VanEck Low Carbon Energy ETF (SMOG) Performance
SMOG total return
Distributions reinvested · as of Oct 23, 2026- YTD
- −0.2% since Dec 31, 2025
- 1 year
- +0.2% total return
- 5 years
- −3.4% a year
- 10 years
- +10.6% a year
- Since first price
- +1.3% a year since 2007
SMOG trailing returns vs SPY, QQQ, AGG
| Period | SMOG total return | Price only | S&P 500 (SPY) | Nasdaq-100 (QQQ) | U.S. bonds (AGG) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | −4.6% | −4.6% | −1.0% | −5.0% | +0.9% |
| 3 months | −4.7% | −4.7% | +3.2% | +1.9% | −0.4% |
| 6 months | −14.2% | −14.2% | +7.8% | +8.4% | −1.5% |
| YTD | −0.2% | −0.2% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 1 year | +0.2% | −1.3% | +14.4% | +15.9% | −1.1% |
| 3 years | +42.6%+12.6%/yr | +36.0% | +87.4%+23.3%/yr | +101.4%+26.3%/yr | +16.6%+5.2%/yr |
| 5 years | −16.0%−3.4%/yr | −21.3% | +79.3%+12.4%/yr | +94.0%+14.2%/yr | −0.8%−0.2%/yr |
| 10 years | +173.3%+10.6%/yr | +146.0% | +315.9%+15.3%/yr | +538.9%+20.4%/yr | +14.0%+1.3%/yr |
| 15 years | +310.3%+9.9%/yr | +245.1% | +696.0%+14.8%/yr | +1,299.3%+19.2%/yr | +32.2%+1.9%/yr |
| Since inceptionMay 9, 2007 | +29.8%+1.3%/yr | +7.4% | — | — | — |
Total return from adjusted closes (distributions reinvested, before tax). Periods of 3 years or more are also shown annualized. Price only excludes distributions.
Growth of $10,000: SMOG vs SPY
From May 9, 2007: SMOG grew to $12,980, SPY to $71,783.
Year-end values with distributions reinvested, no taxes or trading costs. Start: first common trading day of both funds.
SMOG returns by calendar year
9 of 18 full years positive. Best 2020 (+118.4%), worst 2008 (−60.8%). 2026 is year to date.
SMOG annual returns table
| Year | SMOG | Largest drop | SPY | QQQ | AGG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026YTD | −0.2% | −17.4% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 2025 | +33.3% | −15.1% | +17.7% | +20.8% | +7.2% |
| 2024 | −9.3% | −15.5% | +24.9% | +25.6% | +1.3% |
| 2023 | +1.4% | −27.0% | +26.2% | +54.9% | +5.7% |
| 2022 | −29.9% | −36.6% | −18.2% | −32.6% | −13.0% |
| 2021 | −2.8% | −29.1% | +28.7% | +27.4% | −1.8% |
| 2020 | +118.4% | −42.4% | +18.3% | +48.6% | +7.5% |
| 2019 | +38.9% | −11.1% | +31.2% | +39.0% | +8.5% |
| 2018 | −10.2% | −19.1% | −4.6% | −0.1% | +0.1% |
| 2017 | +22.7% | −7.6% | +21.7% | +32.7% | +3.6% |
| 2016 | −5.9% | −17.5% | +12.0% | +7.1% | +2.4% |
| 2015 | +2.1% | −26.1% | +1.2% | +9.4% | +0.5% |
| 2014 | −3.3% | −23.1% | +13.5% | +19.2% | +6.0% |
| 2013 | +70.7% | −10.5% | +32.3% | +36.6% | −2.0% |
| 2012 | +3.1% | −29.7% | +16.0% | +18.1% | +3.8% |
| 2011 | −43.7% | −53.3% | +1.9% | +3.4% | +7.7% |
| 2010 | −19.2% | −32.5% | +15.1% | +19.9% | +6.4% |
| 2009 | +7.1% | −41.3% | +26.4% | +54.7% | +3.0% |
| 2008 | −60.8% | −75.0% | −36.8% | −41.7% | +7.9% |
Largest drop = deepest fall from a high within that calendar year.
Calendar-year return vs largest drop within the year
Most years include a sizable fall at some point even when the year ends higher.
SMOG largest drawdowns
Now 27.9% below the high| Peak | Decline | Bottom | Recovered | Fall | Underwater |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 26, 2007 | −84.4% | Jul 24, 2012 | Dec 30, 2020 | 4.6 years | 13.0 years |
| Jan 22, 2021 | −51.1% | Apr 8, 2025 | not yet | 4.2 years | 5.7 years so far |
| Nov 8, 2007 | −16.5% | Nov 21, 2007 | Dec 24, 2007 | 13 days | 46 days |
| Jul 13, 2007 | −15.6% | Aug 17, 2007 | Sep 24, 2007 | 35 days | 2 months |
Declines from a closing high (distributions reinvested) of 10% or more. Underwater = time from the peak until the old high was regained.
SMOG risk statistics
| Statistic | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | Since 2007 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annualized return | +10.1% | −0.9% | +10.7% | +1.3% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.1% | 24.7% | 25.2% | 28.5% |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.35 | -0.06 | 0.44 | 0.15 |
| Sortino ratio | 0.52 | -0.09 | 0.70 | 0.20 |
| Best month | +11.7% | +18.1% | +27.1% | +27.1% |
| Worst month | −14.3% | −14.3% | −19.4% | −39.5% |
| Best 12 months | +53.3% | +53.3% | +160.4% | +160.4% |
| Worst 12 months | −9.3% | −36.3% | −36.3% | −62.7% |
| Positive months | 58% | 52% | 58% | 56% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | 0.89 | 1.06 | 1.17 | — |
| Correlation with S&P 500 | 0.52 | 0.67 | 0.71 | — |
From monthly total returns. Sharpe and Sortino use 1–3 month T-bills (BIL) as the risk-free rate, so they need history from 2007 on.
SMOG rolling returns
| Holding period | Periods | Worst | Median | Best | Positive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year | 222 | −62.7% | +2.2% | +160.4% | 53% |
| 3-year (a year) | 198 | −33.0% | +3.5% | +48.2% | 59% |
| 5-year (a year) | 174 | −28.0% | +5.8% | +30.2% | 68% |
| 10-year (a year) | 114 | −9.2% | +7.3% | +18.2% | 78% |
Every holding period starting at a month-end since 2007. Returns for 3 years and longer are annualized.
SMOG performance overview
VanEck Low Carbon Energy ETF (SMOG) returned +0.2% over the past year and +10.6% a year over ten years, with distributions reinvested. Since its first recorded price in 2007 it has returned +1.3% a year, turning $10,000 into about $12,980. Over the same year S&P 500 (SPY) returned +14.4%.
The deepest decline was −84.4%, from Dec 26, 2007 to Jul 24, 2012, and it took 8.4 years to get back to the old high. SMOG finished 9 of its 18 full calendar years with a gain; the best year was 2020 (+118.4%) and the worst 2008 (−60.8%). Volatility has been 28.5% a year.
Related: SMOG chart, SMOG holdings, SMOG dividends. See the SMOG overview for the latest quote and fund facts.
SMOG performance FAQ
What is the SMOG return over the past year?
SMOG returned +0.2% over the 12 months to October 23, 2026, including reinvested distributions. On price alone it fell 1.3%.
What is the average annual return of SMOG?
SMOG has returned −3.4% a year over 5 years, +10.6% a year over 10 years, +1.3% a year since May 9, 2007 (total return, distributions reinvested).
How much would $10,000 invested in SMOG be worth?
$10,000 invested in SMOG at its first recorded close on May 9, 2007 would be worth about $12,980 on October 23, 2026 with distributions reinvested.
What was the worst year for SMOG?
The worst calendar year was 2008, with a total return of −60.8%. The best was 2020 at +118.4%.
What is the biggest drawdown of SMOG?
The largest peak-to-trough decline was −84.4% between December 26, 2007 and July 24, 2012. It recovered to the old high on December 30, 2020, 8.4 years after the bottom.
How volatile is SMOG?
Over the past 3 years SMOG had an annualized volatility of 21.1% and a Sharpe ratio of 0.35 (excess return over 1–3 month T-bills per unit of risk).