AVXC vs. SMH

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

AVXC (Avantis Emerging Markets ex-China Equity ETF) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AVXC is a Emerging Markets Equities fund actively managed by Avantis, while SMH is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. AVXC is actively managed, while SMH is passively managed. Over the past year, AVXC returned 43.04% vs 92.69% for SMH. Their 0.74 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. AVXC charges 0.33%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMH.

Performance

AVXC vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Avantis Emerging Markets ex-China Equity ETF (AVXC) 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, AVXC achieves a 23.53% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 51.46% return.

AVXC

• 1D: 1.36%
• 1M: -3.87%
• 6M: 12.86%
• YTD: 23.53%
• 1Y: 43.04%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 22.06%

SMH

• 1D: 0.91%
• 1M: -7.91%
• 6M: 33.70%
• YTD: 51.46%
• 1Y: 92.69%
• 3Y*: 53.04%
• 5Y*: 32.99%
• 10Y*: 33.99%
• ALL TIME*: 11.09%

*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)
AVXC Avantis Emerging Markets ex-China Equity ETF	$2.49M	$2.46M	$3.42M
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	$8.29B	$7.23B	$7.12B

AVXC vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
AVXC Avantis Emerging Markets ex-China Equity ETF	23.53%	31.45%	-1.26%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	51.46%	49.17%	9.92%

Correlation

The correlation between AVXC and SMH is 0.83, 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.	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 21, 2024	0.74

The correlation between AVXC and SMH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

AVXC vs. SMH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AVXC	SMH
Technology	32.8%	100.0%
Financial Services	20.6%	-
Industrials	9.0%	-
Basic Materials	7.2%	-
Consumer Cyclical	5.0%	-
Energy	3.8%	-
Communication Services	3.5%	-
Consumer Defensive	2.7%	-
Utilities	2.6%	-
Healthcare	2.1%	-
Real Estate	1.4%	-

Return for Risk

AVXC vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

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

AVXC

AVXC Risk / Return Rank: 72
AVXC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
AVXC Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
AVXC Omega Ratio Rank: 75
AVXC Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
AVXC Martin Ratio Rank: 71

SMH

SMH Risk / Return Rank: 88
SMH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
SMH Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
SMH Omega Ratio Rank: 85
SMH Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
SMH Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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.

AVXC vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis Emerging Markets ex-China Equity ETF (AVXC) 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.

	AVXC	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.72	2.43	-0.70
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.29	2.80	-0.51
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.37	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.63	3.79	-1.15
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.98	15.18	-6.20

AVXC vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVXC Sharpe Ratio is 1.72, which is comparable to the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 2.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVXC 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

AVXC vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVXC drawdown since its inception was -20.44%, smaller than the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVXC and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVXC	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.44%	-84.96%	+64.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.43%	-24.62%	+8.19%
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	-11.40%	-18.46%	+7.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.03%	-40.89%	+36.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.80%	6.13%	-1.33%

Volatility

AVXC vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Avantis Emerging Markets ex-China Equity ETF (AVXC) is 9.94%, while VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has a volatility of 14.15%. This indicates that AVXC 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

	AVXC	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.94%	14.15%	-4.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.40%	32.94%	-9.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.16%	38.50%	-13.34%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.61%	36.51%	-15.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.61%	33.33%	-12.72%

AVXC vs. SMH - Expense Ratio Comparison

AVXC has a 0.33% expense ratio, which is lower than SMH's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

AVXC vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

AVXC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.71%, more than SMH's 0.20% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVXC Avantis Emerging Markets ex-China Equity ETF	1.71%	1.97%	1.34%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	0.20%	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 AVXC and SMH in my portfolio?

AVXC and SMH have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AVXC or SMH?

SMH has higher volatility (14.15%) compared to AVXC (9.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVXC dropped -20.44% vs SMH's -84.96%.

Which ETF is better, AVXC or SMH?

On 1-year performance, SMH leads with 92.69% vs 43.04% for AVXC. On fees, AVXC is cheaper at 0.33% per year. On volatility, AVXC has been the lower-risk option at 9.94%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AVXC or SMH?

Over the 1-year period, SMH has performed better with a 92.69% return vs 43.04%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AVXC or SMH?

AVXC is cheaper with a 0.33% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for SMH.

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

AVXC has the higher dividend yield at 1.71%, compared with 0.20% for SMH.

What is the main difference between AVXC and SMH?

AVXC is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while SMH is Semiconductors. They also come from different issuers: Avantis and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.33% for AVXC and 0.35% for SMH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.43 vs 1.72), 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.