BBH vs. SMHX

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about VanEck Vectors Biotech ETF (BBH) and VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF (SMHX).

BBH and SMHX are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. BBH is a passively managed fund by VanEck that tracks the performance of the MVIS US Listed Biotech 25 Index. It was launched on Dec 20, 2011. SMHX is a passively managed fund by VanEck that tracks the performance of the MarketVector™ US Listed Fabless Semiconductor Index. It was launched on Aug 27, 2024. Both BBH and SMHX are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

BBH vs. SMHX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Vectors Biotech ETF (BBH) and VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF (SMHX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

BBH vs. SMHX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
BBH VanEck Vectors Biotech ETF	0.04%	21.18%	-12.72%
SMHX VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF	-0.32%	30.00%	17.76%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BBH achieves a 0.04% return, which is significantly higher than SMHX's -0.32% return.

BBH

• 1D: 0.70%
• 1M: -3.58%
• YTD: 0.04%
• 6M: 10.55%
• 1Y: 23.57%
• 3Y*: 5.92%
• 5Y*: 1.84%
• 10Y*: 6.42%

SMHX

• 1D: 1.86%
• 1M: -2.70%
• YTD: -0.32%
• 6M: -1.36%
• 1Y: 60.74%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BBH vs. SMHX - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both BBH and SMHX have an expense ratio of 0.35%.

BBH

VanEck Vectors Biotech ETF

SMHX

VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF

Return for Risk

BBH vs. SMHX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BBH

BBH Risk / Return Rank: 58
BBH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
BBH Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
BBH Omega Ratio Rank: 50
BBH Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
BBH Martin Ratio Rank: 55

SMHX

SMHX Risk / Return Rank: 83
SMHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
SMHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
SMHX Omega Ratio Rank: 77
SMHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
SMHX Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

BBH vs. SMHX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Vectors Biotech ETF (BBH) and VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF (SMHX). 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.

	BBH	SMHX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.05	1.55	-0.50
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.53	2.19	-0.66
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.30	-0.10
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.00	3.56	-1.56
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.56	9.59	-4.03
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BBH vs. SMHX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BBH Sharpe Ratio is 1.05, which is lower than the SMHX Sharpe Ratio of 1.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BBH and SMHX, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BBH	SMHX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.05	1.55	-0.50
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.09	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.29	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.27	0.77	-0.50

Correlation

The correlation between BBH and SMHX is 0.38, which is considered to be low. This implies their price changes are not closely related. A low correlation is generally favorable for portfolio diversification, as it helps to reduce overall risk by spreading it across multiple assets with different performance patterns.

Dividends

BBH vs. SMHX - Dividend Comparison

BBH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.51%, more than SMHX's 0.02% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BBH VanEck Vectors Biotech ETF	0.51%	0.51%	0.80%	0.43%	0.47%	0.21%	0.36%	0.34%	0.50%	0.55%	0.30%	0.27%
SMHX VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF	0.02%	0.02%	0.04%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

BBH vs. SMHX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BBH drawdown since its inception was -72.70%, which is greater than SMHX's maximum drawdown of -38.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BBH and SMHX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BBH	SMHX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-72.70%	-38.53%	-34.17%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.47%	-17.51%	+7.04%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-39.86%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.86%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-12.15%	-10.19%	-1.96%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-26.05%	-7.94%	-18.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.76%	6.50%	-2.74%

Volatility

BBH vs. SMHX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VanEck Vectors Biotech ETF (BBH) is 7.01%, while VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF (SMHX) has a volatility of 11.28%. This indicates that BBH experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SMHX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BBH	SMHX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.01%	11.28%	-4.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.69%	24.45%	-10.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.72%	39.40%	-16.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.47%	39.80%	-18.33%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.27%	39.80%	-17.53%