VALQ vs. SMCF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VALQ (American Century STOXX U.S. Quality Value ETF) and SMCF (Themes US Small Cap Cash Flow Champions ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VALQ is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the iSTOXX American Century USA Quality Value Index, while SMCF is a Small Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Solactive US Small Cap Cash Flow Champions Index - Benchmark TR Gross. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, VALQ returned 16.17% vs 32.87% for SMCF. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.29% expense ratio.

Performance

VALQ vs. SMCF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Century STOXX U.S. Quality Value ETF (VALQ) and Themes US Small Cap Cash Flow Champions ETF (SMCF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VALQ achieves a 5.49% return, which is significantly lower than SMCF's 13.75% return.

VALQ

• 1D: -0.38%
• 1M: 5.64%
• YTD: 5.49%
• 6M: 6.17%
• 1Y: 16.17%
• 3Y*: 15.35%
• 5Y*: 8.69%
• 10Y*: —

SMCF

• 1D: -1.14%
• 1M: -1.09%
• YTD: 13.75%
• 6M: 13.63%
• 1Y: 32.87%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VALQ vs. SMCF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
VALQ American Century STOXX U.S. Quality Value ETF	5.49%	10.58%	16.71%	1.39%
SMCF Themes US Small Cap Cash Flow Champions ETF	13.75%	9.56%	16.30%	4.47%

Correlation

The correlation between VALQ and SMCF is 0.75, 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	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 14, 2023	0.76

The correlation between VALQ and SMCF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

VALQ vs. SMCF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VALQ	SMCF
Technology	27.0%	11.0%
Healthcare	16.6%	4.4%
Consumer Defensive	16.3%	1.4%
Industrials	12.0%	9.8%
Consumer Cyclical	9.5%	2.6%
Communication Services	7.2%	1.5%
Energy	5.3%	18.2%
Financial Services	3.7%	50.0%
Basic Materials	1.6%	0.6%
Real Estate	0.8%	0.5%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

VALQ vs. SMCF — Risk / Return Rank

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

VALQ

VALQ Risk / Return Rank: 41
VALQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
VALQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
VALQ Omega Ratio Rank: 39
VALQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
VALQ Martin Ratio Rank: 38

SMCF

SMCF Risk / Return Rank: 67
SMCF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
SMCF Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
SMCF Omega Ratio Rank: 59
SMCF Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
SMCF Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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.

VALQ vs. SMCF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Century STOXX U.S. Quality Value ETF (VALQ) and Themes US Small Cap Cash Flow Champions ETF (SMCF). 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.

	VALQ	SMCF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.46	2.05	-0.59
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.17	2.95	-0.79
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.36	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.07	4.63	-2.56
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.87	12.46	-6.59
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VALQ vs. SMCF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VALQ Sharpe Ratio is 1.46, which is comparable to the SMCF Sharpe Ratio of 2.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VALQ and SMCF, 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

	VALQ	SMCF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.46	2.05	-0.59
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.91	-0.40

Drawdowns

VALQ vs. SMCF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VALQ drawdown since its inception was -38.19%, which is greater than SMCF's maximum drawdown of -28.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VALQ and SMCF.

Drawdown Indicators

	VALQ	SMCF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.19%	-28.48%	-9.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.85%	-7.13%	-0.72%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.62%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.19%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.38%	-2.44%	+2.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.95%	-5.29%	+0.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.76%	2.65%	+0.11%

Volatility

VALQ vs. SMCF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Century STOXX U.S. Quality Value ETF (VALQ) is 2.45%, while Themes US Small Cap Cash Flow Champions ETF (SMCF) has a volatility of 3.55%. This indicates that VALQ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SMCF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VALQ	SMCF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.45%	3.55%	-1.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.97%	10.00%	-2.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.13%	16.18%	-5.05%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.48%	20.31%	-5.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.66%	20.31%	-2.65%

VALQ vs. SMCF - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both VALQ and SMCF have an expense ratio of 0.29%.

Dividends

VALQ vs. SMCF - Dividend Comparison

VALQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.73%, less than SMCF's 3.44% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
SMCF Themes US Small Cap Cash Flow Champions ETF	3.44%	3.91%	0.61%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VALQ American Century STOXX U.S. Quality Value ETF	1.73%	1.88%	1.58%	1.76%	2.71%	1.58%	2.08%	2.31%	2.35%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VALQ and SMCF in my portfolio?

VALQ and SMCF have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VALQ or SMCF?

SMCF has higher volatility (3.55%) compared to VALQ (2.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VALQ dropped -38.19% vs SMCF's -28.48%.

Which ETF is better, VALQ or SMCF?

On 1-year performance, SMCF leads with 32.87% vs 16.17% for VALQ. Both ETFs have the same 0.29% expense ratio. On volatility, VALQ has been the lower-risk option at 2.45%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VALQ or SMCF?

Over the 1-year period, SMCF has performed better with a 32.87% return vs 16.17%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VALQ or SMCF?

VALQ and SMCF have the same expense ratio: 0.29% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VALQ or SMCF?

SMCF has the higher dividend yield at 3.44%, compared with 1.73% for VALQ.

What is the main difference between VALQ and SMCF?

VALQ is categorized as Large Cap Value Equities, while SMCF is Small Cap Value Equities. VALQ tracks iSTOXX American Century USA Quality Value Index, while SMCF tracks Solactive US Small Cap Cash Flow Champions Index - Benchmark TR Gross. They also come from different issuers: American Century and Themes.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMCF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.05 vs 1.46), 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.