DTEC vs. SMH

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DTEC (ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DTEC is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Indxx Disruptive Technologies Index, while SMH is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, DTEC returned 1.86%/yr vs 39.21%/yr for SMH. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DTEC charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMH.

Performance

DTEC vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF (DTEC) 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, DTEC achieves a 3.04% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 77.13% return.

DTEC

• 1D: -2.82%
• 1M: 7.50%
• YTD: 3.04%
• 6M: 1.62%
• 1Y: 5.25%
• 3Y*: 9.62%
• 5Y*: 1.86%
• 10Y*: —

SMH

• 1D: 0.90%
• 1M: 25.87%
• YTD: 77.13%
• 6M: 75.61%
• 1Y: 157.20%
• 3Y*: 64.17%
• 5Y*: 39.21%
• 10Y*: 37.68%

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

DTEC vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
DTEC ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF	3.04%	7.21%	9.89%	25.03%	-31.29%	4.89%	44.12%	35.44%	-4.96%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	77.13%	49.17%	39.10%	73.38%	-33.53%	42.13%	55.53%	64.45%	-9.05%

Correlation

The correlation between DTEC and SMH is 0.48, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.48
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.62
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2018	0.73

Over the past year, the correlation between DTEC and SMH has dropped to 0.48 - well below their long-term average of 0.73, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

DTEC vs. SMH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DTEC	SMH
Technology	60.0%	100.0%
Industrials	13.7%	-
Healthcare	10.4%	-
Financial Services	8.5%	-
Energy	3.5%	-
Utilities	3.1%	-
Communication Services	2.2%	-
Real Estate	1.1%	-
Consumer Cyclical	1.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-

Return for Risk

DTEC vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

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

DTEC

DTEC Risk / Return Rank: 12
DTEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
DTEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
DTEC Omega Ratio Rank: 12
DTEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 12
DTEC Martin Ratio Rank: 12

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: 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.

DTEC vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF (DTEC) 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.

	DTEC	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.29	5.19	-4.90
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.52	5.22	-4.70
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.06	1.72	-0.66
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.26	10.59	-10.33
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.60	40.63	-40.02
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DTEC vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DTEC Sharpe Ratio is 0.29, which is lower than the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 5.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DTEC 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

	DTEC	SMH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.29	5.19	-4.90
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.08	1.13	-1.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	1.16	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	0.34	+0.04

Drawdowns

DTEC vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DTEC drawdown since its inception was -42.00%, smaller than the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DTEC and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	DTEC	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.00%	-84.96%	+42.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-20.31%	-14.93%	-5.38%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.47%	-35.74%	+14.27%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-42.00%	-45.30%	+3.30%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-45.30%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.09%	0.00%	-5.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.31%	-41.09%	+27.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.71%	3.89%	+4.82%

Volatility

DTEC vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF (DTEC) is 6.58%, while VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has a volatility of 11.47%. This indicates that DTEC 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

	DTEC	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.58%	11.47%	-4.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.30%	24.29%	-9.99%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.33%	30.56%	-12.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.07%	35.01%	-12.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.89%	32.57%	-9.68%

DTEC vs. SMH - Expense Ratio Comparison

DTEC has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than SMH's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

DTEC vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

DTEC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.04%, less than SMH's 0.17% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DTEC ALPS Disruptive Technologies ETF	0.04%	0.04%	0.45%	0.27%	0.02%	0.26%	0.37%	0.43%	0.33%	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 DTEC and SMH in my portfolio?

DTEC and SMH have a correlation of 0.48, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DTEC or SMH?

SMH has higher volatility (11.47%) compared to DTEC (6.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DTEC dropped -42.00% vs SMH's -84.96%.

Which ETF is better, DTEC or SMH?

On 5-year performance, SMH leads with 39.21% vs 1.86% for DTEC. On fees, SMH is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, DTEC has been the lower-risk option at 6.58%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DTEC or SMH?

Over the 5-year period, SMH has performed better with a 39.21% return vs 1.86%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DTEC or SMH?

SMH is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for DTEC.

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

SMH has the higher dividend yield at 0.17%, compared with 0.04% for DTEC.

What is the main difference between DTEC and SMH?

DTEC is categorized as Technology Equities, while SMH is Semiconductors. DTEC tracks Indxx Disruptive Technologies Index, while SMH tracks MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. They also come from different issuers: SS&C and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for DTEC and 0.35% for SMH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.19 vs 0.29), 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.