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FAN vs. SMOG
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

FAN vs. SMOG

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

FAN (First Trust Global Wind Energy ETF) and SMOG (VanEck Low Carbon Energy ETF) are both Alternative Energy Equities funds - FAN tracks the ISE Clean Edge Global Wind Energy Index while SMOG tracks the MVIS Global Low Carbon Energy Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FAN returned 9.88%/yr vs 12.89%/yr for SMOG. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FAN charges 0.62%/yr vs 0.61%/yr for SMOG.

Performance

FAN vs. SMOG - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FAN achieves a 20.47% return, which is significantly higher than SMOG's 10.83% return. Over the past 10 years, FAN has underperformed SMOG with an annualized return of 9.88%, while SMOG has yielded a comparatively higher 12.89% annualized return.

FAN

1D
-2.65%
1M
-5.81%
YTD
20.47%
6M
20.15%
1Y
38.86%
3Y*
14.67%
5Y*
4.21%
10Y*
9.88%

SMOG

1D
-3.46%
1M
-5.46%
YTD
10.83%
6M
10.00%
1Y
33.70%
3Y*
8.57%
5Y*
-0.48%
10Y*
12.89%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

FAN vs. SMOG - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
FAN
First Trust Global Wind Energy ETF		20.47%40.38%-8.96%-3.20%-13.12%-11.63%61.16%31.22%-11.40%16.30%
SMOG
VanEck Low Carbon Energy ETF		10.83%33.36%-9.33%1.42%-29.92%-2.75%118.38%38.86%-10.18%22.69%

Correlation

The correlation between FAN and SMOG is 0.73, 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

0.73

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.77

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.78

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.75

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 27, 2008

0.76

The correlation between FAN and SMOG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.73 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.

FAN vs. SMOG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
FAN
SMOG

Utilities

55.7%
34.4%

Industrials

41.3%
30.1%

Consumer Cyclical

1.7%
20.6%

Energy

1.1%
5.6%

Basic Materials

0.3%
1.3%

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Financial Services

-

0.6%

Healthcare

-

-

Real Estate

-

-

Technology

-

7.4%

Utilities

FAN
55.7%
SMOG
34.4%

Industrials

FAN
41.3%
SMOG
30.1%

Consumer Cyclical

FAN
1.7%
SMOG
20.6%

Energy

FAN
1.1%
SMOG
5.6%

Basic Materials

FAN
0.3%
SMOG
1.3%

Communication Services

FAN

-

SMOG

-

Consumer Defensive

FAN

-

SMOG

-

Financial Services

FAN

-

SMOG
0.6%

Healthcare

FAN

-

SMOG

-

Real Estate

FAN

-

SMOG

-

Technology

FAN

-

SMOG
7.4%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

First Trust Global Wind Energy ETF

VanEck Low Carbon Energy ETF

Often compared with FAN:
FAN vs. TANFAN vs. ICLNFAN vs. QCLNFAN vs. PBDFAN vs. RAYSFAN vs. GRIDFAN vs. CTEC
Often compared with SMOG:
SMOG vs. ICLNSMOG vs. ERTHSMOG vs. TANSMOG vs. QCLNSMOG vs. DRIVSMOG vs. VOOSMOG vs. SKYY

Return for Risk

FAN vs. SMOG — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
FAN
FAN Risk / Return Rank: 6363
Overall Rank
FAN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6161
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FAN Sortino Ratio Rank: 5757
Sortino Ratio Rank
FAN Omega Ratio Rank: 5555
Omega Ratio Rank
FAN Calmar Ratio Rank: 7373
Calmar Ratio Rank
FAN Martin Ratio Rank: 6767
Martin Ratio Rank
SMOG
SMOG Risk / Return Rank: 5252
Overall Rank
SMOG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4747
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SMOG Sortino Ratio Rank: 4343
Sortino Ratio Rank
SMOG Omega Ratio Rank: 4444
Omega Ratio Rank
SMOG Calmar Ratio Rank: 6565
Calmar Ratio Rank
SMOG Martin Ratio Rank: 5858
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

FAN vs. SMOG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Global Wind Energy ETF (FAN) 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

FANSMOGDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.91
1.56

+0.35

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.57
2.09

+0.48

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.32

1.27

+0.05

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.51

2.99

+0.52

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

11.64

9.70

+1.95

FAN vs. SMOG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FAN Sharpe Ratio is 1.91, which is comparable to the SMOG Sharpe Ratio of 1.56. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FAN 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.

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Drawdowns

FAN vs. SMOG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FAN drawdown since its inception was -79.94%, smaller than the maximum SMOG drawdown of -84.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FAN and SMOG.

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Drawdown Indicators

FANSMOGDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-79.94%

-84.39%

+4.45%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.13%

-11.32%

+0.19%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-24.46%

-28.72%

+4.26%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-38.45%

-47.86%

+9.41%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-46.29%

-51.10%

+4.81%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-9.44%

-19.91%

+10.47%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-45.08%

-52.37%

+7.29%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.35%

3.48%

-0.13%

Volatility

FAN vs. SMOG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Global Wind Energy ETF (FAN) is 6.87%, while VanEck Low Carbon Energy ETF (SMOG) has a volatility of 9.15%. This indicates that FAN experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SMOG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

FANSMOGDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

6.87%

9.15%

-2.28%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

15.93%

17.34%

-1.41%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

20.41%

21.70%

-1.29%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

21.42%

25.36%

-3.94%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

20.96%

25.74%

-4.78%

FAN vs. SMOG - Expense Ratio Comparison

FAN has a 0.62% expense ratio, which is higher than SMOG's 0.61% expense ratio.

Dividends

FAN vs. SMOG - Dividend Comparison

FAN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%, less than SMOG's 1.42% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
FAN
First Trust Global Wind Energy ETF		1.03%1.35%1.52%1.71%1.50%1.79%0.84%2.42%2.67%2.59%6.04%2.35%
SMOG
VanEck Low Carbon Energy ETF		1.42%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

FAN and SMOG have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

SMOG has higher volatility (9.15%) compared to FAN (6.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FAN dropped -79.94% vs SMOG's -84.39%.

On 10-year performance, SMOG leads with 12.89% vs 9.88% for FAN. On fees, SMOG is cheaper at 0.61% per year. On volatility, FAN has been the lower-risk option at 6.87%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, SMOG has performed better with a 12.89% return vs 9.88%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

SMOG is cheaper with a 0.61% expense ratio, compared with 0.62% for FAN.

SMOG has the higher dividend yield at 1.42%, compared with 1.03% for FAN.

FAN tracks ISE Clean Edge Global Wind Energy Index, while SMOG tracks MVIS Global Low Carbon Energy Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.62% for FAN and 0.61% for SMOG.

FAN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.91 vs 1.56), 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.

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