CHY vs. SMH

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

CHY (Calamos Convertible and High Income Closed Fund) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both funds - CHY is a Convertible Bonds fund actively managed by Calamos, while SMH is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. CHY is actively managed, while SMH is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, CHY returned 12.63%/yr vs 35.93%/yr for SMH. At a 0.41 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. CHY charges 2.64%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMH.

Performance

CHY vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Calamos Convertible and High Income Closed Fund (CHY) 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, CHY achieves a 26.02% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 62.61% return. Over the past 10 years, CHY has underperformed SMH with an annualized return of 12.63%, while SMH has yielded a comparatively higher 35.93% annualized return.

CHY

• 1D: -0.51%
• 1M: 5.47%
• 6M: 22.03%
• YTD: 26.02%
• 1Y: 37.86%
• 3Y*: 19.20%
• 5Y*: 6.93%
• 10Y*: 12.63%

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)

CHY vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CHY Calamos Convertible and High Income Closed Fund	26.02%	3.97%	17.24%	20.78%	-28.05%	22.17%	36.75%	32.63%	-12.60%	24.44%
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 CHY and SMH is 0.63, 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	0.63
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.49
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.51
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 29, 2003	0.41

Over the past year, CHY and SMH have become more correlated (0.63) than their long-term average of 0.41, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

CHY vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

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

CHY

CHY Risk / Return Rank: 86
CHY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
CHY Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
CHY Omega Ratio Rank: 81
CHY Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
CHY Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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.

CHY vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Calamos Convertible and High Income Closed Fund (CHY) 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.

	CHY	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.28	2.86	-0.58
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.03	3.14	-0.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.43	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.33	7.03	-3.70
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.20	22.83	-6.63

CHY vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CHY Sharpe Ratio is 2.28, which is comparable to the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 2.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CHY 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

CHY vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CHY drawdown since its inception was -60.53%, smaller than the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CHY and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	CHY	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.53%	-84.96%	+24.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.42%	-14.93%	+3.51%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.32%	-35.74%	+11.42%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.99%	-45.30%	+9.31%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-50.41%	-45.30%	-5.11%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.51%	-12.45%	+11.94%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.07%	-40.94%	+31.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.34%	4.59%	-2.25%

Volatility

CHY vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Calamos Convertible and High Income Closed Fund (CHY) is 4.88%, while VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has a volatility of 18.45%. This indicates that CHY 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

	CHY	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.88%	18.45%	-13.57%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.13%	31.29%	-17.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.69%	36.76%	-20.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.48%	36.19%	-16.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.29%	33.14%	-9.85%

CHY vs. SMH - Expense Ratio Comparison

CHY has a 2.64% expense ratio, which is higher than SMH's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

CHY vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

CHY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.77%, more than SMH's 0.19% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CHY Calamos Convertible and High Income Closed Fund	8.77%	10.61%	9.88%	10.46%	11.37%	7.42%	7.14%	8.72%	12.13%	10.13%	11.37%	11.42%
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 CHY and SMH in my portfolio?

CHY and SMH have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CHY or SMH?

SMH has higher volatility (18.45%) compared to CHY (4.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CHY dropped -60.53% vs SMH's -84.96%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.86 vs 2.28), 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.