ISRA vs SMOG
VanEck Israel ETF vs VanEck Low Carbon Energy ETF
Which is better, ISRA or SMOG?
Each has led over a different period.
ISRA has a lower expense ratio. ISRA led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, SMOG over the full window. ISRA is less concentrated, with 25.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 57.4%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | ISRA | SMOG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.59%Best | 0.64% |
| AUM | $155M | $130M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.31% | 1.52% |
| Holdings | 162 | 57 |
| YTD Return | +8.98%Best | +0.62% |
| 1Y Return | +19.67%Best | +3.81% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +30.36%Best | +10.50% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.96%Best | -2.29% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.6%Best | 23.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -45.0%Best | -51.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,999Best | $8,906 |
| Top 10 Weight | 25.4%Best | 57.4% |
| Fund Family | VanEck | VanEck |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Mid Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jun 25, 2013 | May 3, 2007 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 26, 2013 to Oct 14, 2026 (13.3 years).
ISRA vs SMOG growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 13.3 years both funds cover.
ISRA vs SMOG Performance
VanEck Israel ETF (ISRA) is an ETF from VanEck and VanEck Low Carbon Energy ETF (SMOG) is an ETF from VanEck. Over the past year ISRA returned +19.67% while SMOG returned +3.81%. Year to date, ISRA is up 8.98% versus a gain of 0.62% for SMOG.
Over three years, ISRA compounded at +30.36% per year against +10.50% for SMOG; over five years the annualized figures are +6.96% and -2.29% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, SMOG has the edge at +9.40% annualized vs +8.56%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SMOG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.9% compared with 17.6% for ISRA. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -45.0% for ISRA and -51.9% for SMOG. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.73. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ISRA charges 0.59% per year while SMOG charges 0.64%. On a $10,000 position that is $59 vs $64 annually, a gap of $5 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ISRA currently yields 1.31% against 1.52% for SMOG.
Holdings Overlap
2.4% of ISRA's money is in holdings SMOG also owns. 15.5% of SMOG's money is in holdings ISRA also owns.
SMOG and ISRA share little of their money.
5 positions in common, counted across the 181 positions we hold weights for in ISRA and 55 in SMOG, against full books of 162 and 57.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 16 positions for SMOG that do not appear in our book for ISRA (36.9% of the fund), and 2 for ISRA that do not appear in SMOG (0.4%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ISRA and SMOG you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, ISRA or SMOG?
ISRA has an expense ratio of 0.59% while SMOG charges 0.64%. ISRA is the cheaper option, by $5 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ISRA or SMOG?
Over the past year ISRA returned +19.67% vs +3.81% for SMOG, so ISRA leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), ISRA annualized +8.56% vs +9.40% for SMOG. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ISRA or SMOG?
SMOG has been the more volatile fund at 23.9% annualized versus 17.6% for ISRA. Worst drawdown: ISRA -45.0% vs SMOG -51.9%.
Should I hold both ISRA and SMOG?
ISRA and SMOG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.73, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between ISRA and SMOG?
15.5% of SMOG's money is in holdings ISRA also owns. 15.5% of SMOG's is in holdings ISRA also owns. They hold 5 positions in common, counted across the 181 positions we hold weights for in ISRA and 55 in SMOG.
Which pays a higher dividend, ISRA or SMOG?
ISRA yields 1.31% while SMOG yields 1.52%, so SMOG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SMOG better than ISRA?
ISRA has a lower expense ratio. ISRA led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, SMOG over the full window. ISRA is less concentrated, with 25.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 57.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.