BLOK vs. SMH

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

BLOK (Amplify Blockchain Technology ETF) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BLOK is a Blockchain fund actively managed by Amplify, while SMH is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. BLOK is actively managed, while SMH is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, BLOK returned 10.22%/yr vs 33.46%/yr for SMH. Their 0.65 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. BLOK charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMH.

Performance

BLOK vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Amplify Blockchain Technology ETF (BLOK) 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, BLOK achieves a 4.30% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 50.09% return.

BLOK

• 1D: -1.22%
• 1M: -3.77%
• 6M: -0.08%
• YTD: 4.30%
• 1Y: 6.60%
• 3Y*: 35.59%
• 5Y*: 10.22%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 17.03%

SMH

• 1D: 0.30%
• 1M: -8.74%
• 6M: 33.97%
• YTD: 50.09%
• 1Y: 90.95%
• 3Y*: 50.56%
• 5Y*: 33.46%
• 10Y*: 34.16%
• ALL TIME*: 11.06%

*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)
BLOK Amplify Blockchain Technology ETF	$12.12M	$10.76M	$19.14M
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	$8.28B	$7.64B	$7.07B

BLOK vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
BLOK Amplify Blockchain Technology ETF	4.30%	32.64%	53.12%	99.62%	-62.36%	30.76%	90.17%	29.54%	-25.38%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	50.09%	49.17%	39.10%	73.38%	-33.53%	42.13%	55.53%	64.45%	-13.48%

Correlation

The correlation between BLOK and SMH is 0.65, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.65
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.59
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.65
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 17, 2018	0.65

The correlation between BLOK and SMH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.59 to 0.65 - a consistent structural relationship.

BLOK vs. SMH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BLOK	SMH
Financial Services	50.9%	-
Technology	36.8%	100.0%
Consumer Cyclical	6.8%	-
Communication Services	3.8%	-
Industrials	1.6%	-
Real Estate	0.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

BLOK vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

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

BLOK

BLOK Risk / Return Rank: 12
BLOK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 12
BLOK Sortino Ratio Rank: 13
BLOK Omega Ratio Rank: 13
BLOK Calmar Ratio Rank: 11
BLOK Martin Ratio Rank: 11

SMH

SMH Risk / Return Rank: 87
SMH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
SMH Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
SMH Omega Ratio Rank: 84
SMH Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
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.

BLOK vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Amplify Blockchain Technology ETF (BLOK) 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.

	BLOK	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.03	2.29	-2.26
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.32	2.70	-2.37
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.04	1.36	-0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.03	3.58	-3.55
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.07	14.64	-14.57

BLOK vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BLOK Sharpe Ratio is 0.03, which is lower than the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 2.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BLOK 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

BLOK vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BLOK drawdown since its inception was -73.33%, smaller than the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BLOK and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	BLOK	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-73.33%	-84.96%	+11.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-35.64%	-24.62%	-11.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-35.64%	-35.74%	+0.10%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-73.33%	-45.30%	-28.03%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-45.30%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-19.37%	-19.19%	-0.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-25.87%	-40.89%	+15.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	17.28%	6.01%	+11.27%

Volatility

BLOK vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Amplify Blockchain Technology ETF (BLOK) is 13.31%, while VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has a volatility of 14.70%. This indicates that BLOK 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

	BLOK	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.31%	14.70%	-1.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	30.77%	33.13%	-2.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	40.21%	38.57%	+1.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	42.50%	36.50%	+6.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	39.06%	33.32%	+5.74%

BLOK vs. SMH - Expense Ratio Comparison

BLOK has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than SMH's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

BLOK vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

BLOK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.82%, more than SMH's 0.20% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BLOK Amplify Blockchain Technology ETF	0.82%	0.72%	6.00%	1.15%	0.00%	14.31%	1.88%	2.05%	1.30%	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 BLOK and SMH in my portfolio?

BLOK 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, BLOK or SMH?

SMH has higher volatility (14.70%) compared to BLOK (13.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BLOK dropped -73.33% vs SMH's -84.96%.

Which ETF is better, BLOK or SMH?

On 5-year performance, SMH leads with 33.46% vs 10.22% for BLOK. On fees, SMH is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, BLOK has been the lower-risk option at 13.31%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BLOK or SMH?

Over the 5-year period, SMH has performed better with a 33.46% return vs 10.22%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BLOK or SMH?

SMH is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for BLOK.

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

BLOK has the higher dividend yield at 0.82%, compared with 0.20% for SMH.

What is the main difference between BLOK and SMH?

BLOK is categorized as Blockchain, while SMH is Semiconductors. They also come from different issuers: Amplify and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for BLOK and 0.35% for SMH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.29 vs 0.03), 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.