SMCO vs. LST

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SMCO (Hilton Small-Midcap Opportunity ETF) and LST (Leuthold Select Industries ETF) are both Mid Cap Blend Equities funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, SMCO returned 22.05% vs 34.83% for LST. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SMCO charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for LST.

Performance

SMCO vs. LST - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Hilton Small-Midcap Opportunity ETF (SMCO) and Leuthold Select Industries ETF (LST). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SMCO achieves a 12.31% return, which is significantly lower than LST's 16.81% return.

SMCO

• 1D: -0.37%
• 1M: 2.03%
• YTD: 12.31%
• 6M: 11.53%
• 1Y: 22.05%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

LST

• 1D: -0.18%
• 1M: 7.41%
• YTD: 16.81%
• 6M: 18.46%
• 1Y: 34.83%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SMCO vs. LST - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
SMCO Hilton Small-Midcap Opportunity ETF	12.31%	-0.61%
LST Leuthold Select Industries ETF	16.81%	15.64%

Correlation

The correlation between SMCO and LST is 0.81, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 22, 2025	0.84

The correlation between SMCO and LST has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SMCO vs. LST — Risk / Return Rank

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

SMCO

SMCO Risk / Return Rank: 43
SMCO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
SMCO Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
SMCO Omega Ratio Rank: 39
SMCO Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
SMCO Martin Ratio Rank: 48

LST

LST Risk / Return Rank: 73
LST Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
LST Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
LST Omega Ratio Rank: 73
LST Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
LST Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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.

SMCO vs. LST - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hilton Small-Midcap Opportunity ETF (SMCO) and Leuthold Select Industries ETF (LST). 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.

	SMCO	LST	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.41	2.44	-1.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.08	3.42	-1.34
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.43	-0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.32	3.23	-0.91
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.82	13.38	-5.56
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SMCO vs. LST - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SMCO Sharpe Ratio is 1.41, which is lower than the LST Sharpe Ratio of 2.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SMCO and LST, 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

	SMCO	LST	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.41	2.44	-1.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.00	1.38	-0.38

Drawdowns

SMCO vs. LST - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMCO drawdown since its inception was -22.71%, which is greater than LST's maximum drawdown of -19.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMCO and LST.

Drawdown Indicators

	SMCO	LST	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.71%	-19.47%	-3.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.56%	-10.85%	+1.29%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.37%	-0.18%	-0.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.75%	-2.92%	-0.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.83%	2.61%	+0.22%

Volatility

SMCO vs. LST - Volatility Comparison

Hilton Small-Midcap Opportunity ETF (SMCO) and Leuthold Select Industries ETF (LST) have volatilities of 3.92% and 4.11%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SMCO	LST	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.92%	4.11%	-0.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.81%	11.72%	+0.09%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.76%	14.33%	+1.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.22%	17.93%	+0.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.22%	17.93%	+0.29%

SMCO vs. LST - Expense Ratio Comparison

SMCO has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is lower than LST's 0.65% expense ratio.

Dividends

SMCO vs. LST - Dividend Comparison

SMCO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.90%, less than LST's 1.15% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
LST Leuthold Select Industries ETF	1.15%	1.34%	0.00%	0.00%
SMCO Hilton Small-Midcap Opportunity ETF	0.90%	1.01%	0.47%	0.05%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SMCO and LST in my portfolio?

SMCO and LST have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SMCO or LST?

LST has higher volatility (4.11%) compared to SMCO (3.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SMCO dropped -22.71% vs LST's -19.47%.

Which ETF is better, SMCO or LST?

On 1-year performance, LST leads with 34.83% vs 22.05% for SMCO. On fees, SMCO is cheaper at 0.55% per year. On volatility, SMCO has been the lower-risk option at 3.92%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SMCO or LST?

Over the 1-year period, LST has performed better with a 34.83% return vs 22.05%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SMCO or LST?

SMCO is cheaper with a 0.55% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for LST.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SMCO or LST?

LST has the higher dividend yield at 1.15%, compared with 0.90% for SMCO.

What is the main difference between SMCO and LST?

They also come from different issuers: Hilton and Leuthold Group. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for SMCO and 0.65% for LST.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LST currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.44 vs 1.41), 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.