SMB vs. PUSH

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SMB (VanEck Short Muni ETF) and PUSH (PGIM Ultra Short Municipal Bond ETF) are both Municipal Bonds funds. SMB is passively managed, while PUSH is actively managed. Over the past year, SMB returned 3.81% vs 3.85% for PUSH. At a 0.26 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SMB charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for PUSH.

Performance

SMB vs. PUSH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Short Muni ETF (SMB) and PGIM Ultra Short Municipal Bond ETF (PUSH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SMB achieves a 0.55% return, which is significantly lower than PUSH's 1.32% return.

SMB

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.53%
• YTD: 0.55%
• 6M: 1.25%
• 1Y: 3.81%
• 3Y*: 3.62%
• 5Y*: 1.17%
• 10Y*: 1.51%

PUSH

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 0.38%
• YTD: 1.32%
• 6M: 1.66%
• 1Y: 3.85%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SMB vs. PUSH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
SMB VanEck Short Muni ETF	0.55%	4.61%	1.99%
PUSH PGIM Ultra Short Municipal Bond ETF	1.32%	4.16%	1.74%

Correlation

The correlation between SMB and PUSH is 0.09, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.09
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 1, 2024	0.26

The correlation between SMB and PUSH shifts across timeframes, from 0.09 (1 year) to 0.26 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SMB vs. PUSH — Risk / Return Rank

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

SMB

SMB Risk / Return Rank: 69
SMB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SMB Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
SMB Omega Ratio Rank: 77
SMB Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
SMB Martin Ratio Rank: 54

PUSH

PUSH Risk / Return Rank: 88
PUSH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
PUSH Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
PUSH Omega Ratio Rank: 94
PUSH Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
PUSH Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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.

SMB vs. PUSH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Short Muni ETF (SMB) and PGIM Ultra Short Municipal Bond ETF (PUSH). 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.

	SMB	PUSH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.33	2.54	-0.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.43	3.84	-0.41
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.71	-0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.27	7.72	-4.45
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.20	19.17	-9.97
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SMB vs. PUSH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SMB Sharpe Ratio is 2.33, which is comparable to the PUSH Sharpe Ratio of 2.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SMB and PUSH, 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

	SMB	PUSH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.33	2.54	-0.20
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.36	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	2.91	-2.49

Drawdowns

SMB vs. PUSH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMB drawdown since its inception was -12.64%, which is greater than PUSH's maximum drawdown of -0.85%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMB and PUSH.

Drawdown Indicators

	SMB	PUSH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.64%	-0.85%	-11.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.17%	-0.50%	-0.67%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.80%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-7.48%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-12.64%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.25%	0.00%	-0.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.14%	-0.11%	-1.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.41%	0.20%	+0.21%

Volatility

SMB vs. PUSH - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Short Muni ETF (SMB) has a higher volatility of 0.42% compared to PGIM Ultra Short Municipal Bond ETF (PUSH) at 0.30%. This indicates that SMB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PUSH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SMB	PUSH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.42%	0.30%	+0.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.20%	0.98%	+0.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.64%	1.52%	+0.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.48%	1.30%	+1.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.26%	1.30%	+2.96%

SMB vs. PUSH - Expense Ratio Comparison

SMB has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than PUSH's 0.15% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SMB vs. PUSH - Dividend Comparison

SMB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.70%, less than PUSH's 3.23% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PUSH PGIM Ultra Short Municipal Bond ETF	3.23%	3.45%	1.86%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SMB VanEck Short Muni ETF	2.70%	2.63%	2.38%	1.83%	1.32%	1.24%	1.50%	1.58%	1.49%	1.23%	1.12%	1.13%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SMB and PUSH in my portfolio?

SMB and PUSH have a correlation of 0.09, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SMB or PUSH?

SMB has higher volatility (0.42%) compared to PUSH (0.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SMB dropped -12.64% vs PUSH's -0.85%.

Which ETF is better, SMB or PUSH?

On 1-year performance, PUSH leads with 3.85% vs 3.81% for SMB. On fees, PUSH is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, PUSH has been the lower-risk option at 0.30%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SMB or PUSH?

Over the 1-year period, PUSH has performed better with a 3.85% return vs 3.81%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SMB or PUSH?

PUSH is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for SMB.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SMB or PUSH?

PUSH has the higher dividend yield at 3.23%, compared with 2.70% for SMB.

What is the main difference between SMB and PUSH?

They also come from different issuers: VanEck and PGIM. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for SMB and 0.15% for PUSH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PUSH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.54 vs 2.33), 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.