CAIQ vs. SMH

Last updated Jun 16, 2026

CAIQ (Calamos Nasdaq Autocallable Income ETF) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - CAIQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the MerQube Nasdaq-100 Vol Advantage Autocallable Index, while SMH is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. Both are passively managed. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. CAIQ charges 0.74%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMH.

Performance

CAIQ vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Calamos Nasdaq Autocallable Income ETF (CAIQ) 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, CAIQ achieves a 12.96% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 79.69% return.

CAIQ

• 1D: 0.83%
• 1M: 1.36%
• YTD: 12.96%
• 6M: 14.11%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SMH

• 1D: 4.38%
• 1M: 16.31%
• YTD: 79.69%
• 6M: 83.94%
• 1Y: 152.58%
• 3Y*: 62.32%
• 5Y*: 39.72%
• 10Y*: 38.18%

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

CAIQ vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
CAIQ Calamos Nasdaq Autocallable Income ETF	12.96%	4.03%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	79.69%	6.43%

Correlation

The correlation between CAIQ and SMH is 0.77, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 20, 2025	0.77

Return for Risk

CAIQ vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

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

CAIQ

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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: 97

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.

CAIQ vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Calamos Nasdaq Autocallable Income ETF (CAIQ) 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.

	CAIQ	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	4.61	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	4.60	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.65	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	10.28	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	37.77	—

Drawdowns

CAIQ vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CAIQ drawdown since its inception was -9.06%, smaller than the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CAIQ and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	CAIQ	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.06%	-84.96%	+75.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-14.93%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-35.74%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-45.30%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-45.30%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.52%	0.00%	-0.52%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.70%	-41.04%	+39.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	4.06%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	CAIQ	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	16.71%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	27.97%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.91%	33.39%	-19.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.91%	35.53%	-21.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.91%	32.86%	-18.95%

CAIQ vs. SMH - Expense Ratio Comparison

CAIQ has a 0.74% expense ratio, which is higher than SMH's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

CAIQ vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

CAIQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.50%, more than SMH's 0.17% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CAIQ Calamos Nasdaq Autocallable Income ETF	8.50%	1.54%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	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 CAIQ and SMH in my portfolio?

CAIQ and SMH have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, CAIQ or SMH?

On fees, SMH is cheaper at 0.35% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, CAIQ or SMH?

SMH is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.74% for CAIQ.

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

CAIQ has the higher dividend yield at 8.50%, compared with 0.17% for SMH.

What is the main difference between CAIQ and SMH?

CAIQ is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while SMH is Semiconductors. CAIQ tracks MerQube Nasdaq-100 Vol Advantage Autocallable Index, while SMH tracks MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. They also come from different issuers: Calamos and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.74% for CAIQ and 0.35% for SMH.