	-2.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-24.00%	-3.97%	-20.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.55%	2.63%	+9.92%

Volatility

BUZZ vs. SMIZ - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Social Sentiment ETF (BUZZ) has a higher volatility of 9.36% compared to Zacks Small/Mid Cap ETF (SMIZ) at 4.59%. This indicates that BUZZ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SMIZ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BUZZ	SMIZ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.36%	4.59%	+4.77%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.67%	12.79%	+10.88%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	31.35%	16.76%	+14.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	32.98%	18.89%	+14.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	32.69%	18.89%	+13.80%

BUZZ vs. SMIZ - Expense Ratio Comparison

BUZZ has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than SMIZ's 0.56% expense ratio.

Dividends

BUZZ vs. SMIZ - Dividend Comparison

BUZZ has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SMIZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.53%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
BUZZ VanEck Social Sentiment ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.50%	0.52%	0.40%
SMIZ Zacks Small/Mid Cap ETF	0.53%	0.62%	1.57%	0.07%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BUZZ and SMIZ in my portfolio?

BUZZ and SMIZ have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BUZZ or SMIZ?

BUZZ has higher volatility (9.36%) compared to SMIZ (4.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BUZZ dropped -56.87% vs SMIZ's -25.04%.

Which ETF is better, BUZZ or SMIZ?

On 1-year performance, BUZZ leads with 44.51% vs 30.97% for SMIZ. On fees, SMIZ is cheaper at 0.56% per year. On volatility, SMIZ has been the lower-risk option at 4.59%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BUZZ or SMIZ?

Over the 1-year period, BUZZ has performed better with a 44.51% return vs 30.97%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BUZZ or SMIZ?

SMIZ is cheaper with a 0.56% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for BUZZ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BUZZ or SMIZ?

SMIZ has the higher dividend yield at 0.53%, compared with 0.00% for BUZZ.

What is the main difference between BUZZ and SMIZ?

BUZZ is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while SMIZ is Mid Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and Zacks. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for BUZZ and 0.56% for SMIZ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMIZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.86 vs 1.43), 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.