FITE vs. SMH

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

FITE (SPDR S&P Kensho Future Security ETF) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FITE is a Technology Equities fund tracking the S&P Kensho Future Security Index, while SMH is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FITE returned 18.73%/yr vs 39.58%/yr for SMH. A 0.66 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FITE charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMH.

Performance

FITE vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P Kensho Future Security ETF (FITE) 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, FITE achieves a 38.91% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 75.55% return.

FITE

• 1D: 1.18%
• 1M: 24.61%
• YTD: 38.91%
• 6M: 44.36%
• 1Y: 70.32%
• 3Y*: 35.56%
• 5Y*: 18.73%
• 10Y*: —

SMH

• 1D: 4.01%
• 1M: 24.01%
• YTD: 75.55%
• 6M: 76.44%
• 1Y: 160.66%
• 3Y*: 63.68%
• 5Y*: 39.58%
• 10Y*: 37.55%

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

FITE vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FITE SPDR S&P Kensho Future Security ETF	38.91%	27.73%	21.63%	28.48%	-17.98%	14.45%	20.38%	33.96%	-0.53%	-0.35%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	75.55%	49.17%	39.10%	73.38%	-33.53%	42.13%	55.53%	64.45%	-9.05%	-0.56%

Correlation

The correlation between FITE and SMH is 0.54, 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	0.54
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.58
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 28, 2017	0.66

The correlation between FITE and SMH shifts across timeframes, from 0.54 (1 year) to 0.66 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FITE vs. SMH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FITE	SMH
Technology	55.1%	100.0%
Industrials	36.1%	-
Communication Services	4.3%	-
Healthcare	2.3%	-
Energy	2.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

FITE vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

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

FITE

FITE Risk / Return Rank: 79
FITE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
FITE Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
FITE Omega Ratio Rank: 73
FITE Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
FITE Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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: 97

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.

FITE vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Kensho Future Security ETF (FITE) 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.

	FITE	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.88	5.29	-2.41
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.64	5.29	-1.65
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.73	-0.29
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.68	11.02	-6.34
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	13.80	42.34	-28.54
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FITE vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FITE Sharpe Ratio is 2.88, which is lower than the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 5.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FITE 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

	FITE	SMH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.88	5.29	-2.41
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84	1.14	-0.30
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	1.16	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.80	0.34	+0.47

Drawdowns

FITE vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FITE drawdown since its inception was -36.90%, smaller than the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FITE and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	FITE	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.90%	-84.96%	+48.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.35%	-14.93%	-0.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.07%	-35.74%	+13.67%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.14%	-45.30%	+18.16%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-45.30%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.40%	-41.09%	+33.69%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.20%	3.89%	+1.31%

Volatility

FITE vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR S&P Kensho Future Security ETF (FITE) is 7.23%, while VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has a volatility of 11.59%. This indicates that FITE 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

	FITE	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.23%	11.59%	-4.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.71%	24.29%	-4.58%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.57%	30.57%	-6.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.37%	35.02%	-12.65%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.03%	32.58%	-9.55%

FITE vs. SMH - Expense Ratio Comparison

FITE has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than SMH's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

FITE vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

FITE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.15%, less than SMH's 0.17% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FITE SPDR S&P Kensho Future Security ETF	0.15%	0.23%	0.12%	0.13%	0.12%	0.92%	0.88%	0.44%	1.79%	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 FITE and SMH in my portfolio?

FITE and SMH have a correlation of 0.54, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FITE or SMH?

SMH has higher volatility (11.59%) compared to FITE (7.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FITE dropped -36.90% vs SMH's -84.96%.

Which ETF is better, FITE or SMH?

On 5-year performance, SMH leads with 39.58% vs 18.73% for FITE. On fees, SMH is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, FITE has been the lower-risk option at 7.23%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FITE or SMH?

Over the 5-year period, SMH has performed better with a 39.58% return vs 18.73%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FITE or SMH?

SMH is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for FITE.

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

SMH has the higher dividend yield at 0.17%, compared with 0.15% for FITE.

What is the main difference between FITE and SMH?

FITE is categorized as Technology Equities, while SMH is Semiconductors. FITE tracks S&P Kensho Future Security Index, while SMH tracks MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for FITE and 0.35% for SMH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.29 vs 2.88), 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.