SMOT vs. CPAI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SMOT (VanEck Morningstar SMID Moat ETF) and CPAI (Counterpoint Quantitative Equity ETF) are both Mid Cap Blend Equities funds. SMOT is passively managed, while CPAI is actively managed. Over the past year, SMOT returned 16.94% vs 45.47% for CPAI. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SMOT charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for CPAI.

Performance

SMOT vs. CPAI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Morningstar SMID Moat ETF (SMOT) and Counterpoint Quantitative Equity ETF (CPAI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SMOT achieves a 7.04% return, which is significantly lower than CPAI's 27.41% return.

SMOT

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: 4.42%
• YTD: 7.04%
• 6M: 7.50%
• 1Y: 16.94%
• 3Y*: 11.98%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

CPAI

• 1D: -1.84%
• 1M: 8.24%
• YTD: 27.41%
• 6M: 29.49%
• 1Y: 45.47%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SMOT vs. CPAI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
SMOT VanEck Morningstar SMID Moat ETF	7.04%	6.46%	10.71%	10.44%
CPAI Counterpoint Quantitative Equity ETF	27.41%	17.79%	28.37%	6.69%

Correlation

The correlation between SMOT and CPAI is 0.63, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 30, 2023	0.72

The correlation between SMOT and CPAI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.63 to 0.72 - a consistent structural relationship.

SMOT vs. CPAI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SMOT	CPAI
Technology	22.2%	45.4%
Healthcare	18.3%	16.0%
Consumer Cyclical	13.1%	4.2%
Industrials	12.0%	5.7%
Basic Materials	8.1%	3.3%
Consumer Defensive	7.8%	9.5%
Financial Services	6.0%	4.3%
Energy	4.7%	3.7%
Utilities	2.7%	-
Real Estate	2.6%	-
Communication Services	2.4%	7.9%

Return for Risk

SMOT vs. CPAI — Risk / Return Rank

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

SMOT

SMOT Risk / Return Rank: 35
SMOT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
SMOT Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
SMOT Omega Ratio Rank: 31
SMOT Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
SMOT Martin Ratio Rank: 38

CPAI

CPAI Risk / Return Rank: 77
CPAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
CPAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
CPAI Omega Ratio Rank: 71
CPAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
CPAI Martin Ratio Rank: 81

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.

SMOT vs. CPAI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Morningstar SMID Moat ETF (SMOT) and Counterpoint Quantitative Equity ETF (CPAI). 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.

	SMOT	CPAI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.21	2.52	-1.32
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.86	3.33	-1.47
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.43	-0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.91	4.36	-2.45
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.12	15.90	-9.79
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SMOT vs. CPAI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SMOT Sharpe Ratio is 1.21, which is lower than the CPAI Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SMOT and CPAI, 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

	SMOT	CPAI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.21	2.52	-1.32
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.71	1.78	-1.07

Drawdowns

SMOT vs. CPAI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMOT drawdown since its inception was -23.36%, which is greater than CPAI's maximum drawdown of -21.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMOT and CPAI.

Drawdown Indicators

	SMOT	CPAI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.36%	-21.46%	-1.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.91%	-10.48%	+1.57%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.36%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.21%	-1.84%	+1.63%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.81%	-2.97%	-1.84%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.78%	2.87%	-0.09%

Volatility

SMOT vs. CPAI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VanEck Morningstar SMID Moat ETF (SMOT) is 3.03%, while Counterpoint Quantitative Equity ETF (CPAI) has a volatility of 5.35%. This indicates that SMOT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CPAI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SMOT	CPAI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.03%	5.35%	-2.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.47%	14.50%	-5.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.14%	18.14%	-4.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.42%	19.19%	-0.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.42%	19.19%	-0.77%

SMOT vs. CPAI - Expense Ratio Comparison

SMOT has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is lower than CPAI's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

SMOT vs. CPAI - Dividend Comparison

SMOT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.28%, more than CPAI's 0.70% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
CPAI Counterpoint Quantitative Equity ETF	0.70%	0.89%	0.41%	0.06%	0.00%
SMOT VanEck Morningstar SMID Moat ETF	1.28%	1.37%	1.18%	0.65%	0.24%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SMOT and CPAI in my portfolio?

SMOT and CPAI have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SMOT or CPAI?

CPAI has higher volatility (5.35%) compared to SMOT (3.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SMOT dropped -23.36% vs CPAI's -21.46%.

Which ETF is better, SMOT or CPAI?

On 1-year performance, CPAI leads with 45.47% vs 16.94% for SMOT. On fees, SMOT is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, SMOT has been the lower-risk option at 3.03%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SMOT or CPAI?

Over the 1-year period, CPAI has performed better with a 45.47% return vs 16.94%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SMOT or CPAI?

SMOT is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for CPAI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SMOT or CPAI?

SMOT has the higher dividend yield at 1.28%, compared with 0.70% for CPAI.

What is the main difference between SMOT and CPAI?

They also come from different issuers: VanEck and Counterpoint Funds. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for SMOT and 0.75% for CPAI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CPAI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 1.21), 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.