AIQ vs. SMH

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AIQ (Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AIQ is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Indxx Artificial Intelligence & Big Data Index, while SMH is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, AIQ returned 19.07%/yr vs 39.21%/yr for SMH. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AIQ charges 0.68%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMH.

Performance

AIQ vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF (AIQ) 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, AIQ achieves a 35.98% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 77.13% return.

AIQ

• 1D: -1.40%
• 1M: 21.10%
• YTD: 35.98%
• 6M: 36.15%
• 1Y: 69.19%
• 3Y*: 37.50%
• 5Y*: 19.07%
• 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)

AIQ vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
AIQ Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF	35.98%	31.89%	24.11%	55.39%	-36.44%	17.09%	52.88%	39.94%	-14.03%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	77.13%	49.17%	39.10%	73.38%	-33.53%	42.13%	55.53%	64.45%	-16.50%

Correlation

The correlation between AIQ and SMH is 0.82, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 17, 2018	0.84

The correlation between AIQ and SMH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

AIQ vs. SMH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AIQ	SMH
Technology	73.3%	100.0%
Communication Services	13.2%	-
Consumer Cyclical	8.5%	-
Industrials	4.2%	-
Healthcare	0.4%	-
Financial Services	0.4%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

AIQ vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

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

AIQ

AIQ Risk / Return Rank: 81
AIQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
AIQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
AIQ Omega Ratio Rank: 80
AIQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
AIQ Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

AIQ vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	AIQ	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.02	5.19	-2.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.70	5.22	-1.51
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.49	1.72	-0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.22	10.59	-6.37
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.59	40.63	-26.04
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AIQ vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AIQ Sharpe Ratio is 3.02, which is lower than the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 5.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AIQ 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

	AIQ	SMH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.02	5.19	-2.17
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76	1.13	-0.37
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	1.16	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.84	0.34	+0.50

Drawdowns

AIQ vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AIQ drawdown since its inception was -44.66%, smaller than the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AIQ and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	AIQ	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.66%	-84.96%	+40.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.47%	-14.93%	-1.54%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.35%	-35.74%	+9.39%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-44.66%	-45.30%	+0.64%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-45.30%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.40%	0.00%	-1.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.80%	-41.09%	+31.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.76%	3.89%	+0.87%

Volatility

AIQ vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF (AIQ) is 8.60%, while VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has a volatility of 11.47%. This indicates that AIQ 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

	AIQ	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.60%	11.47%	-2.87%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.46%	24.29%	-5.83%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.04%	30.56%	-7.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.33%	35.01%	-9.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.50%	32.57%	-7.07%

AIQ vs. SMH - Expense Ratio Comparison

AIQ has a 0.68% expense ratio, which is higher than SMH's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

AIQ vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

AIQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.14%, less than SMH's 0.17% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AIQ Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF	0.14%	0.18%	0.14%	0.16%	0.56%	0.15%	0.50%	0.51%	0.51%	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 AIQ and SMH in my portfolio?

AIQ and SMH have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AIQ or SMH?

SMH has higher volatility (11.47%) compared to AIQ (8.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AIQ dropped -44.66% vs SMH's -84.96%.

Which ETF is better, AIQ or SMH?

On 5-year performance, SMH leads with 39.21% vs 19.07% for AIQ. On fees, SMH is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, AIQ has been the lower-risk option at 8.60%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AIQ or SMH?

Over the 5-year period, SMH has performed better with a 39.21% return vs 19.07%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AIQ or SMH?

SMH is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.68% for AIQ.

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

SMH has the higher dividend yield at 0.17%, compared with 0.14% for AIQ.

What is the main difference between AIQ and SMH?

AIQ is categorized as Technology Equities, while SMH is Semiconductors. AIQ tracks Indxx Artificial Intelligence & Big Data Index, while SMH tracks MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. They also come from different issuers: Global X and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.68% for AIQ and 0.35% for SMH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.19 vs 3.02), 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.