SMIZ vs VFMF
Zacks Small/Mid Cap ETF vs Vanguard US Multifactor ETF
Which is better, SMIZ or VFMF?
VFMF has been ahead.
VFMF has a lower expense ratio. VFMF led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. VFMF is less concentrated, with 9.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 11.7%.
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 | SMIZ | VFMF |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.55% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $280M | $1.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.56% | 1.44% |
| Holdings | 402 | 655 |
| YTD Return | +9.29% | +20.44%Best |
| 1Y Return | +10.75% | +27.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.63% | +22.35%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +13.91% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.2% | 14.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -25.0% | -20.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 3 years | $16,949 | $18,631Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 11.7% | 9.2%Best |
| Fund Family | Zacks | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Mid Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 3, 2023 | Feb 13, 2018 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 3, 2023 to Oct 14, 2026 (3 years).
SMIZ vs VFMF 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 3 years both funds cover.
SMIZ vs VFMF Performance
Zacks Small/Mid Cap ETF (SMIZ) is an ETF from Zacks and Vanguard US Multifactor ETF (VFMF) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SMIZ returned +10.75% while VFMF returned +27.58%. Year to date, SMIZ is up 9.29% versus a gain of 20.44% for VFMF.
Over three years, SMIZ compounded at +18.63% per year against +22.35% for VFMF.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SMIZ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.2% compared with 14.2% for VFMF. 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 -25.0% for SMIZ and -20.6% for VFMF. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SMIZ charges 0.55% per year while VFMF charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $55 vs $18 annually, a gap of $37 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SMIZ currently yields 0.56% against 1.44% for VFMF.
Holdings Overlap
42.4% of SMIZ's money is in holdings VFMF also owns. 13.3% of VFMF's money is in holdings SMIZ also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
78 positions in common, counted across the 199 positions we hold weights for in SMIZ and 654 in VFMF, against full books of 402 and 655.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 549 positions for VFMF that do not appear in our book for SMIZ (83.9% of the fund), and 104 for SMIZ that do not appear in VFMF (47.8%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SMIZ | Weight in VFMF | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| EMEEmcor Group Inc | 1.59% | 0.10% | 1.49% |
| VLOValero Energy | 0.49% | 1.03% | 0.54% |
| ANETArista Networks Inc. | 1.16% | 0.26% | 0.90% |
| AMGAffiliated Managers Group Inc. | 1.07% | 0.22% | 0.85% |
| MCKMckesson Corp. | 0.74% | 0.53% | 0.21% |
| PSXPhillips 66 | 0.88% | 0.38% | 0.50% |
| FIXComfort Systems USA Inc. | 1.11% | 0.13% | 0.98% |
| ARWArrow Electronics Inc. | 0.99% | 0.24% | 0.75% |
| INSWInternational Seaways, Inc. | 1.08% | 0.14% | 0.94% |
| ALNTAllient Inc | 1.15% | 0.04% | 1.11% |
42.4% of SMIZ is already inside VFMF.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, SMIZ or VFMF?
SMIZ has an expense ratio of 0.55% while VFMF charges 0.18%. VFMF is the cheaper option, by $37 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SMIZ or VFMF?
Over the past year SMIZ returned +10.75% vs +27.58% for VFMF, so VFMF leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SMIZ or VFMF?
SMIZ has been the more volatile fund at 17.2% annualized versus 14.2% for VFMF. Worst drawdown: SMIZ -25.0% vs VFMF -20.6%.
Should I hold both SMIZ and VFMF?
SMIZ and VFMF have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, 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 SMIZ and VFMF?
42.4% of SMIZ's money is in holdings VFMF also owns. 13.3% of VFMF's is in holdings SMIZ also owns. They hold 78 positions in common, counted across the 199 positions we hold weights for in SMIZ and 654 in VFMF.
Which pays a higher dividend, SMIZ or VFMF?
SMIZ yields 0.56% while VFMF yields 1.44%, so VFMF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VFMF better than SMIZ?
VFMF has a lower expense ratio. VFMF led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. VFMF is less concentrated, with 9.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 11.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.