HERG.L vs. SMH

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

HERG.L (Global X Video Games & Esports UCITS ETF Dist GBP) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HERG.L is a Technology Equities fund tracking the MSCI World/Information Tech NR USD, while SMH is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, HERG.L returned -4.07%/yr vs 40.26%/yr for SMH. At a 0.39 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. HERG.L charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMH.

Performance

HERG.L vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a £10,000 investment in Global X Video Games & Esports UCITS ETF Dist GBP (HERG.L) and VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Different Trading Currencies

HERG.L is traded in GBP, while SMH is traded in USD. To make them comparable, the SMH values have been converted to GBP using the latest available exchange rates.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HERG.L achieves a -14.16% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 74.96% return.

HERG.L

• 1D: -1.57%
• 1M: -3.55%
• YTD: -14.16%
• 6M: -16.63%
• 1Y: -14.51%
• 3Y*: 5.09%
• 5Y*: -4.07%
• 10Y*: —

SMH

• 1D: -1.63%
• 1M: 21.16%
• YTD: 74.96%
• 6M: 72.88%
• 1Y: 152.46%
• 3Y*: 59.84%
• 5Y*: 40.26%
• 10Y*: 38.51%

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

HERG.L vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
HERG.L Global X Video Games & Esports UCITS ETF Dist GBP	-14.16%	15.10%	20.65%	0.14%	-27.54%	-8.40%	-0.53%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	74.96%	38.54%	41.53%	64.71%	-25.63%	43.48%	0.29%

Correlation

The correlation between HERG.L and SMH is 0.38, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.38
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.38
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.39
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 21, 2020	0.39

HERG.L vs. SMH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	HERG.L	SMH
Communication Services	92.4%	-
Technology	5.6%	100.0%
Industrials	2.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

HERG.L vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

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

HERG.L

HERG.L Risk / Return Rank: 3
HERG.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
HERG.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 3
HERG.L Omega Ratio Rank: 3
HERG.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 4
HERG.L Martin Ratio Rank: 4

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.

HERG.L vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X Video Games & Esports UCITS ETF Dist GBP (HERG.L) 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.

	HERG.L	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.83	5.20	-6.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.05	5.27	-6.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.88	1.73	-0.85
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.58	12.26	-12.84
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.08	43.75	-44.83
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HERG.L vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HERG.L Sharpe Ratio is -0.83, which is lower than the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 5.20. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HERG.L 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

	HERG.L	SMH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.83	5.20	-6.03
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.20	1.21	-1.41
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	1.21	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.21	0.84	-1.05

Drawdowns

HERG.L vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HERG.L drawdown since its inception was -48.02%, roughly equal to the maximum SMH drawdown of -47.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HERG.L and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	HERG.L	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-48.02%	-47.21%	-0.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-24.96%	-12.51%	-12.45%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.96%	-35.65%	+10.69%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.40%	-35.65%	-4.75%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.65%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-32.54%	-1.63%	-30.91%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-30.34%	-8.74%	-21.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	13.35%	3.50%	+9.85%

Volatility

HERG.L vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Global X Video Games & Esports UCITS ETF Dist GBP (HERG.L) is 5.04%, while VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has a volatility of 10.92%. This indicates that HERG.L 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

	HERG.L	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.04%	10.92%	-5.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.20%	22.94%	-8.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.55%	29.49%	-11.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.13%	33.48%	-13.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.40%	31.88%	-11.48%

HERG.L vs. SMH - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

HERG.L vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

HERG.L's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.97%, more than SMH's 0.18% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HERG.L Global X Video Games & Esports UCITS ETF Dist GBP	0.97%	0.24%	0.37%	0.00%	0.01%	0.07%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	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 HERG.L and SMH in my portfolio?

HERG.L and SMH have a correlation of 0.38, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, HERG.L or SMH?

On fees, SMH is cheaper at 0.35% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, HERG.L or SMH?

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

What is the main difference between HERG.L and SMH?

HERG.L is categorized as Technology Equities, while SMH is Semiconductors. HERG.L tracks MSCI World/Information Tech NR USD, while SMH tracks MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. They also come from different issuers: Global X and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for HERG.L and 0.35% for SMH.