SMTH vs VOO
ALPS Smith Core Plus Bond ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, SMTH or VOO?
High Yield Bond against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y and the full window.
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 | SMTH | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.59% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $3.0B | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.43% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 959 | 509 |
| YTD Return | -1.18% | +11.98%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.75% | +16.45%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +21.19% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.95% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.0%Best | 11.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -4.1%Best | -18.7% |
| $10,000 over 2.8 years | $11,236 | $17,430Best |
| Fund Family | ALPS Advisors | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | High Yield Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 5, 2023 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 6, 2023 to Sep 14, 2026 (2.8 years).
SMTH 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 2.8 years both funds cover.
SMTH vs VOO Performance
ALPS Smith Core Plus Bond ETF (SMTH) is an ETF from ALPS Advisors and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SMTH returned -0.75% while VOO returned +16.45%. Year to date, SMTH is down 1.18% versus a gain of 11.98% for VOO.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VOO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 11.9% compared with 4.0% for SMTH. 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 -4.1% for SMTH and -18.7% 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 0.40. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SMTH charges 0.59% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $59 vs $3 annually, a gap of $56 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SMTH currently yields 4.43% against 1.04% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 144 holdings in SMTH and 494 in VOO, totalling 34.9% and 99.5% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 144 positions we hold weights for in SMTH and 494 in VOO, against full books of 959 and 509.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SMTH 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, SMTH or VOO?
SMTH has an expense ratio of 0.59% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $56 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SMTH or VOO?
Over the past year SMTH returned -0.75% vs +16.45% for VOO, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SMTH or VOO?
VOO has been the more volatile fund at 11.9% annualized versus 4.0% for SMTH. Worst drawdown: SMTH -4.1% vs VOO -18.7%.
Should I hold both SMTH and VOO?
SMTH and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.40, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, SMTH or VOO?
SMTH yields 4.43% while VOO yields 1.04%, so SMTH currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than SMTH?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.