AIEQ vs. SMH

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AIEQ (AI Powered Equity ETF) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AIEQ is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by ETFMG, while SMH is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. AIEQ is actively managed, while SMH is passively managed. Over the past year, AIEQ returned 22.77% vs 157.20% for SMH. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. AIEQ charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMH.

Performance

AIEQ vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AI Powered Equity ETF (AIEQ) 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, AIEQ achieves a 10.58% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 77.13% return.

AIEQ

• 1D: -0.53%
• 1M: 5.24%
• YTD: 10.58%
• 6M: 11.05%
• 1Y: 22.77%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SMH

• 1D: 0.90%
• 1M: 25.87%
• YTD: 77.13%
• 6M: 75.61%
• 1Y: 157.20%
• 3Y*: 64.17%
• 5Y*: 39.21%
• 10Y*: 37.68%

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

AIEQ vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
AIEQ AI Powered Equity ETF	10.58%	13.96%	14.21%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	77.13%	49.17%	27.70%

Correlation

The correlation between AIEQ and SMH is 0.71, 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	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2024	0.71

The correlation between AIEQ and SMH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.71 - a consistent structural relationship.

AIEQ vs. SMH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AIEQ	SMH
Technology	35.7%	100.0%
Financial Services	13.1%	-
Communication Services	12.3%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.5%	-
Industrials	8.3%	-
Healthcare	7.1%	-
Consumer Defensive	5.7%	-
Energy	2.7%	-
Basic Materials	2.4%	-
Real Estate	1.7%	-
Utilities	0.6%	-

Return for Risk

AIEQ vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

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

AIEQ

AIEQ Risk / Return Rank: 53
AIEQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
AIEQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
AIEQ Omega Ratio Rank: 53
AIEQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
AIEQ Martin Ratio Rank: 55

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: 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.

AIEQ vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AI Powered Equity ETF (AIEQ) 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.

	AIEQ	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.86	5.19	-3.33
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.55	5.22	-2.67
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.72	-0.39
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.51	10.59	-8.08
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.72	40.63	-30.90
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AIEQ vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AIEQ Sharpe Ratio is 1.86, which is lower than the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 5.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AIEQ 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

	AIEQ	SMH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.86	5.19	-3.33
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.13	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	1.16	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.87	0.34	+0.53

Drawdowns

AIEQ vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AIEQ drawdown since its inception was -24.19%, smaller than the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AIEQ and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	AIEQ	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.19%	-84.96%	+60.77%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.11%	-14.93%	+5.82%
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	-0.56%	0.00%	-0.56%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.31%	-41.09%	+37.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.35%	3.89%	-1.54%

Volatility

AIEQ vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for AI Powered Equity ETF (AIEQ) is 3.14%, while VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has a volatility of 11.47%. This indicates that AIEQ 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

	AIEQ	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.14%	11.47%	-8.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.37%	24.29%	-14.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.34%	30.56%	-18.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.48%	35.01%	-15.53%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.48%	32.57%	-13.09%

AIEQ vs. SMH - Expense Ratio Comparison

AIEQ has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is higher than SMH's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

AIEQ vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

AIEQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.39%, more than SMH's 0.17% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AIEQ AI Powered Equity ETF	0.39%	0.43%	0.65%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	0.17%	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 AIEQ and SMH in my portfolio?

AIEQ and SMH have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AIEQ or SMH?

SMH has higher volatility (11.47%) compared to AIEQ (3.14%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AIEQ dropped -24.19% vs SMH's -84.96%.

Which ETF is better, AIEQ or SMH?

On 1-year performance, SMH leads with 157.20% vs 22.77% for AIEQ. On fees, SMH is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, AIEQ has been the lower-risk option at 3.14%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AIEQ or SMH?

Over the 1-year period, SMH has performed better with a 157.20% return vs 22.77%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AIEQ or SMH?

SMH is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for AIEQ.

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

AIEQ has the higher dividend yield at 0.39%, compared with 0.17% for SMH.

What is the main difference between AIEQ and SMH?

AIEQ is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while SMH is Semiconductors. They also come from different issuers: ETFMG and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.80% for AIEQ and 0.35% for SMH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.19 vs 1.86), 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.