CDW vs. SMH

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

CDW (CDW Corporation) is a stock, while SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) is Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. Over the past 10 years, CDW returned 13.89%/yr vs 35.15%/yr for SMH. A 0.51 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

CDW vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in CDW Corporation (CDW) 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, CDW achieves a -0.28% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 57.98% return. Over the past 10 years, CDW has underperformed SMH with an annualized return of 13.89%, while SMH has yielded a comparatively higher 35.15% annualized return.

CDW

• 1D: 2.66%
• 1M: 3.27%
• 6M: 2.67%
• YTD: -0.28%
• 1Y: -22.08%
• 3Y*: -9.56%
• 5Y*: -3.83%
• 10Y*: 13.89%

SMH

• 1D: -3.70%
• 1M: -7.64%
• 6M: 43.52%
• YTD: 57.98%
• 1Y: 97.28%
• 3Y*: 53.38%
• 5Y*: 36.57%
• 10Y*: 35.15%

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

CDW vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CDW CDW Corporation	-0.28%	-20.56%	-22.57%	28.84%	-11.75%	56.87%	-6.55%	78.22%	17.98%	34.92%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	57.98%	49.17%	39.10%	73.38%	-33.53%	42.13%	55.53%	64.45%	-9.05%	38.48%

Correlation

The correlation between CDW and SMH is 0.16, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.16
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.38
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 27, 2013	0.51

Over the past year, the correlation between CDW and SMH has dropped to 0.16 - well below their long-term average of 0.51, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

CDW vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

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

CDW

CDW Risk / Return Rank: 23
CDW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
CDW Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
CDW Omega Ratio Rank: 20
CDW Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
CDW Martin Ratio Rank: 25

SMH

SMH Risk / Return Rank: 90
SMH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
SMH Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
SMH Omega Ratio Rank: 85
SMH Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
SMH Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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.

CDW vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for CDW Corporation (CDW) 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.

	CDW	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.53	2.65	-3.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.49	2.97	-3.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.93	1.41	-0.48
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.49	6.54	-7.04
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.92	20.41	-21.32

CDW vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CDW Sharpe Ratio is -0.53, which is lower than the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 2.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CDW 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

CDW vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CDW drawdown since its inception was -60.37%, smaller than the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CDW and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	CDW	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.37%	-84.96%	+24.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-44.77%	-14.95%	-29.82%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-60.37%	-35.74%	-24.63%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-60.37%	-45.30%	-15.07%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-60.37%	-45.30%	-15.07%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-46.06%	-14.95%	-31.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.23%	-40.93%	+29.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	24.14%	4.78%	+19.36%

Volatility

CDW vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for CDW Corporation (CDW) is 14.30%, while VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has a volatility of 17.01%. This indicates that CDW 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

	CDW	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.30%	17.01%	-2.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	37.99%	31.61%	+6.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	42.13%	36.97%	+5.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	31.54%	36.21%	-4.67%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.19%	33.16%	-1.97%

Dividends

CDW vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

CDW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.87%, more than SMH's 0.19% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CDW CDW Corporation	1.87%	1.84%	1.43%	1.05%	1.17%	0.83%	1.17%	0.89%	1.14%	0.99%	0.93%	0.74%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	0.19%	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 CDW and SMH in my portfolio?

CDW and SMH have a correlation of 0.16, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CDW or SMH?

SMH has higher volatility (17.01%) compared to CDW (14.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CDW dropped -60.37% vs SMH's -84.96%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.65 vs -0.53), 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.