BELFA vs. SMH

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

BELFA (Bel Fuse Inc.) is a stock, while SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) is Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. Over the past 10 years, BELFA returned 33.26%/yr vs 37.49%/yr for SMH. At a 0.26 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

BELFA vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Bel Fuse Inc. (BELFA) 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, BELFA achieves a 62.65% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 74.25% return. Over the past 10 years, BELFA has underperformed SMH with an annualized return of 33.26%, while SMH has yielded a comparatively higher 37.49% annualized return.

BELFA

• 1D: -0.74%
• 1M: -6.17%
• YTD: 62.65%
• 6M: 73.58%
• 1Y: 275.04%
• 3Y*: 71.38%
• 5Y*: 77.06%
• 10Y*: 33.26%

SMH

• 1D: -1.63%
• 1M: 20.06%
• YTD: 74.25%
• 6M: 74.08%
• 1Y: 150.04%
• 3Y*: 63.96%
• 5Y*: 38.76%
• 10Y*: 37.49%

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

BELFA vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BELFA Bel Fuse Inc.	62.65%	68.98%	39.80%	102.03%	117.06%	14.81%	-16.19%	19.66%	-36.22%	-12.91%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	74.25%	49.17%	39.10%	73.38%	-33.53%	42.13%	55.53%	64.45%	-9.05%	38.48%

Correlation

The correlation between BELFA and SMH is 0.51, 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	0.51
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.45
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.36
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.28
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 6, 2000	0.26

Over the past year, BELFA and SMH have become more correlated (0.51) than their long-term average of 0.26, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

BELFA vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

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

BELFA

BELFA Risk / Return Rank: 97
BELFA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
BELFA Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
BELFA Omega Ratio Rank: 95
BELFA Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
BELFA Martin Ratio Rank: 98

SMH

SMH Risk / Return Rank: 96
SMH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
SMH Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
SMH Omega Ratio Rank: 94
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.

BELFA vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Bel Fuse Inc. (BELFA) 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.

	BELFA	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	5.13	4.94	+0.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.46	5.05	-0.59
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.59	1.69	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	12.70	10.11	+2.59
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	39.40	38.76	+0.63
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BELFA vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BELFA Sharpe Ratio is 5.13, which is comparable to the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 4.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BELFA 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

	BELFA	SMH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.13	4.94	+0.19
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.56	1.11	+0.44
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55	1.15	-0.61
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.13	0.34	-0.21

Drawdowns

BELFA vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BELFA drawdown since its inception was -89.86%, which is greater than SMH's maximum drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BELFA and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	BELFA	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-89.86%	-84.96%	-4.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.82%	-14.93%	-6.89%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-43.43%	-35.74%	-7.69%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.43%	-45.30%	+1.87%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-78.04%	-45.30%	-32.74%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.87%	-1.63%	-7.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-50.49%	-41.08%	-9.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.02%	3.89%	+3.13%

Volatility

BELFA vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

Bel Fuse Inc. (BELFA) has a higher volatility of 17.54% compared to VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) at 11.58%. This indicates that BELFA'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

	BELFA	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	17.54%	11.58%	+5.96%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	38.64%	24.35%	+14.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	54.03%	30.57%	+23.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	49.78%	35.01%	+14.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	60.86%	32.57%	+28.29%

Dividends

BELFA vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

BELFA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.10%, less than SMH's 0.18% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BELFA Bel Fuse Inc.	0.10%	0.16%	0.27%	0.39%	0.78%	1.60%	1.81%	1.48%	1.75%	1.10%	0.95%	1.64%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	0.18%	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 BELFA and SMH in my portfolio?

BELFA and SMH have a correlation of 0.51, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BELFA or SMH?

BELFA has higher volatility (17.54%) compared to SMH (11.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BELFA dropped -89.86% vs SMH's -84.96%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BELFA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.13 vs 4.94), 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.