AVGX vs. SMH

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

AVGX (Defiance Daily Target 2X Long AVGO ETF) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AVGX is a Leveraged Equities fund actively managed by Defiance, while SMH is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. AVGX is actively managed, while SMH is passively managed. Over the past year, AVGX returned 175.51% vs 160.66% for SMH. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. AVGX charges 1.29%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMH.

Performance

AVGX vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Defiance Daily Target 2X Long AVGO ETF (AVGX) 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, AVGX achieves a 71.32% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 75.55% return.

AVGX

• 1D: 9.37%
• 1M: 27.57%
• YTD: 71.32%
• 6M: 36.28%
• 1Y: 175.51%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SMH

• 1D: 4.01%
• 1M: 24.01%
• YTD: 75.55%
• 6M: 76.44%
• 1Y: 160.66%
• 3Y*: 63.68%
• 5Y*: 39.58%
• 10Y*: 37.55%

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

AVGX vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
AVGX Defiance Daily Target 2X Long AVGO ETF	71.32%	46.98%	69.92%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	75.55%	49.17%	0.34%

Correlation

The correlation between AVGX and SMH is 0.65, 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	0.65
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 23, 2024	0.73

The correlation between AVGX and SMH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.65 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

AVGX vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

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

AVGX

AVGX Risk / Return Rank: 56
AVGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
AVGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
AVGX Omega Ratio Rank: 51
AVGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
AVGX Martin Ratio Rank: 47

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: 97

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.

AVGX vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Daily Target 2X Long AVGO ETF (AVGX) 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.

	AVGX	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.05	5.29	-3.24
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.59	5.29	-2.70
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.73	-0.41
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.53	11.02	-7.49
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.88	42.34	-34.46
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AVGX vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVGX Sharpe Ratio is 2.05, which is lower than the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 5.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVGX 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

	AVGX	SMH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.05	5.29	-3.24
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.14	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	1.16	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.23	0.34	+0.89

Drawdowns

AVGX vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVGX drawdown since its inception was -70.97%, smaller than the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVGX and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVGX	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-70.97%	-84.96%	+13.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-54.09%	-14.93%	-39.16%
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	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.76%	-41.09%	+18.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	24.20%	3.89%	+20.31%

Volatility

AVGX vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

Defiance Daily Target 2X Long AVGO ETF (AVGX) has a higher volatility of 23.68% compared to VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) at 11.59%. This indicates that AVGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SMH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AVGX	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	23.68%	11.59%	+12.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	62.51%	24.29%	+38.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	86.11%	30.57%	+55.54%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	104.76%	35.02%	+69.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	104.76%	32.58%	+72.18%

AVGX vs. SMH - Expense Ratio Comparison

AVGX has a 1.29% expense ratio, which is higher than SMH's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

AVGX vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

AVGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.97%, more than SMH's 0.17% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVGX Defiance Daily Target 2X Long AVGO ETF	0.97%	1.65%	0.81%	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 AVGX and SMH in my portfolio?

AVGX and SMH have a correlation of 0.65, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AVGX or SMH?

AVGX has higher volatility (23.68%) compared to SMH (11.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVGX dropped -70.97% vs SMH's -84.96%.

Which ETF is better, AVGX or SMH?

On 1-year performance, AVGX leads with 175.51% vs 160.66% for SMH. On fees, SMH is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, SMH has been the lower-risk option at 11.59%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AVGX or SMH?

Over the 1-year period, AVGX has performed better with a 175.51% return vs 160.66%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AVGX or SMH?

SMH is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 1.29% for AVGX.

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

AVGX has the higher dividend yield at 0.97%, compared with 0.17% for SMH.

What is the main difference between AVGX and SMH?

AVGX is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while SMH is Semiconductors. They also come from different issuers: Defiance and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 1.29% for AVGX and 0.35% for SMH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.29 vs 2.05), 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.