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Hamilton U.S. Equity Yield Maximizer ETF (SMAX) and Vanguard S&P 500 Index ETF (VFV) offer distinct profiles for Canadian ETF investors. A direct comparison shows that SMAX focuses its top 3 sector exposures on Technology, Finance, and Healthcare, while VFV leans towards Technology, Finance, and Consumer Non-Cyclicals. When evaluating costs, SMAX features a management fee (MER) of 0.65%, compared to 0.08% for VFV. Performance-wise, SMAX has returned 18.32% year-to-date with +$186 M in net flows, whereas VFV is at 14.48% with +$4 B. Use the comparison tool below to benchmark these funds across top 10 holdings, yield, sector weights and historical returns.
NAV Performance and Flows
Key Data
Compare
SMAX
VFV
| AuM | $1,129.20 M | $35,508.05 M |
| Management Fees | 0.65% | 0.08% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.77% | 0.09% |
| Tracking Difference | - | 0.10% |
Historical performance and flows
As of September 17, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | SMAX | +0.47% | +1.77% | +18.32% | +24.50% | - |
VFV | -0.49% | +2.18% | +14.48% | +18.59% | +84.39% | |
| Flows | SMAX | +$25 M | +$78 M | +$186 M | +$150 M | - |
VFV | +$464 M | +$1,419 M | +$3,807 M | +$4,834 M | +$14,839 M |
SMAX vs VFV exposure
Countries
SMAX
USA
97.15%
VFV
USA
97.41%
Sectors
SMAX
Technology
43.20%
Finance
16.37%
Healthcare
8.46%
Industrials
8.37%
Consumer Non-Cyclicals
7.92%
Other
15.68%
VFV
Technology
44.70%
Finance
13.84%
Consumer Non-Cyclicals
9.41%
Healthcare
8.88%
Industrials
7.86%
Other
15.33%
As of September 17, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
SMAX
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
5.45%
Micron Technology, Inc.
5.16%
Cisco Systems, Inc.
5.09%
Amazon.com, Inc.
4.60%
Eli Lilly & Co.
4.51%
Apple, Inc.
4.43%
GE Aerospace
4.37%
Microsoft Corp.
4.35%
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
4.32%
Visa, Inc.
4.28%
VFV
NVIDIA Corp.
7.55%
Apple, Inc.
7.04%
Microsoft Corp.
5.36%
Amazon.com, Inc.
4.13%
Alphabet, Inc.
3.24%
Broadcom Inc.
2.86%
Alphabet, Inc.
2.62%
Meta Platforms, Inc.
1.90%
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
1.46%
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.
1.46%
Diversification
SMAX
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 25 total
46.56%
VFV
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 503 total
37.60%
Characteristics
Compare
SMAX
VFV
| Provider | Hamilton ETFs | Vanguard |
| Management | Actively managed | Passively managed |
| Benchmark | - | S&P 500 ( CAD NY Rate ) Net Total Return 30% Index - CAD |
| Replication Method | ||
| Asset Class | Equity | Equity |
| Dividend Policy | Distributing | Distributing |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | 10.07% | 0.83% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | No |
| Inception Date | October 25, 2023 | November 2, 2012 |
Frequently asked questions about SMAX and VFV
Which ETF has performed better year to date: SMAX or VFV?
As of September 17, 2026, SMAX has returned 18.32% year to date, while VFV has returned 14.48%. SMAX is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: SMAX or VFV?
As of September 17, 2026, SMAX manages $1.13 B in assets, while VFV manages $35.51 B. VFV is the larger fund by AUM.
How are SMAX and VFV managed?
SMAX is actively managed by Hamilton ETFs. It does not track an index. VFV is passively managed by Vanguard. It tracks the S&P 500 ( CAD NY Rate ) Net Total Return 30% Index - CAD benchmark.
What sectors do SMAX and VFV emphasize?
SMAX is most exposed to Technology, Finance, and Healthcare. VFV is most exposed to Technology, Finance, and Consumer Non-Cyclicals.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: SMAX or VFV?
Year to date, SMAX has seen +$185.78 M in net flows, compared with +$3,806.94 M for VFV. VFV has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of SMAX and VFV compare?
SMAX has an expense ratio of 0.77%, while VFV has an expense ratio of 0.09%.
What are the top holdings of SMAX and VFV?
SMAX's largest holdings include Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., Micron Technology, Inc., and Cisco Systems, Inc.. VFV's top holdings include NVIDIA Corp., Apple, Inc., and Alphabet, Inc..
Which ETF is more diversified: SMAX or VFV?
SMAX holds 25 securities, while VFV holds 500. On holdings count, VFV is the more diversified portfolio.
Recent articles about SMAX and VFV
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Posted on 6/13/2024 by Kyle Anthony inStock Market
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