GTEK vs. SMH

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

GTEK (Goldman Sachs Future Tech Leaders Equity ETF) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GTEK is a Technology Equities fund actively managed by Goldman Sachs, while SMH is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. GTEK is actively managed, while SMH is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, GTEK returned 34.93%/yr vs 63.68%/yr for SMH. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GTEK charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMH.

Performance

GTEK vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Goldman Sachs Future Tech Leaders Equity ETF (GTEK) 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, GTEK achieves a 54.10% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 75.55% return.

GTEK

• 1D: 1.34%
• 1M: 17.20%
• YTD: 54.10%
• 6M: 55.31%
• 1Y: 83.80%
• 3Y*: 34.93%
• 5Y*: —
• 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)

GTEK vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
GTEK Goldman Sachs Future Tech Leaders Equity ETF	54.10%	23.68%	15.94%	33.58%	-46.73%	-3.14%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	75.55%	49.17%	39.10%	73.38%	-33.53%	12.54%

Correlation

The correlation between GTEK and SMH is 0.79, 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	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 17, 2021	0.83

The correlation between GTEK and SMH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

GTEK vs. SMH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GTEK	SMH
Technology	76.3%	100.0%
Industrials	7.1%	-
Communication Services	3.6%	-
Basic Materials	3.2%	-
Consumer Cyclical	2.9%	-
Real Estate	2.6%	-
Healthcare	1.2%	-
Financial Services	0.8%	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

GTEK vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

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

GTEK

GTEK Risk / Return Rank: 89
GTEK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
GTEK Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
GTEK Omega Ratio Rank: 82
GTEK Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
GTEK Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

GTEK vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Goldman Sachs Future Tech Leaders Equity ETF (GTEK) 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.

	GTEK	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.25	5.29	-2.04
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.93	5.29	-1.35
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	1.73	-0.22
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	7.70	11.02	-3.32
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	25.04	42.34	-17.30
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GTEK vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GTEK Sharpe Ratio is 3.25, which is lower than the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 5.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GTEK 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

	GTEK	SMH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.25	5.29	-2.04
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.14	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	1.16	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.33	0.34	-0.01

Drawdowns

GTEK vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GTEK drawdown since its inception was -53.77%, smaller than the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GTEK and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	GTEK	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.77%	-84.96%	+31.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.13%	-14.93%	+3.80%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.49%	-35.74%	+8.25%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-45.30%	—
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	-27.54%	-41.09%	+13.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.42%	3.89%	-0.47%

Volatility

GTEK vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Goldman Sachs Future Tech Leaders Equity ETF (GTEK) is 9.25%, while VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has a volatility of 11.59%. This indicates that GTEK 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

	GTEK	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.25%	11.59%	-2.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.77%	24.29%	-2.52%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.94%	30.57%	-4.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.31%	35.02%	-6.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.31%	32.58%	-4.27%

GTEK vs. SMH - Expense Ratio Comparison

GTEK has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than SMH's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

GTEK vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

GTEK has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SMH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.17%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GTEK Goldman Sachs Future Tech Leaders Equity ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.26%	0.03%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	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 GTEK and SMH in my portfolio?

GTEK and SMH have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GTEK or SMH?

SMH has higher volatility (11.59%) compared to GTEK (9.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GTEK dropped -53.77% vs SMH's -84.96%.

Which ETF is better, GTEK or SMH?

On 3-year performance, SMH leads with 63.68% vs 34.93% for GTEK. On fees, SMH is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, GTEK has been the lower-risk option at 9.25%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GTEK or SMH?

Over the 3-year period, SMH has performed better with a 63.68% return vs 34.93%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GTEK or SMH?

SMH is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for GTEK.

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

SMH has the higher dividend yield at 0.17%, compared with 0.00% for GTEK.

What is the main difference between GTEK and SMH?

GTEK is categorized as Technology Equities, while SMH is Semiconductors. They also come from different issuers: Goldman Sachs and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for GTEK and 0.35% for SMH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.29 vs 3.25), 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.