SMOG vs. VCLN

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about VanEck Low Carbon Energy ETF (SMOG) and Virtus Duff & Phelps Clean Energy ETF (VCLN).

SMOG and VCLN are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. SMOG is a passively managed fund by VanEck that tracks the performance of the MVIS Global Low Carbon Energy Index. It was launched on May 3, 2007. VCLN is an actively managed fund by Virtus Investment Partners. It was launched on Aug 3, 2021.

Performance

SMOG vs. VCLN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Low Carbon Energy ETF (SMOG) and Virtus Duff & Phelps Clean Energy ETF (VCLN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

SMOG vs. VCLN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
SMOG VanEck Low Carbon Energy ETF	7.05%	33.36%	-9.33%	1.42%	-29.92%	-0.43%
VCLN Virtus Duff & Phelps Clean Energy ETF	9.96%	55.75%	-6.69%	-17.54%	-7.87%	-5.00%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SMOG achieves a 7.05% return, which is significantly lower than VCLN's 9.96% return.

SMOG

• 1D: 4.10%
• 1M: -2.17%
• YTD: 7.05%
• 6M: 10.90%
• 1Y: 39.38%
• 3Y*: 6.20%
• 5Y*: -1.46%
• 10Y*: 11.23%

VCLN

• 1D: 4.26%
• 1M: -0.55%
• YTD: 9.96%
• 6M: 19.57%
• 1Y: 72.36%
• 3Y*: 9.48%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SMOG vs. VCLN - Expense Ratio Comparison

SMOG has a 0.61% expense ratio, which is higher than VCLN's 0.59% expense ratio.

SMOG

VanEck Low Carbon Energy ETF

VCLN

Virtus Duff & Phelps Clean Energy ETF

Return for Risk

SMOG vs. VCLN — Risk / Return Rank

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

SMOG

SMOG Risk / Return Rank: 86
SMOG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
SMOG Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
SMOG Omega Ratio Rank: 81
SMOG Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
SMOG Martin Ratio Rank: 90

VCLN

VCLN Risk / Return Rank: 96
VCLN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
VCLN Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
VCLN Omega Ratio Rank: 92
VCLN Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
VCLN Martin Ratio Rank: 97

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.

SMOG vs. VCLN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Low Carbon Energy ETF (SMOG) and Virtus Duff & Phelps Clean Energy ETF (VCLN). 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.

	SMOG	VCLN	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.69	2.44	-0.75
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.31	3.16	-0.85
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.40	-0.10
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.96	5.64	-2.68
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.47	20.86	-9.39
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SMOG vs. VCLN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SMOG Sharpe Ratio is 1.69, which is lower than the VCLN Sharpe Ratio of 2.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SMOG and VCLN, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SMOG	VCLN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.69	2.44	-0.75
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.06	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.44	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.06	0.11	-0.06

Correlation

The correlation between SMOG and VCLN is 0.80, 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

SMOG vs. VCLN - Dividend Comparison

SMOG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.47%, less than VCLN's 1.83% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SMOG VanEck Low Carbon Energy ETF	1.47%	1.57%	1.64%	1.58%	1.32%	0.44%	0.06%	0.00%	0.62%	1.25%	2.12%	0.56%
VCLN Virtus Duff & Phelps Clean Energy ETF	1.83%	2.01%	1.16%	1.14%	0.65%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

SMOG vs. VCLN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMOG drawdown since its inception was -84.39%, which is greater than VCLN's maximum drawdown of -45.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMOG and VCLN.

Drawdown Indicators

	SMOG	VCLN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-84.39%	-45.66%	-38.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.04%	-12.58%	-0.46%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-47.86%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-51.10%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-22.64%	-5.48%	-17.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-52.81%	-24.93%	-27.88%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.37%	3.40%	-0.03%

Volatility

SMOG vs. VCLN - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Low Carbon Energy ETF (SMOG) and Virtus Duff & Phelps Clean Energy ETF (VCLN) have volatilities of 10.07% and 9.99%, 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

	SMOG	VCLN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.07%	9.99%	+0.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.75%	21.33%	-5.58%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.40%	29.85%	-6.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.27%	27.35%	-2.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.66%	27.35%	-1.69%