^XCI vs. SMH

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

^XCI (ARCA Computer Technology Index) is an index, while SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) is Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. Over the past 10 years, ^XCI returned 27.64%/yr vs 37.55%/yr for SMH. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure.

Performance

^XCI vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ARCA Computer Technology Index (^XCI) and VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ^XCI achieves a 24.22% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 75.55% return. Over the past 10 years, ^XCI has underperformed SMH with an annualized return of 27.64%, while SMH has yielded a comparatively higher 37.55% annualized return.

^XCI

• 1D: 0.35%
• 1M: 14.52%
• YTD: 24.22%
• 6M: 22.39%
• 1Y: 58.78%
• 3Y*: 36.93%
• 5Y*: 26.65%
• 10Y*: 27.64%

SMH

• 1D: 4.01%
• 1M: 24.01%
• YTD: 75.55%
• 6M: 76.44%
• 1Y: 160.66%
• 3Y*: 63.68%
• 5Y*: 39.58%
• 10Y*: 37.55%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

^XCI vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
^XCI ARCA Computer Technology Index	24.22%	26.59%	42.26%	66.65%	-32.43%	41.49%	43.93%	49.12%	-3.42%	37.69%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	75.55%	49.17%	39.10%	73.38%	-33.53%	42.13%	55.53%	64.45%	-9.05%	38.48%

Correlation

The correlation between ^XCI and SMH is 0.78, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 6, 2000	0.83

The correlation between ^XCI and SMH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

^XCI vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

^XCI

^XCI Risk / Return Rank: 84
^XCI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
^XCI Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
^XCI Omega Ratio Rank: 88
^XCI Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
^XCI Martin Ratio Rank: 69

SMH

SMH Risk / Return Rank: 96
SMH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
SMH Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
SMH Omega Ratio Rank: 95
SMH Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
SMH Martin Ratio Rank: 97

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

^XCI vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ARCA Computer Technology Index (^XCI) and VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	^XCI	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.01	5.29	-2.28
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.78	5.29	-1.51
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.73	-0.25
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.21	11.02	-7.81
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.17	42.34	-32.17
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

^XCI vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ^XCI Sharpe Ratio is 3.01, which is lower than the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 5.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ^XCI and SMH, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	^XCI	SMH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.01	5.29	-2.28
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.04	1.14	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.10	1.16	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	0.34	+0.08

Drawdowns

^XCI vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ^XCI drawdown since its inception was -77.19%, smaller than the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ^XCI and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	^XCI	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-77.19%	-84.96%	+7.77%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.85%	-14.93%	-3.92%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.74%	-35.74%	+9.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.04%	-45.30%	+8.26%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.04%	-45.30%	+8.26%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-31.26%	-41.09%	+9.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.95%	3.89%	+2.06%

Volatility

^XCI vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ARCA Computer Technology Index (^XCI) is 5.43%, while VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has a volatility of 11.59%. This indicates that ^XCI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SMH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	^XCI	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.43%	11.59%	-6.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.08%	24.29%	-9.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.63%	30.57%	-10.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.65%	35.02%	-9.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.19%	32.58%	-7.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ^XCI and SMH in my portfolio?

^XCI and SMH have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ^XCI or SMH?

SMH has higher volatility (11.59%) compared to ^XCI (5.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ^XCI dropped -77.19% vs SMH's -84.96%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.29 vs 3.01), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.