CNXT vs. SMH

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

CNXT (VanEck Vectors ChinaAMC SME-ChiNext ETF) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - CNXT is a China Equities fund tracking the SME-ChiNext 100 Index, while SMH is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, CNXT returned 6.57%/yr vs 37.49%/yr for SMH. At a 0.32 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. CNXT charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMH.

Performance

CNXT vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Vectors ChinaAMC SME-ChiNext ETF (CNXT) 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, CNXT achieves a 32.68% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 74.25% return. Over the past 10 years, CNXT has underperformed SMH with an annualized return of 6.57%, while SMH has yielded a comparatively higher 37.49% annualized return.

CNXT

• 1D: -0.62%
• 1M: 9.11%
• YTD: 32.68%
• 6M: 39.36%
• 1Y: 114.61%
• 3Y*: 26.75%
• 5Y*: 3.96%
• 10Y*: 6.57%

SMH

• 1D: -1.63%
• 1M: 20.06%
• YTD: 74.25%
• 6M: 74.08%
• 1Y: 150.04%
• 3Y*: 63.96%
• 5Y*: 38.76%
• 10Y*: 37.49%

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

CNXT vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CNXT VanEck Vectors ChinaAMC SME-ChiNext ETF	32.68%	59.31%	12.42%	-21.47%	-35.58%	8.78%	63.30%	42.66%	-39.48%	20.19%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	74.25%	49.17%	39.10%	73.38%	-33.53%	42.13%	55.53%	64.45%	-9.05%	38.48%

Correlation

The correlation between CNXT and SMH is 0.43, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.43
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.26
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.29
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.34
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 25, 2014	0.32

The correlation between CNXT and SMH shifts across timeframes, from 0.26 (3 years) to 0.43 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

CNXT vs. SMH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	CNXT	SMH
Technology	43.8%	100.0%
Industrials	33.2%	-
Healthcare	7.0%	-
Financial Services	5.6%	-
Basic Materials	4.1%	-
Consumer Defensive	2.6%	-
Communication Services	2.5%	-
Consumer Cyclical	1.2%	-
Energy	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

CNXT vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

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

CNXT

CNXT Risk / Return Rank: 93
CNXT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
CNXT Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
CNXT Omega Ratio Rank: 89
CNXT Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
CNXT Martin Ratio Rank: 95

SMH

SMH Risk / Return Rank: 96
SMH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
SMH Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
SMH Omega Ratio Rank: 94
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.

CNXT vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Vectors ChinaAMC SME-ChiNext ETF (CNXT) 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.

	CNXT	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.75	4.94	-1.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.40	5.05	-0.65
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.55	1.69	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	9.44	10.11	-0.67
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	28.91	38.76	-9.85
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CNXT vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CNXT Sharpe Ratio is 3.75, which is comparable to the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 4.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CNXT 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

	CNXT	SMH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.75	4.94	-1.19
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.11	1.11	-1.00
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.21	1.15	-0.95
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.22	0.34	-0.11

Drawdowns

CNXT vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CNXT drawdown since its inception was -68.98%, smaller than the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CNXT and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	CNXT	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-68.98%	-84.96%	+15.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.21%	-14.93%	+2.72%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-48.60%	-35.74%	-12.86%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-61.21%	-45.30%	-15.91%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-63.30%	-45.30%	-18.00%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.76%	-1.63%	-1.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-42.93%	-41.08%	-1.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.98%	3.89%	+0.09%

Volatility

CNXT vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VanEck Vectors ChinaAMC SME-ChiNext ETF (CNXT) is 10.30%, while VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has a volatility of 11.58%. This indicates that CNXT 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

	CNXT	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.30%	11.58%	-1.28%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.99%	24.35%	-4.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	30.73%	30.57%	+0.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	35.26%	35.01%	+0.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.64%	32.57%	-0.93%

CNXT vs. SMH - Expense Ratio Comparison

CNXT has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than SMH's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

CNXT vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

CNXT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.14%, less than SMH's 0.18% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CNXT VanEck Vectors ChinaAMC SME-ChiNext ETF	0.14%	0.18%	0.15%	0.00%	0.00%	9.22%	0.01%	0.45%	0.00%	0.19%	0.00%	0.00%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	0.18%	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 CNXT and SMH in my portfolio?

CNXT and SMH have a correlation of 0.43, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CNXT or SMH?

SMH has higher volatility (11.58%) compared to CNXT (10.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CNXT dropped -68.98% vs SMH's -84.96%.

Which ETF is better, CNXT or SMH?

On 10-year performance, SMH leads with 37.49% vs 6.57% for CNXT. On fees, SMH is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, CNXT has been the lower-risk option at 10.30%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CNXT or SMH?

Over the 10-year period, SMH has performed better with a 37.49% return vs 6.57%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CNXT or SMH?

SMH is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for CNXT.

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

SMH has the higher dividend yield at 0.18%, compared with 0.14% for CNXT.

What is the main difference between CNXT and SMH?

CNXT is categorized as China Equities, while SMH is Semiconductors. CNXT tracks SME-ChiNext 100 Index, while SMH tracks MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for CNXT and 0.35% for SMH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.94 vs 3.75), 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.