AIPO vs. SMH

Last updated Aug 6, 2026

AIPO (Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AIPO is a Artificial Intelligence fund tracking the MarketVector™ US Listed AI and Power Infrastructure Index, while SMH is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, AIPO returned 47.44% vs 99.05% for SMH. Their correlation of 0.84 means they have usually moved in the same direction. AIPO charges 0.69%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMH.

Performance

AIPO vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF (AIPO) 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, AIPO achieves a 36.26% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 58.19% return.

AIPO

• 1D: -0.43%
• 1M: -5.55%
• 6M: 26.16%
• YTD: 36.26%
• 1Y: 47.44%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 47.46%

SMH

• 1D: -1.04%
• 1M: -5.73%
• 6M: 49.13%
• YTD: 58.19%
• 1Y: 99.05%
• 3Y*: 55.27%
• 5Y*: 34.32%
• 10Y*: 34.58%
• ALL TIME*: 11.27%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
AIPO Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF	$40.92M	$37.68M	$46.01M
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	$8.47B	$7.04B	$7.03B

AIPO vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
AIPO Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF	36.26%	9.46%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	58.19%	25.52%

Correlation

The correlation between AIPO and SMH is 0.84, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 25, 2025	0.84

The correlation between AIPO and SMH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

AIPO vs. SMH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AIPO	SMH
Industrials	58.0%	-
Technology	15.7%	100.0%
Utilities	15.3%	-
Energy	6.8%	-
Financial Services	2.9%	-
Real Estate	0.9%	-
Consumer Cyclical	0.7%	-
Communication Services	0.5%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Healthcare	-	-

Return for Risk

AIPO vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

AIPO

AIPO Risk / Return Rank: 45
AIPO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
AIPO Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
AIPO Omega Ratio Rank: 41
AIPO Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
AIPO Martin Ratio Rank: 49

SMH

SMH Risk / Return Rank: 87
SMH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
SMH Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
SMH Omega Ratio Rank: 83
SMH Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
SMH Martin Ratio Rank: 90

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

AIPO vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF (AIPO) 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	AIPO	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.27	2.57	-1.30
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.76	2.93	-1.17
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.39	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.96	4.05	-2.09
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.41	15.89	-9.48

AIPO vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AIPO Sharpe Ratio is 1.27, which is lower than the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 2.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AIPO 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.

Drawdowns

AIPO vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AIPO drawdown since its inception was -24.36%, smaller than the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AIPO and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	AIPO	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.36%	-84.96%	+60.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-24.36%	-24.62%	+0.26%
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	-13.32%	-14.83%	+1.51%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.37%	-40.88%	+35.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.42%	6.26%	+1.16%

Volatility

AIPO vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF (AIPO) and VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) have volatilities of 14.01% and 14.68%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AIPO	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.01%	14.68%	-0.67%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	29.90%	33.23%	-3.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	37.56%	38.76%	-1.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	37.19%	36.59%	+0.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	37.19%	33.37%	+3.82%

AIPO vs. SMH - Expense Ratio Comparison

AIPO has a 0.69% expense ratio, which is higher than SMH's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

AIPO vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

AIPO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.01%, less than SMH's 0.19% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AIPO Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF	0.01%	0.01%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	0.19%	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 AIPO and SMH in my portfolio?

AIPO and SMH have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AIPO or SMH?

SMH has higher volatility (14.68%) compared to AIPO (14.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AIPO dropped -24.36% vs SMH's -84.96%.

Which ETF is better, AIPO or SMH?

On 1-year performance, SMH leads with 99.05% vs 47.44% for AIPO. On fees, SMH is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, AIPO has been the lower-risk option at 14.01%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AIPO or SMH?

Over the 1-year period, SMH has performed better with a 99.05% return vs 47.44%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AIPO or SMH?

SMH is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for AIPO.

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

SMH has the higher dividend yield at 0.19%, compared with 0.01% for AIPO.

What is the main difference between AIPO and SMH?

AIPO is categorized as Artificial Intelligence, while SMH is Semiconductors. AIPO tracks MarketVector™ US Listed AI and Power Infrastructure Index, while SMH tracks MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. They also come from different issuers: Defiance and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.69% for AIPO and 0.35% for SMH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.57 vs 1.27), 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.