SMMD vs VOO
iShares Russell 2500 ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, SMMD or VOO?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. VOO is less concentrated, with 37.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 43.9%.
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 | SMMD | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $4.0B | $1.0T |
| Dividend Yield | 1.17% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 1,030 | 506 |
| YTD Return | +11.49% | +13.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.20% | +17.55%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.50% | +22.46%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.33% | +13.28%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.4% | 15.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -41.1% | -34.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,592 | $18,654Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 43.9% | 37.9%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 6, 2017 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 7, 2017 to Oct 14, 2026 (9.3 years).
SMMD vs VOO 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 9.3 years both funds cover.
SMMD vs VOO Performance
iShares Russell 2500 ETF (SMMD) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SMMD returned +14.20% while VOO returned +17.55%. Year to date, SMMD is up 11.49% versus a gain of 13.57% for VOO.
Over three years, SMMD compounded at +17.50% per year against +22.46% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +6.33% and +13.28% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +14.28% annualized vs +9.35%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SMMD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.4% compared with 15.9% for VOO. 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 -41.1% for SMMD and -34.3% for VOO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.90. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SMMD charges 0.15% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $3 annually, a gap of $12 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SMMD currently yields 1.17% against 1.06% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
10.6% of SMMD's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 1.2% of VOO's money is in holdings SMMD also owns.
SMMD and VOO share little of their money.
65 positions in common, counted across the 514 positions we hold weights for in SMMD and 504 in VOO, against full books of 1,030 and 506.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 434 positions for VOO that do not appear in our book for SMMD (98.5% of the fund), and 433 for SMMD that do not appear in VOO (87.7%).
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 SMMD | Weight in VOO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| FFIVF5 Networks Inc. | 0.35% | 0.03% | 0.32% |
| VTRSViatris | 0.29% | 0.03% | 0.26% |
| PKGPackaging Corp. Of America | 0.28% | 0.03% | 0.25% |
| NINisource Inc. | 0.27% | 0.03% | 0.24% |
| SNASnap-On Inc. | 0.26% | 0.03% | 0.23% |
| CHRWCh Robinson Worldwide Inc. | 0.25% | 0.03% | 0.22% |
| ZBRAZebra Technologies Corp | 0.25% | 0.03% | 0.22% |
| NDSNNordson Corp | 0.24% | 0.03% | 0.21% |
| RVTYRevvity Inc | 0.23% | 0.02% | 0.21% |
| APAApa Corp | 0.22% | 0.02% | 0.20% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SMMD and VOO 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, SMMD or VOO?
SMMD has an expense ratio of 0.15% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $12 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SMMD or VOO?
Over the past year SMMD returned +14.20% vs +17.55% for VOO, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), SMMD annualized +9.35% vs +14.28% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SMMD or VOO?
SMMD has been the more volatile fund at 20.4% annualized versus 15.9% for VOO. Worst drawdown: SMMD -41.1% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both SMMD and VOO?
SMMD and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.90, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between SMMD and VOO?
10.6% of SMMD's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 1.2% of VOO's is in holdings SMMD also owns. They hold 65 positions in common, counted across the 514 positions we hold weights for in SMMD and 504 in VOO.
Which pays a higher dividend, SMMD or VOO?
SMMD yields 1.17% while VOO yields 1.06%, so SMMD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than SMMD?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. VOO is less concentrated, with 37.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 43.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.