BUZZ vs. SMH

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BUZZ (VanEck Social Sentiment ETF) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BUZZ is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the BUZZ NextGen AI US Sentiment Leaders Index, while SMH is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, BUZZ returned 9.80%/yr vs 39.21%/yr for SMH. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BUZZ charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMH.

Performance

BUZZ vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Social Sentiment ETF (BUZZ) 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, BUZZ achieves a 22.01% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 77.13% return.

BUZZ

• 1D: -2.53%
• 1M: 14.04%
• YTD: 22.01%
• 6M: 16.69%
• 1Y: 44.51%
• 3Y*: 36.58%
• 5Y*: 9.80%
• 10Y*: —

SMH

• 1D: 0.90%
• 1M: 25.87%
• YTD: 77.13%
• 6M: 75.61%
• 1Y: 157.20%
• 3Y*: 64.17%
• 5Y*: 39.21%
• 10Y*: 37.68%

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

BUZZ vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
BUZZ VanEck Social Sentiment ETF	22.01%	30.61%	33.74%	54.64%	-47.67%	-0.89%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	77.13%	49.17%	39.10%	73.38%	-33.53%	40.04%

Correlation

The correlation between BUZZ and SMH is 0.68, 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	0.68
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.69
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 5, 2021	0.73

The correlation between BUZZ and SMH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.68 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.

BUZZ vs. SMH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BUZZ	SMH
Technology	49.0%	100.0%
Communication Services	12.9%	-
Financial Services	12.8%	-
Consumer Cyclical	11.9%	-
Industrials	5.2%	-
Healthcare	4.9%	-
Consumer Defensive	1.4%	-
Utilities	0.9%	-
Energy	0.6%	-
Basic Materials	0.3%	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

BUZZ vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

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

BUZZ

BUZZ Risk / Return Rank: 33
BUZZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
BUZZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
BUZZ Omega Ratio Rank: 35
BUZZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
BUZZ Martin Ratio Rank: 26

SMH

SMH Risk / Return Rank: 96
SMH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
SMH Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
SMH Omega Ratio Rank: 95
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.

BUZZ vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Social Sentiment ETF (BUZZ) 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.

	BUZZ	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.43	5.19	-3.76
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.93	5.22	-3.29
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.72	-0.48
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.47	10.59	-9.13
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	3.56	40.63	-37.07
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BUZZ vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BUZZ Sharpe Ratio is 1.43, which is lower than the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 5.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BUZZ 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

	BUZZ	SMH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.43	5.19	-3.76
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.30	1.13	-0.83
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	1.16	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.33	0.34	-0.01

Drawdowns

BUZZ vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BUZZ drawdown since its inception was -56.87%, smaller than the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUZZ and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	BUZZ	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.87%	-84.96%	+28.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-30.47%	-14.93%	-15.54%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-30.47%	-35.74%	+5.27%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-56.87%	-45.30%	-11.57%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-45.30%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.84%	0.00%	-2.84%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-24.00%	-41.09%	+17.09%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.55%	3.89%	+8.66%

Volatility

BUZZ vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VanEck Social Sentiment ETF (BUZZ) is 9.36%, while VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has a volatility of 11.47%. This indicates that BUZZ 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

	BUZZ	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.36%	11.47%	-2.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.67%	24.29%	-0.62%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	31.35%	30.56%	+0.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	32.98%	35.01%	-2.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	32.69%	32.57%	+0.12%

BUZZ vs. SMH - Expense Ratio Comparison

BUZZ has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than SMH's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

BUZZ vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

BUZZ has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SMH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.17%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BUZZ VanEck Social Sentiment ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.50%	0.52%	0.40%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	0.17%	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 BUZZ and SMH in my portfolio?

BUZZ and SMH have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BUZZ or SMH?

SMH has higher volatility (11.47%) compared to BUZZ (9.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BUZZ dropped -56.87% vs SMH's -84.96%.

Which ETF is better, BUZZ or SMH?

On 5-year performance, SMH leads with 39.21% vs 9.80% for BUZZ. On fees, SMH is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, BUZZ has been the lower-risk option at 9.36%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BUZZ or SMH?

Over the 5-year period, SMH has performed better with a 39.21% return vs 9.80%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BUZZ or SMH?

SMH is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for BUZZ.

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

SMH has the higher dividend yield at 0.17%, compared with 0.00% for BUZZ.

What is the main difference between BUZZ and SMH?

BUZZ is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while SMH is Semiconductors. BUZZ tracks BUZZ NextGen AI US Sentiment Leaders Index, while SMH tracks MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for BUZZ and 0.35% for SMH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.19 vs 1.43), 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.