AGIX vs. SMH

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

AGIX (KraneShares Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AGIX is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Solactive Etna Artificial General Intelligence Index, while SMH is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, AGIX returned 63.05% vs 150.04% for SMH. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. AGIX charges 1.00%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMH.

Performance

AGIX vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in KraneShares Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF (AGIX) 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, AGIX achieves a 32.25% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 74.25% return.

AGIX

• 1D: -0.87%
• 1M: 15.38%
• YTD: 32.25%
• 6M: 32.39%
• 1Y: 63.05%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SMH

• 1D: -1.63%
• 1M: 20.06%
• YTD: 74.25%
• 6M: 74.08%
• 1Y: 150.04%
• 3Y*: 63.96%
• 5Y*: 38.76%
• 10Y*: 37.49%

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

AGIX vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
AGIX KraneShares Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF	32.25%	29.24%	15.47%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	74.25%	49.17%	-4.81%

Correlation

The correlation between AGIX and SMH is 0.67, 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	0.67
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 19, 2024	0.76

The correlation between AGIX and SMH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.67 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

AGIX vs. SMH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AGIX	SMH
Technology	69.6%	100.0%
Communication Services	10.5%	-
Consumer Cyclical	6.1%	-
Financial Services	5.6%	-
Industrials	2.2%	-
Utilities	1.2%	-
Healthcare	0.9%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

AGIX vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

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

AGIX

AGIX Risk / Return Rank: 68
AGIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
AGIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
AGIX Omega Ratio Rank: 68
AGIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
AGIX Martin Ratio Rank: 55

SMH

SMH Risk / Return Rank: 96
SMH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
SMH Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
SMH Omega Ratio Rank: 94
SMH Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
SMH Martin Ratio Rank: 96

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.

AGIX vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for KraneShares Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF (AGIX) 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.

	AGIX	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.52	4.94	-2.42
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.16	5.05	-1.89
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.69	-0.29
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.19	10.11	-6.92
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.38	38.76	-29.38
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AGIX vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AGIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.52, which is lower than the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 4.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AGIX 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

	AGIX	SMH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.52	4.94	-2.42
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.11	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	1.15	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.50	0.34	+1.17

Drawdowns

AGIX vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AGIX drawdown since its inception was -31.48%, smaller than the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AGIX and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	AGIX	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.48%	-84.96%	+53.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.85%	-14.93%	-4.92%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-35.74%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-45.30%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-45.30%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.81%	-1.63%	-1.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.82%	-41.08%	+35.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.74%	3.89%	+2.85%

Volatility

AGIX vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for KraneShares Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF (AGIX) is 8.43%, while VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has a volatility of 11.58%. This indicates that AGIX 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

	AGIX	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.43%	11.58%	-3.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.87%	24.35%	-4.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.13%	30.57%	-5.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.22%	35.01%	-5.79%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.22%	32.57%	-3.35%

AGIX vs. SMH - Expense Ratio Comparison

AGIX has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is higher than SMH's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

AGIX vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

AGIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.91%, more than SMH's 0.18% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AGIX KraneShares Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF	0.91%	1.21%	0.77%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	0.18%	0.31%	0.44%	0.60%	1.18%	0.51%	0.69%	1.50%	1.88%	1.43%	0.80%	2.14%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AGIX and SMH in my portfolio?

AGIX and SMH have a correlation of 0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AGIX or SMH?

SMH has higher volatility (11.58%) compared to AGIX (8.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AGIX dropped -31.48% vs SMH's -84.96%.

Which ETF is better, AGIX or SMH?

On 1-year performance, SMH leads with 150.04% vs 63.05% for AGIX. On fees, SMH is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, AGIX has been the lower-risk option at 8.43%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AGIX or SMH?

Over the 1-year period, SMH has performed better with a 150.04% return vs 63.05%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AGIX or SMH?

SMH is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 1.00% for AGIX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AGIX or SMH?

AGIX has the higher dividend yield at 0.91%, compared with 0.18% for SMH.

What is the main difference between AGIX and SMH?

AGIX is categorized as Technology Equities, while SMH is Semiconductors. AGIX tracks Solactive Etna Artificial General Intelligence Index, while SMH tracks MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. They also come from different issuers: Kraneshares and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 1.00% for AGIX and 0.35% for SMH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.94 vs 2.52), 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.