HAPS vs. SMLL

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

HAPS (Harbor Human Capital Factor US Small Cap ETF) and SMLL (Harbor Active Small Cap ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds from Harbor. HAPS is passively managed, while SMLL is actively managed. Over the past year, HAPS returned 32.55% vs 5.80% for SMLL. Their correlation of 0.88 means they have usually moved in the same direction. HAPS charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for SMLL.

Performance

HAPS vs. SMLL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Harbor Human Capital Factor US Small Cap ETF (HAPS) and Harbor Active Small Cap ETF (SMLL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HAPS achieves a 18.77% return, which is significantly higher than SMLL's 7.95% return.

HAPS

• 1D: -0.28%
• 1M: -0.58%
• 6M: 15.97%
• YTD: 18.77%
• 1Y: 32.55%
• 3Y*: 11.45%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 13.58%

SMLL

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 0.10%
• 6M: 5.67%
• YTD: 7.95%
• 1Y: 5.80%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 6.30%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
HAPS Harbor Human Capital Factor US Small Cap ETF	$1.41K	$1.61K	$1.56K
SMLL Harbor Active Small Cap ETF	$12.67K	$15.57K	$37.20K

HAPS vs. SMLL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
HAPS Harbor Human Capital Factor US Small Cap ETF	18.77%	8.35%	2.14%
SMLL Harbor Active Small Cap ETF	7.95%	-6.31%	11.18%

Correlation

The correlation between HAPS and SMLL is 0.87, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 29, 2024	0.88

The correlation between HAPS and SMLL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

HAPS vs. SMLL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	HAPS	SMLL
Healthcare	17.8%	5.4%
Financial Services	17.6%	19.7%
Technology	15.8%	15.7%
Industrials	14.4%	31.6%
Consumer Cyclical	8.9%	9.6%
Energy	6.8%	5.6%
Real Estate	5.9%	6.0%
Basic Materials	5.1%	5.1%
Communication Services	2.8%	-
Consumer Defensive	2.6%	0.9%
Utilities	2.4%	0.5%

Return for Risk

HAPS vs. SMLL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

HAPS

HAPS Risk / Return Rank: 81
HAPS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
HAPS Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
HAPS Omega Ratio Rank: 76
HAPS Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
HAPS Martin Ratio Rank: 81

SMLL

SMLL Risk / Return Rank: 15
SMLL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
SMLL Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
SMLL Omega Ratio Rank: 15
SMLL Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
SMLL Martin Ratio Rank: 14

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

HAPS vs. SMLL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Harbor Human Capital Factor US Small Cap ETF (HAPS) and Harbor Active Small Cap ETF (SMLL). 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.

	HAPS	SMLL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.85	0.19	+1.65
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.74	0.41	+2.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.05	+0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.08	0.22	+2.86
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.60	0.44	+10.16

HAPS vs. SMLL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HAPS Sharpe Ratio is 1.85, which is higher than the SMLL Sharpe Ratio of 0.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HAPS and SMLL, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

HAPS vs. SMLL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HAPS drawdown since its inception was -27.44%, which is greater than SMLL's maximum drawdown of -23.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HAPS and SMLL.

Drawdown Indicators

	HAPS	SMLL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-27.44%	-23.56%	-3.88%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.01%	-15.53%	+5.52%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.44%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.66%	-6.17%	+4.51%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.87%	-8.64%	+2.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.90%	7.74%	-4.84%

Volatility

HAPS vs. SMLL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Harbor Human Capital Factor US Small Cap ETF (HAPS) is 3.12%, while Harbor Active Small Cap ETF (SMLL) has a volatility of 5.20%. This indicates that HAPS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SMLL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HAPS	SMLL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.12%	5.20%	-2.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.54%	12.09%	-0.55%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.72%	17.56%	-0.84%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.52%	20.09%	+0.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.52%	20.09%	+0.43%

HAPS vs. SMLL - Expense Ratio Comparison

HAPS has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than SMLL's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

HAPS vs. SMLL - Dividend Comparison

HAPS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.48%, less than SMLL's 2.19% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
HAPS Harbor Human Capital Factor US Small Cap ETF	0.48%	0.57%	0.72%	0.42%
SMLL Harbor Active Small Cap ETF	2.19%	2.37%	0.52%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HAPS and SMLL in my portfolio?

HAPS and SMLL have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HAPS or SMLL?

SMLL has higher volatility (5.20%) compared to HAPS (3.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HAPS dropped -27.44% vs SMLL's -23.56%.

Which ETF is better, HAPS or SMLL?

On 1-year performance, HAPS leads with 32.55% vs 5.80% for SMLL. On fees, HAPS is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, HAPS has been the lower-risk option at 3.12%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HAPS or SMLL?

Over the 1-year period, HAPS has performed better with a 32.55% return vs 5.80%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HAPS or SMLL?

HAPS is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for SMLL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, HAPS or SMLL?

SMLL has the higher dividend yield at 2.19%, compared with 0.48% for HAPS.

What is the main difference between HAPS and SMLL?

Their fees differ too: 0.60% for HAPS and 0.80% for SMLL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HAPS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.85 vs 0.19), 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.