AIPO vs. SMH

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AIPO (Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AIPO is a Technology Equities 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. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. 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 52.03% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 77.13% return.

AIPO

• 1D: -1.12%
• 1M: 6.63%
• YTD: 52.03%
• 6M: 45.92%
• 1Y: —
• 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)

AIPO vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
AIPO Defiance AI & Power Infrastructure ETF	52.03%	8.68%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	77.13%	25.66%

Correlation

The correlation between AIPO and SMH is 0.81, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 28, 2025	0.81

AIPO vs. SMH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AIPO	SMH
Industrials	57.1%	-
Technology	16.5%	100.0%
Utilities	14.4%	-
Energy	6.9%	-
Financial Services	3.6%	-
Real Estate	1.0%	-
Communication Services	0.5%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Healthcare	-	-

Return for Risk

AIPO vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

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

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.

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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	AIPO	SMH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	5.19	—
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	2.36	0.34	+2.02

Drawdowns

AIPO vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AIPO drawdown since its inception was -17.31%, 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	-17.31%	-84.96%	+67.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-14.93%	—
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	-1.12%	0.00%	-1.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.38%	-41.09%	+36.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	3.89%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	AIPO	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	11.47%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	24.29%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	34.09%	30.56%	+3.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	34.09%	35.01%	-0.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	34.09%	32.57%	+1.52%

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 0.17% 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	0.17%	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 AIPO and SMH in my portfolio?

AIPO and SMH have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, AIPO or SMH?

On fees, SMH is cheaper at 0.35% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

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 0.17%, compared with 0.01% for AIPO.

What is the main difference between AIPO and SMH?

AIPO is categorized as Technology Equities, 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.