HNSC.L vs. SMH

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

HNSC.L (HSBC Nasdaq Global Semiconductor UCITS ETF USD) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both Semiconductors funds - HNSC.L tracks the Nasdaq Global Semiconductor while SMH tracks the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, HNSC.L returned 63.81%/yr vs 64.17%/yr for SMH. A 0.55 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.35% expense ratio.

Performance

HNSC.L vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in HSBC Nasdaq Global Semiconductor UCITS ETF USD (HNSC.L) 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, HNSC.L achieves a 98.34% return, which is significantly higher than SMH's 77.13% return.

HNSC.L

• 1D: 1.63%
• 1M: 30.01%
• YTD: 98.34%
• 6M: 101.55%
• 1Y: 205.51%
• 3Y*: 63.81%
• 5Y*: —
• 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)

HNSC.L vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
HNSC.L HSBC Nasdaq Global Semiconductor UCITS ETF USD	98.34%	55.83%	17.71%	50.92%	-18.53%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	77.13%	49.17%	39.10%	73.38%	-24.81%

Correlation

The correlation between HNSC.L and SMH is 0.81, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 8, 2022	0.55

Over the past year, HNSC.L and SMH have become more correlated (0.81) than their long-term average of 0.55, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

HNSC.L vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

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

HNSC.L

HNSC.L Risk / Return Rank: 97
HNSC.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
HNSC.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
HNSC.L Omega Ratio Rank: 96
HNSC.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
HNSC.L Martin Ratio Rank: 97

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.

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

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for HSBC Nasdaq Global Semiconductor UCITS ETF USD (HNSC.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.

	HNSC.L	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	6.16	5.19	+0.97
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	6.06	5.22	+0.84
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.78	1.72	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	13.62	10.59	+3.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	49.03	40.63	+8.41
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HNSC.L vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HNSC.L Sharpe Ratio is 6.16, which is comparable to the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 5.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HNSC.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

	HNSC.L	SMH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.16	5.19	+0.97
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.13	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	1.16	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.66	0.34	+1.32

Drawdowns

HNSC.L vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HNSC.L drawdown since its inception was -39.32%, smaller than the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HNSC.L and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	HNSC.L	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.32%	-84.96%	+45.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.99%	-14.93%	-0.06%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-37.21%	-35.74%	-1.47%
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	-9.52%	-41.09%	+31.57%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.17%	3.89%	+0.28%

Volatility

HNSC.L vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

HSBC Nasdaq Global Semiconductor UCITS ETF USD (HNSC.L) has a higher volatility of 14.12% compared to VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) at 11.47%. This indicates that HNSC.L's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SMH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HNSC.L	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.12%	11.47%	+2.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	25.99%	24.29%	+1.70%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	33.21%	30.56%	+2.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	37.72%	35.01%	+2.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	37.72%	32.57%	+5.15%

HNSC.L vs. SMH - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both HNSC.L and SMH have an expense ratio of 0.35%.

Dividends

HNSC.L vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

HNSC.L 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
HNSC.L HSBC Nasdaq Global Semiconductor UCITS ETF USD	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	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 HNSC.L and SMH in my portfolio?

HNSC.L and SMH have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, HNSC.L or SMH?

Both ETFs have the same 0.35% expense ratio. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, HNSC.L or SMH?

HNSC.L and SMH have the same expense ratio: 0.35% per year.

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

HNSC.L tracks Nasdaq Global Semiconductor, while SMH tracks MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. They also come from different issuers: HSBC and VanEck.