SMIG vs. XLG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SMIG (Bahl & Gaynor Small/Mid Cap Income Growth ETF) and XLG (Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SMIG is a Small Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Bahl & Gaynor, while XLG is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Top 50 Index. SMIG is actively managed, while XLG is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, SMIG returned 13.09%/yr vs 24.46%/yr for XLG. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SMIG charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for XLG.

Performance

SMIG vs. XLG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Bahl & Gaynor Small/Mid Cap Income Growth ETF (SMIG) and Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF (XLG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SMIG achieves a 10.18% return, which is significantly higher than XLG's 7.57% return.

SMIG

• 1D: -0.28%
• 1M: 1.31%
• YTD: 10.18%
• 6M: 11.46%
• 1Y: 11.81%
• 3Y*: 13.09%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

XLG

• 1D: -1.15%
• 1M: 4.22%
• YTD: 7.57%
• 6M: 7.32%
• 1Y: 28.54%
• 3Y*: 24.46%
• 5Y*: 16.24%
• 10Y*: 17.27%

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

SMIG vs. XLG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
SMIG Bahl & Gaynor Small/Mid Cap Income Growth ETF	10.18%	0.78%	17.63%	13.62%	-11.83%	5.51%
XLG Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF	7.57%	19.51%	33.49%	38.16%	-24.29%	8.25%

Correlation

The correlation between SMIG and XLG is 0.35, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.35
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.47
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 27, 2021	0.61

Over the past year, the correlation between SMIG and XLG has dropped to 0.35 - well below their long-term average of 0.61, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

SMIG vs. XLG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SMIG	XLG
Technology	19.8%	43.9%
Consumer Cyclical	17.2%	11.3%
Financial Services	14.2%	9.6%
Industrials	13.9%	1.9%
Energy	12.8%	2.7%
Healthcare	10.1%	7.0%
Basic Materials	7.9%	0.6%
Real Estate	6.9%	-
Utilities	5.4%	-
Consumer Defensive	2.4%	5.8%
Communication Services	2.2%	17.1%

Return for Risk

SMIG vs. XLG — Risk / Return Rank

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

SMIG

SMIG Risk / Return Rank: 27
SMIG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
SMIG Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
SMIG Omega Ratio Rank: 26
SMIG Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
SMIG Martin Ratio Rank: 27

XLG

XLG Risk / Return Rank: 56
XLG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
XLG Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
XLG Omega Ratio Rank: 61
XLG Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
XLG Martin Ratio Rank: 51

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.

SMIG vs. XLG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Bahl & Gaynor Small/Mid Cap Income Growth ETF (SMIG) and Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF (XLG). 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.

	SMIG	XLG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.99	2.15	-1.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.53	2.92	-1.39
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.38	-0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.39	2.31	-0.92
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.62	8.66	-5.04
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SMIG vs. XLG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SMIG Sharpe Ratio is 0.99, which is lower than the XLG Sharpe Ratio of 2.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SMIG and XLG, 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

	SMIG	XLG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.99	2.15	-1.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.92	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.43	0.62	-0.19

Drawdowns

SMIG vs. XLG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMIG drawdown since its inception was -19.65%, smaller than the maximum XLG drawdown of -52.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMIG and XLG.

Drawdown Indicators

	SMIG	XLG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.65%	-52.39%	+32.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.52%	-12.41%	+3.89%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.23%	-20.70%	+1.47%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-28.02%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-30.46%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.79%	-1.44%	-0.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.55%	-7.64%	+1.09%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.27%	3.30%	-0.03%

Volatility

SMIG vs. XLG - Volatility Comparison

Bahl & Gaynor Small/Mid Cap Income Growth ETF (SMIG) has a higher volatility of 3.65% compared to Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF (XLG) at 3.19%. This indicates that SMIG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SMIG	XLG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.65%	3.19%	+0.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.43%	9.80%	-1.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.98%	13.33%	-1.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.20%	18.68%	-2.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.20%	18.84%	-2.64%

SMIG vs. XLG - Expense Ratio Comparison

SMIG has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than XLG's 0.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

SMIG vs. XLG - Dividend Comparison

SMIG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.75%, more than XLG's 0.60% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SMIG Bahl & Gaynor Small/Mid Cap Income Growth ETF	1.75%	1.82%	1.75%	1.91%	2.00%	0.50%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XLG Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF	0.60%	0.64%	0.72%	0.97%	1.34%	0.94%	1.25%	1.58%	2.00%	1.85%	2.00%	2.09%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SMIG and XLG in my portfolio?

SMIG and XLG have a correlation of 0.35, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SMIG or XLG?

SMIG has higher volatility (3.65%) compared to XLG (3.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SMIG dropped -19.65% vs XLG's -52.39%.

Which ETF is better, SMIG or XLG?

On 3-year performance, XLG leads with 24.46% vs 13.09% for SMIG. On fees, XLG is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, XLG has been the lower-risk option at 3.19%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SMIG or XLG?

Over the 3-year period, XLG has performed better with a 24.46% return vs 13.09%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SMIG or XLG?

XLG is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for SMIG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SMIG or XLG?

SMIG has the higher dividend yield at 1.75%, compared with 0.60% for XLG.

What is the main difference between SMIG and XLG?

SMIG is categorized as Small Cap Value Equities, while XLG is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: Bahl & Gaynor and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for SMIG and 0.20% for XLG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 vs 0.99), 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.