SMOG vs. IVV

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

SMOG (VanEck Low Carbon Energy ETF) and IVV (iShares Core S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SMOG is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the MVIS Global Low Carbon Energy Index, while IVV is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SMOG returned 11.20%/yr vs 15.11%/yr for IVV. Their 0.71 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. SMOG charges 0.61%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for IVV.

Performance

SMOG vs. IVV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Low Carbon Energy ETF (SMOG) and iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SMOG achieves a 3.88% return, which is significantly lower than IVV's 10.13% return. Over the past 10 years, SMOG has underperformed IVV with an annualized return of 11.20%, while IVV has yielded a comparatively higher 15.11% annualized return.

SMOG

• 1D: -0.65%
• 1M: -5.95%
• 6M: -2.63%
• YTD: 3.88%
• 1Y: 21.84%
• 3Y*: 3.43%
• 5Y*: -1.82%
• 10Y*: 11.20%
• ALL TIME*: 1.64%

IVV

• 1D: 0.69%
• 1M: 0.25%
• 6M: 8.53%
• YTD: 10.13%
• 1Y: 21.55%
• 3Y*: 19.40%
• 5Y*: 12.82%
• 10Y*: 15.11%
• ALL TIME*: 8.45%

*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)
IVV iShares Core S&P 500 ETF	$3.36B	$3.31B	$5.91B
SMOG VanEck Low Carbon Energy ETF	$157.81K	$358.46K	$379.36K

SMOG vs. IVV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SMOG VanEck Low Carbon Energy ETF	3.88%	33.36%	-9.33%	1.42%	-29.92%	-2.75%	118.38%	38.86%	-10.18%	22.69%
IVV iShares Core S&P 500 ETF	10.13%	17.85%	24.93%	26.31%	-18.16%	28.76%	18.40%	31.07%	-4.49%	21.75%

Correlation

The correlation between SMOG and IVV is 0.72, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.62
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.68
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.68
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 9, 2007	0.71

The correlation between SMOG and IVV shifts across timeframes, from 0.62 (3 years) to 0.72 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SMOG vs. IVV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SMOG	IVV
Utilities	39.3%	2.6%
Industrials	25.5%	7.9%
Consumer Cyclical	21.8%	8.9%
Technology	5.9%	37.2%
Basic Materials	5.3%	1.8%
Energy	1.4%	3.3%
Financial Services	0.6%	12.5%
Communication Services	-	9.6%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.8%
Healthcare	-	9.4%
Real Estate	-	1.9%

Return for Risk

SMOG vs. IVV — Risk / Return Rank

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

SMOG

SMOG Risk / Return Rank: 38
SMOG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
SMOG Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
SMOG Omega Ratio Rank: 37
SMOG Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
SMOG Martin Ratio Rank: 40

IVV

IVV Risk / Return Rank: 67
IVV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
IVV Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
IVV Omega Ratio Rank: 65
IVV Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
IVV Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

SMOG vs. IVV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Low Carbon Energy ETF (SMOG) and iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV). 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.

	SMOG	IVV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.95	1.53	-0.57
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.40	2.12	-0.72
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.27	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.27	2.21	-0.95
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.26	9.43	-5.17

SMOG vs. IVV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SMOG Sharpe Ratio is 0.95, which is lower than the IVV Sharpe Ratio of 1.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SMOG and IVV, 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

SMOG vs. IVV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMOG drawdown since its inception was -84.39%, which is greater than IVV's maximum drawdown of -55.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMOG and IVV.

Drawdown Indicators

	SMOG	IVV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-84.39%	-55.25%	-29.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.94%	-8.89%	-8.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.88%	-18.75%	-6.13%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-47.86%	-24.53%	-23.33%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-51.10%	-33.90%	-17.20%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-24.93%	-1.41%	-23.52%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-52.20%	-10.72%	-41.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.03%	2.09%	+2.94%

Volatility

SMOG vs. IVV - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Low Carbon Energy ETF (SMOG) has a higher volatility of 7.38% compared to iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) at 3.52%. This indicates that SMOG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IVV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SMOG	IVV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.38%	3.52%	+3.86%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.49%	10.18%	+8.31%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.55%	12.89%	+9.66%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.44%	17.01%	+8.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.77%	18.06%	+7.71%

SMOG vs. IVV - Expense Ratio Comparison

SMOG has a 0.61% expense ratio, which is higher than IVV's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

SMOG vs. IVV - Dividend Comparison

SMOG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.51%, more than IVV's 1.09% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IVV iShares Core S&P 500 ETF	1.09%	1.17%	1.30%	1.44%	1.66%	1.20%	1.57%	1.85%	2.21%	1.75%	2.01%	2.27%
SMOG VanEck Low Carbon Energy ETF	1.51%	1.57%	1.64%	1.58%	1.32%	0.44%	0.06%	0.00%	0.62%	1.25%	2.12%	0.56%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SMOG and IVV in my portfolio?

SMOG and IVV have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SMOG or IVV?

SMOG has higher volatility (7.38%) compared to IVV (3.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SMOG dropped -84.39% vs IVV's -55.25%.

Which ETF is better, SMOG or IVV?

On 10-year performance, IVV leads with 15.11% vs 11.20% for SMOG. On fees, IVV is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, IVV has been the lower-risk option at 3.52%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SMOG or IVV?

Over the 10-year period, IVV has performed better with a 15.11% return vs 11.20%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SMOG or IVV?

IVV is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.61% for SMOG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SMOG or IVV?

SMOG has the higher dividend yield at 1.51%, compared with 1.09% for IVV.

What is the main difference between SMOG and IVV?

SMOG is categorized as Alternative Energy Equities, while IVV is S&P 500. SMOG tracks MVIS Global Low Carbon Energy Index, while IVV tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.61% for SMOG and 0.03% for IVV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IVV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.53 vs 0.95), 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.