SMOG vs TAN
VanEck Low Carbon Energy ETF vs Invesco Solar ETF
Which is better, SMOG or TAN?
SMOG has been ahead.
SMOG has a lower expense ratio. SMOG led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SMOG is less concentrated, with 57.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 59.9%.
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 | SMOG | TAN |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.64%Best | 0.70% |
| AUM | $130M | $888M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.52% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 57 | 91 |
| YTD Return | +0.55%Best | -17.15% |
| 1Y Return | +2.32%Best | -12.63% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.46%Best | -4.40% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -2.54%Best | -13.26% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 28.1%Best | 43.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -82.9%Best | -95.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $8,793Best | $4,910 |
| Top 10 Weight | 57.4%Best | 59.9% |
| Fund Family | VanEck | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Mid Cap Growth |
| Inception | May 3, 2007 | Apr 15, 2008 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 15, 2008 to Oct 15, 2026 (18.5 years).
SMOG vs TAN 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 18.5 years both funds cover.
SMOG vs TAN Performance
VanEck Low Carbon Energy ETF (SMOG) is an ETF from VanEck and Invesco Solar ETF (TAN) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year SMOG returned +2.32% while TAN returned -12.63%. Year to date, SMOG is up 0.55% versus a loss of 17.15% for TAN.
Over three years, SMOG compounded at +10.46% per year against -4.40% for TAN; over five years the annualized figures are -2.54% and -13.26% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, SMOG has the edge at +0.08% annualized vs -7.82%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
TAN has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 43.5% compared with 28.1% for SMOG. 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 -82.9% for SMOG and -95.3% for TAN. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SMOG charges 0.64% per year while TAN charges 0.70%. On a $10,000 position that is $64 vs $70 annually, a gap of $6 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SMOG currently yields 1.52% against 0.00% for TAN.
Holdings Overlap
7.1% of SMOG's money is in holdings TAN also owns. 45.7% of TAN's money is in holdings SMOG also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
7 positions in common, counted across the 55 positions we hold weights for in SMOG and 36 in TAN, against full books of 57 and 91.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 8 positions for TAN that do not appear in our book for SMOG (16.4% of the fund), and 12 for SMOG that do not appear in TAN (32.1%).
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 SMOG | Weight in TAN | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NXTNextpower Inc Class A Common Stock | 1.49% | 10.83% | 9.34% |
| FSLRFirst Solar, Inc | 2.69% | 8.89% | 6.20% |
| ENLT:ILEnlight Renewable Energy Ltd Ordinary Shares | 1.16% | 7.61% | 6.45% |
| ENPHEnphase Energy Inc Common Stock | 0.64% | 7.22% | 6.58% |
| HASIHa Sustainable Infrastructure Capital Inc | 0.56% | 4.87% | 4.31% |
| RUNSunrun Inc | 0.26% | 3.72% | 3.46% |
| 0968:HKXinyi Solar Holdings Ltd | 0.29% | 2.60% | 2.31% |
45.7% of TAN is already inside SMOG.
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, SMOG or TAN?
SMOG has an expense ratio of 0.64% while TAN charges 0.70%. SMOG is the cheaper option, by $6 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SMOG or TAN?
Over the past year SMOG returned +2.32% vs -12.63% for TAN, so SMOG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), SMOG annualized +0.08% vs -7.82% for TAN. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SMOG or TAN?
TAN has been the more volatile fund at 43.5% annualized versus 28.1% for SMOG. Worst drawdown: SMOG -82.9% vs TAN -95.3%.
Should I hold both SMOG and TAN?
SMOG and TAN have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, 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 SMOG and TAN?
45.7% of TAN's money is in holdings SMOG also owns. 45.7% of TAN's is in holdings SMOG also owns. They hold 7 positions in common, counted across the 55 positions we hold weights for in SMOG and 36 in TAN.
Which pays a higher dividend, SMOG or TAN?
SMOG yields 1.52% while TAN yields 0.00%, so SMOG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is TAN better than SMOG?
SMOG has a lower expense ratio. SMOG led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SMOG is less concentrated, with 57.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 59.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.