HRB vs. SMH
HRB (H&R Block, Inc.) is a stock, while SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) is Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. Over the past 10 years, HRB returned 9.07%/yr vs 37.85%/yr for SMH. At a 0.28 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
HRB vs. SMH - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, HRB achieves a -15.66% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 72.73% return. Over the past 10 years, HRB has underperformed SMH with an annualized return of 9.07%, while SMH has yielded a comparatively higher 37.85% annualized return.
HRB
- 1D
- 5.38%
- 1M
- -6.75%
- YTD
- -15.66%
- 6M
- -15.12%
- 1Y
- -32.36%
- 3Y*
- 6.60%
- 5Y*
- 11.86%
- 10Y*
- 9.07%
SMH
- 1D
- -7.01%
- 1M
- 7.93%
- YTD
- 72.73%
- 6M
- 71.29%
- 1Y
- 138.23%
- 3Y*
- 62.28%
- 5Y*
- 38.18%
- 10Y*
- 37.85%
HRB vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HRB H&R Block, Inc. | -15.66% | -14.88% | 12.03% | 36.87% | 59.94% | 55.43% | -27.97% | -3.55% | 0.49% | 18.22% |
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF | 72.73% | 49.17% | 39.10% | 73.38% | -33.53% | 42.13% | 55.53% | 64.45% | -9.05% | 38.48% |
Correlation
The correlation between HRB and SMH is -0.25, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.25 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.01 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.12 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.17 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 5, 2000 | 0.28 |
The correlation between HRB and SMH shifts across timeframes, from -0.25 (1 year) to 0.28 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
HRB vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank
HRB
SMH
HRB vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for H&R Block, Inc. (HRB) 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| HRB | SMH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -4.78 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -5.26 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.86 | 1.58 | -0.72 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.66 | 9.31 | -9.97 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -1.17 | 33.88 | -35.04 |
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Drawdowns
HRB vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum HRB drawdown since its inception was -62.08%, smaller than the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HRB and SMH.
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Drawdown Indicators
| HRB | SMH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -62.08% | -84.96% | +22.88% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -49.16% | -14.93% | -34.23% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -55.54% | -35.74% | -19.80% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -55.54% | -45.30% | -10.24% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -57.72% | -45.30% | -12.42% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -42.34% | -7.01% | -35.33% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -18.66% | -41.01% | +22.35% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 27.74% | 4.10% | +23.64% |
Volatility
HRB vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for H&R Block, Inc. (HRB) is 10.18%, while VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has a volatility of 19.08%. This indicates that HRB 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.
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Volatility by Period
| HRB | SMH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 10.18% | 19.08% | -8.90% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 35.74% | 29.18% | +6.56% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 41.01% | 34.87% | +6.14% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 33.05% | 35.83% | -2.78% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 35.85% | 32.97% | +2.88% |
Dividends
HRB vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison
HRB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.68%, more than SMH's 0.18% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HRB H&R Block, Inc. | 4.68% | 3.65% | 2.63% | 2.52% | 3.07% | 4.54% | 6.56% | 4.39% | 3.90% | 3.59% | 3.74% | 2.40% |
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
HRB and SMH have a correlation of -0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SMH has higher volatility (19.08%) compared to HRB (10.18%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HRB dropped -62.08% vs SMH's -84.96%.
SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.99 vs -0.79), 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.
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