GSK vs. SMH

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GSK (GlaxoSmithKline plc) is a stock, while SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) is Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. Over the past 10 years, GSK returned 3.96%/yr vs 37.68%/yr for SMH. At a 0.28 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

GSK vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK) 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, GSK achieves a 3.01% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 77.13% return. Over the past 10 years, GSK has underperformed SMH with an annualized return of 3.96%, while SMH has yielded a comparatively higher 37.68% annualized return.

GSK

• 1D: 1.47%
• 1M: -1.55%
• YTD: 3.01%
• 6M: 3.15%
• 1Y: 27.33%
• 3Y*: 17.89%
• 5Y*: 4.64%
• 10Y*: 3.96%

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)

GSK vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GSK GlaxoSmithKline plc	3.01%	51.23%	-5.14%	9.71%	-33.41%	26.74%	-17.72%	29.24%	13.79%	-2.97%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	77.13%	49.17%	39.10%	73.38%	-33.53%	42.13%	55.53%	64.45%	-9.05%	38.48%

Correlation

The correlation between GSK and SMH is 0.08, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.08
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.08
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.12
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.19
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 6, 2000	0.28

The correlation between GSK and SMH shifts across timeframes, from 0.08 (3 years) to 0.28 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

GSK vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

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

GSK

GSK Risk / Return Rank: 68
GSK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
GSK Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
GSK Omega Ratio Rank: 64
GSK Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
GSK Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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.

GSK vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK) 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.

	GSK	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.03	5.19	-4.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.57	5.22	-3.64
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.72	-0.53
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.47	10.59	-9.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.45	40.63	-37.17
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GSK vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GSK Sharpe Ratio is 1.03, which is lower than the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 5.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GSK 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

	GSK	SMH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.03	5.19	-4.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.19	1.13	-0.94
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.17	1.16	-0.99
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.32	0.34	-0.02

Drawdowns

GSK vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GSK drawdown since its inception was -55.70%, smaller than the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GSK and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	GSK	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.70%	-84.96%	+29.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.63%	-14.93%	-3.70%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.46%	-35.74%	+7.28%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-50.10%	-45.30%	-4.80%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-50.10%	-45.30%	-4.80%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-17.43%	0.00%	-17.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.87%	-41.09%	+22.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.94%	3.89%	+4.05%

Volatility

GSK vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK) is 5.40%, while VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has a volatility of 11.47%. This indicates that GSK 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

	GSK	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.40%	11.47%	-6.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.38%	24.29%	-5.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.84%	30.56%	-3.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.01%	35.01%	-10.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.86%	32.57%	-9.71%

Dividends

GSK vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

GSK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.48%, more than SMH's 0.17% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GSK GlaxoSmithKline plc	3.48%	3.42%	4.60%	3.75%	5.47%	4.99%	5.59%	4.35%	5.65%	5.83%	6.86%	5.93%
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 GSK and SMH in my portfolio?

GSK and SMH have a correlation of 0.08, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GSK or SMH?

SMH has higher volatility (11.47%) compared to GSK (5.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GSK dropped -55.70% vs SMH's -84.96%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.19 vs 1.03), 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.