Do 'smart beta' funds outperform index funds? By: CNBC.com News March 16, 2015 at 13:11 PM EDT Assets in so-called smart beta mutual funds and ETFs have grown 180 percent over the past five years to more than $500 billion, according to Morningstar. Read More >> Related Stocks: Apple BlackRock Dividend Appreciation ETF Vanguard Yieldshares High Income ETF