BITQ vs. SMH

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

BITQ (Bitwise Crypto Industry Innovators ETF) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BITQ is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Bitwise Crypto Innovators 30 Total Return, while SMH is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, BITQ returned 4.91%/yr vs 38.76%/yr for SMH. A 0.57 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BITQ charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMH.

Performance

BITQ vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Bitwise Crypto Industry Innovators ETF (BITQ) 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, BITQ achieves a 37.93% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 74.25% return.

BITQ

• 1D: -1.33%
• 1M: 4.84%
• YTD: 37.93%
• 6M: 16.04%
• 1Y: 53.75%
• 3Y*: 60.76%
• 5Y*: 4.91%
• 10Y*: —

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)

BITQ vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
BITQ Bitwise Crypto Industry Innovators ETF	37.93%	18.00%	46.97%	246.83%	-83.86%	-7.06%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	74.25%	49.17%	39.10%	73.38%	-33.53%	38.82%

Correlation

The correlation between BITQ and SMH is 0.54, 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	0.54
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.48
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 13, 2021	0.57

The correlation between BITQ and SMH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.48 to 0.58 - a consistent structural relationship.

BITQ vs. SMH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BITQ	SMH
Financial Services	67.1%	-
Technology	28.1%	100.0%
Consumer Cyclical	4.8%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

BITQ vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

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

BITQ

BITQ Risk / Return Rank: 27
BITQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
BITQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
BITQ Omega Ratio Rank: 28
BITQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
BITQ Martin Ratio Rank: 22

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.

BITQ vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Bitwise Crypto Industry Innovators ETF (BITQ) 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.

	BITQ	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.97	4.94	-3.97
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.57	5.05	-3.48
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.69	-0.51
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.20	10.11	-8.91
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.53	38.76	-36.23
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BITQ vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BITQ Sharpe Ratio is 0.97, which is lower than the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 4.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BITQ 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

	BITQ	SMH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.97	4.94	-3.97
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.07	1.11	-1.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	1.15	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.07	0.34	-0.27

Drawdowns

BITQ vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BITQ drawdown since its inception was -90.32%, which is greater than SMH's maximum drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BITQ and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	BITQ	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-90.32%	-84.96%	-5.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-44.99%	-14.93%	-30.06%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-51.22%	-35.74%	-15.48%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-90.32%	-45.30%	-45.02%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-45.30%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-15.21%	-1.63%	-13.58%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-52.77%	-41.08%	-11.69%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	21.33%	3.89%	+17.44%

Volatility

BITQ vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

Bitwise Crypto Industry Innovators ETF (BITQ) has a higher volatility of 14.24% compared to VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) at 11.58%. This indicates that BITQ'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

	BITQ	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.24%	11.58%	+2.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	42.58%	24.35%	+18.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	55.93%	30.57%	+25.36%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	67.18%	35.01%	+32.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	67.21%	32.57%	+34.64%

BITQ vs. SMH - Expense Ratio Comparison

BITQ has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than SMH's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

BITQ vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

BITQ has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SMH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.18%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BITQ Bitwise Crypto Industry Innovators ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.90%	1.51%	0.00%	3.12%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
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 BITQ and SMH in my portfolio?

BITQ and SMH have a correlation of 0.54, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BITQ or SMH?

BITQ has higher volatility (14.24%) compared to SMH (11.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BITQ dropped -90.32% vs SMH's -84.96%.

Which ETF is better, BITQ or SMH?

On 5-year performance, SMH leads with 38.76% vs 4.91% for BITQ. On fees, SMH is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, SMH has been the lower-risk option at 11.58%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BITQ or SMH?

Over the 5-year period, SMH has performed better with a 38.76% return vs 4.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BITQ or SMH?

SMH is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for BITQ.

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

SMH has the higher dividend yield at 0.18%, compared with 0.00% for BITQ.

What is the main difference between BITQ and SMH?

BITQ is categorized as Technology Equities, while SMH is Semiconductors. BITQ tracks Bitwise Crypto Innovators 30 Total Return, while SMH tracks MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. They also come from different issuers: Exchange Traded Concepts and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for BITQ and 0.35% for SMH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.94 vs 0.97), 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.