CE vs. SMH

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

CE (Celanese 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, CE returned -2.01%/yr vs 35.93%/yr for SMH. At a 0.45 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

CE vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Celanese Corporation (CE) 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, CE achieves a 13.46% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 62.61% return. Over the past 10 years, CE has underperformed SMH with an annualized return of -2.01%, while SMH has yielded a comparatively higher 35.93% annualized return.

CE

• 1D: 2.13%
• 1M: -10.40%
• 6M: 5.10%
• YTD: 13.46%
• 1Y: -21.31%
• 3Y*: -25.47%
• 5Y*: -19.58%
• 10Y*: -2.01%

SMH

• 1D: -4.16%
• 1M: -5.54%
• 6M: 49.91%
• YTD: 62.61%
• 1Y: 104.33%
• 3Y*: 55.82%
• 5Y*: 36.02%
• 10Y*: 35.93%

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

CE vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CE Celanese Corporation	13.46%	-38.76%	-54.57%	55.69%	-37.77%	31.75%	8.25%	39.85%	-14.31%	38.52%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	62.61%	49.17%	39.10%	73.38%	-33.53%	42.13%	55.53%	64.45%	-9.05%	38.48%

Correlation

The correlation between CE and SMH is 0.13, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.13
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.24
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.36
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.40
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 21, 2005	0.45

Over the past year, the correlation between CE and SMH has dropped to 0.13 - well below their long-term average of 0.45, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

CE vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

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

CE

CE Risk / Return Rank: 28
CE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
CE Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
CE Omega Ratio Rank: 29
CE Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
CE Martin Ratio Rank: 26

SMH

SMH Risk / Return Rank: 92
SMH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
SMH Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
SMH Omega Ratio Rank: 88
SMH Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
SMH Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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.

CE vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	CE	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.38	2.86	-3.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.22	3.14	-3.36
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.97	1.43	-0.46
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.53	7.03	-7.56
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.91	22.83	-23.74

CE vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CE Sharpe Ratio is -0.38, which is lower than the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 2.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CE 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

CE vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CE drawdown since its inception was -84.87%, roughly equal to the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CE and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	CE	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-84.87%	-84.96%	+0.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-40.46%	-14.93%	-25.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-78.96%	-35.74%	-43.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-78.96%	-45.30%	-33.66%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-78.96%	-45.30%	-33.66%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-71.59%	-12.45%	-59.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-20.87%	-40.94%	+20.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	24.32%	4.59%	+19.73%

Volatility

CE vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Celanese Corporation (CE) is 12.94%, while VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has a volatility of 18.45%. This indicates that CE 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

	CE	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.94%	18.45%	-5.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	40.55%	31.29%	+9.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	56.29%	36.76%	+19.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	45.37%	36.19%	+9.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	39.31%	33.14%	+6.17%

Dividends

CE vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

CE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.25%, more than SMH's 0.19% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CE Celanese Corporation	0.25%	0.28%	4.05%	1.80%	2.68%	1.62%	1.91%	1.95%	2.31%	1.62%	1.75%	1.71%
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 CE and SMH in my portfolio?

CE and SMH have a correlation of 0.13, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CE or SMH?

SMH has higher volatility (18.45%) compared to CE (12.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CE dropped -84.87% vs SMH's -84.96%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.86 vs -0.38), 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.