SYZ vs. SMDV

Last updated Apr 3, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Lazard US Systematic Small Cap Equity ETF (SYZ) and ProShares Russell 2000 Dividend Growers ETF (SMDV).

SYZ and SMDV are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. SYZ is an actively managed fund by Lazard. It was launched on Oct 29, 2021. SMDV is a passively managed fund by ProShares that tracks the performance of the Russell 2000 Dividend Growth Index. It was launched on Feb 5, 2015.

Performance

SYZ vs. SMDV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Lazard US Systematic Small Cap Equity ETF (SYZ) and ProShares Russell 2000 Dividend Growers ETF (SMDV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

SYZ vs. SMDV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
SYZ Lazard US Systematic Small Cap Equity ETF	4.69%	0.89%
SMDV ProShares Russell 2000 Dividend Growers ETF	5.65%	-0.63%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SYZ achieves a 4.69% return, which is significantly lower than SMDV's 5.65% return.

SYZ

• 1D: 0.29%
• 1M: -2.59%
• YTD: 4.69%
• 6M: 5.95%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SMDV

• 1D: 0.23%
• 1M: -2.85%
• YTD: 5.65%
• 6M: 6.12%
• 1Y: 7.66%
• 3Y*: 7.46%
• 5Y*: 3.79%
• 10Y*: 7.32%

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

SYZ vs. SMDV - Expense Ratio Comparison

SYZ has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than SMDV's 0.40% expense ratio.

SYZ

Lazard US Systematic Small Cap Equity ETF

SMDV

ProShares Russell 2000 Dividend Growers ETF

Return for Risk

SYZ vs. SMDV — Risk / Return Rank

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

SMDV

SMDV Risk / Return Rank: 23
SMDV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
SMDV Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
SMDV Omega Ratio Rank: 21
SMDV Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
SMDV Martin Ratio Rank: 24

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.

SYZ vs. SMDV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Lazard US Systematic Small Cap Equity ETF (SYZ) and ProShares Russell 2000 Dividend Growers ETF (SMDV). 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SYZ	SMDV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	0.42	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.20	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.35	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.62	0.37	+0.25

Correlation

The correlation between SYZ and SMDV is 0.72, 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

SYZ vs. SMDV - Dividend Comparison

SYZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.16%, less than SMDV's 2.49% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SYZ Lazard US Systematic Small Cap Equity ETF	0.16%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SMDV ProShares Russell 2000 Dividend Growers ETF	2.49%	2.67%	2.68%	2.69%	2.51%	2.02%	2.13%	2.03%	1.97%	1.84%	1.35%	1.81%

Drawdowns

SYZ vs. SMDV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SYZ drawdown since its inception was -8.00%, smaller than the maximum SMDV drawdown of -34.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SYZ and SMDV.

Drawdown Indicators

	SYZ	SMDV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.00%	-34.12%	+26.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-9.79%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-21.23%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-34.12%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.12%	-5.58%	+1.46%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.46%	-5.99%	+3.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	3.77%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	SYZ	SMDV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	4.33%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	10.67%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.86%	18.25%	-1.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.86%	18.71%	-1.85%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.86%	20.71%	-3.85%