PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
SMAX.TO vs. VFV.TO
Performance
Return for Risk
Dividends
Drawdowns
Volatility

SMAX.TO vs. VFV.TO

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Hamilton U.S. Equity YIELD MAXIMIZER ETF (SMAX.TO) and Vanguard S&P 500 Index ETF (VFV.TO).

SMAX.TO and VFV.TO are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. SMAX.TO is an actively managed fund by Hamilton Capital. It was launched on Oct 25, 2023. VFV.TO is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the S&P 500 Index. It was launched on Nov 2, 2012.

Performance

SMAX.TO vs. VFV.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in Hamilton U.S. Equity YIELD MAXIMIZER ETF (SMAX.TO) and Vanguard S&P 500 Index ETF (VFV.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading graphics...

SMAX.TO vs. VFV.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023
SMAX.TO
Hamilton U.S. Equity YIELD MAXIMIZER ETF		-2.43%18.64%40.16%7.98%
VFV.TO
Vanguard S&P 500 Index ETF		-3.12%12.18%35.23%10.84%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SMAX.TO achieves a -2.43% return, which is significantly higher than VFV.TO's -3.12% return.

SMAX.TO

1D
1.72%
1M
-2.84%
YTD
-2.43%
6M
1.69%
1Y
19.84%
3Y*
—
5Y*
—
10Y*
—

VFV.TO

1D
2.76%
1M
-3.12%
YTD
-3.12%
6M
-1.94%
1Y
13.65%
3Y*
19.11%
5Y*
13.78%
10Y*
14.47%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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

Hamilton U.S. Equity YIELD MAXIMIZER ETF

Vanguard S&P 500 Index ETF

Often compared with SMAX.TO:
SMAX.TO vs. AMAX.TOSMAX.TO vs. QMAX.TOSMAX.TO vs. HDIV.TOSMAX.TO vs. HMAX.TOSMAX.TO vs. HHIS.TOSMAX.TO vs. HYLD.TOSMAX.TO vs. USCL.TO
Often compared with VFV.TO:
VFV.TO vs. XEQT.TOVFV.TO vs. VEQT.TOVFV.TO vs. VOOVFV.TO vs. VSP.TOVFV.TO vs. QQC.TOVFV.TO vs. VCN.TOVFV.TO vs. XQQ.TO

SMAX.TO vs. VFV.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

SMAX.TO has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than VFV.TO's 0.09% expense ratio.

SMAX.TO
Hamilton U.S. Equity YIELD MAXIMIZER ETF
VFV.TO
Vanguard S&P 500 Index ETF

Return for Risk

SMAX.TO vs. VFV.TO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
SMAX.TO
SMAX.TO Risk / Return Rank: 7171
Overall Rank
SMAX.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6767
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SMAX.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 6767
Sortino Ratio Rank
SMAX.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 7373
Omega Ratio Rank
SMAX.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 7474
Calmar Ratio Rank
SMAX.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 7474
Martin Ratio Rank
VFV.TO
VFV.TO Risk / Return Rank: 4848
Overall Rank
VFV.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4545
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VFV.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 4444
Sortino Ratio Rank
VFV.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 5050
Omega Ratio Rank
VFV.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 5252
Calmar Ratio Rank
VFV.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 5151
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.

SMAX.TO vs. VFV.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hamilton U.S. Equity YIELD MAXIMIZER ETF (SMAX.TO) and Vanguard S&P 500 Index ETF (VFV.TO). 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.

SMAX.TOVFV.TODifference

Sharpe ratio

Return per unit of total volatility

1.16

0.75

+0.41

Sortino ratio

Return per unit of downside risk

1.66

1.13

+0.53

Omega ratio

Gain probability vs. loss probability

1.26

1.18

+0.09

Calmar ratio

Return relative to maximum drawdown

1.89

1.19

+0.70

Martin ratio

Return relative to average drawdown

7.54

4.51

+3.03

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SMAX.TO vs. VFV.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SMAX.TO Sharpe Ratio is 1.16, which is higher than the VFV.TO Sharpe Ratio of 0.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SMAX.TO and VFV.TO, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Loading graphics...

Sharpe Ratios by Period

SMAX.TOVFV.TODifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.16

0.75

+0.41

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

—

0.93

—

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

—

0.88

—

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

1.81

1.07

+0.74

Correlation

The correlation between SMAX.TO and VFV.TO is 0.91, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

SMAX.TO vs. VFV.TO - Dividend Comparison

SMAX.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 14.11%, more than VFV.TO's 0.96% yield.

TTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
SMAX.TO
Hamilton U.S. Equity YIELD MAXIMIZER ETF		14.11%14.67%13.88%2.57%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%
VFV.TO
Vanguard S&P 500 Index ETF		0.96%0.92%0.99%1.20%1.31%1.06%1.33%1.55%1.68%1.50%1.66%1.63%

Drawdowns

SMAX.TO vs. VFV.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMAX.TO drawdown since its inception was -18.22%, smaller than the maximum VFV.TO drawdown of -27.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMAX.TO and VFV.TO.

Loading graphics...

Drawdown Indicators

SMAX.TOVFV.TODifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-18.22%

-27.43%

+9.21%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.37%

-12.52%

+1.15%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

—

-22.19%

—

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-27.43%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-4.81%

-6.10%

+1.29%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-2.20%

-3.39%

+1.19%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.85%

3.29%

-0.44%

Volatility

SMAX.TO vs. VFV.TO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Hamilton U.S. Equity YIELD MAXIMIZER ETF (SMAX.TO) is 4.66%, while Vanguard S&P 500 Index ETF (VFV.TO) has a volatility of 5.12%. This indicates that SMAX.TO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VFV.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Loading graphics...

Volatility by Period

SMAX.TOVFV.TODifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.66%

5.12%

-0.46%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

9.00%

9.27%

-0.27%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

17.20%

18.28%

-1.08%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

14.47%

14.92%

-0.45%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

14.47%

16.57%

-2.10%