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IAUM vs. SMH
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IAUM vs. SMH

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

IAUM (iShares Gold Trust Micro) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IAUM is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM, while SMH is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, IAUM returned 29.28%/yr vs 60.05%/yr for SMH. At a 0.12 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IAUM charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMH.

Performance

IAUM vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Gold Trust Micro (IAUM) and VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IAUM achieves a -2.40% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 72.15% return.

IAUM

1D
0.10%
1M
-10.19%
YTD
-2.40%
6M
-2.08%
1Y
24.22%
3Y*
29.28%
5Y*
—
10Y*
—

SMH

1D
1.72%
1M
8.30%
YTD
72.15%
6M
75.62%
1Y
136.32%
3Y*
60.05%
5Y*
38.42%
10Y*
37.49%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IAUM vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)20252024202320222021
IAUM
iShares Gold Trust Micro		-2.40%64.27%27.04%13.12%-0.49%3.87%
SMH
VanEck Semiconductor ETF		72.15%49.17%39.10%73.38%-33.53%19.54%

Correlation

The correlation between IAUM and SMH is 0.22, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.22

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.14

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 29, 2021

0.12

The correlation between IAUM and SMH shifts across timeframes, from 0.12 (all time) to 0.22 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IAUM vs. SMH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IAUM
SMH

Real Estate

100.0%

-

Basic Materials

-

-

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Energy

-

-

Financial Services

-

-

Healthcare

-

-

Industrials

-

-

Technology

-

100.0%

Utilities

-

-

Real Estate

IAUM
100.0%
SMH

-

Basic Materials

IAUM

-

SMH

-

Communication Services

IAUM

-

SMH

-

Consumer Cyclical

IAUM

-

SMH

-

Consumer Defensive

IAUM

-

SMH

-

Energy

IAUM

-

SMH

-

Financial Services

IAUM

-

SMH

-

Healthcare

IAUM

-

SMH

-

Industrials

IAUM

-

SMH

-

Technology

IAUM

-

SMH
100.0%

Utilities

IAUM

-

SMH

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares Gold Trust Micro

VanEck Semiconductor ETF

Often compared with IAUM:
IAUM vs. IAUIAUM vs. GLDMIAUM vs. GLDIAUM vs. FSAGXIAUM vs. SGOLIAUM vs. PHYSIAUM vs. SIVR
Often compared with SMH:
SMH vs. SOXXSMH vs. QQQSMH vs. VGTSMH vs. FSELXSMH vs. SPYSMH vs. SMHXSMH vs. XLK

Return for Risk

IAUM vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IAUM
IAUM Risk / Return Rank: 2727
Overall Rank
IAUM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2828
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IAUM Sortino Ratio Rank: 2525
Sortino Ratio Rank
IAUM Omega Ratio Rank: 3131
Omega Ratio Rank
IAUM Calmar Ratio Rank: 2424
Calmar Ratio Rank
IAUM Martin Ratio Rank: 2525
Martin Ratio Rank
SMH
SMH Risk / Return Rank: 9696
Overall Rank
SMH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9797
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SMH Sortino Ratio Rank: 9494
Sortino Ratio Rank
SMH Omega Ratio Rank: 9494
Omega Ratio Rank
SMH Calmar Ratio Rank: 9797
Calmar Ratio Rank
SMH Martin Ratio Rank: 9696
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

IAUM vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Gold Trust Micro (IAUM) 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.

IAUMSMHDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.90
4.13

-3.23

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.26
4.26

-3.00

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.19

1.60

-0.41

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.00

9.18

-8.19

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

2.87

33.74

-30.87

IAUM vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IAUM Sharpe Ratio is 0.90, which is lower than the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 4.13. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IAUM 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.

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Drawdowns

IAUM vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IAUM drawdown since its inception was -24.37%, smaller than the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IAUM and SMH.

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Drawdown Indicators

IAUMSMHDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-24.37%

-84.96%

+60.59%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-24.37%

-14.93%

-9.44%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-24.37%

-35.74%

+11.37%

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

-21.99%

-2.81%

-19.18%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-5.38%

-41.04%

+35.66%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

8.46%

4.06%

+4.40%

Volatility

IAUM vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Gold Trust Micro (IAUM) is 7.71%, while VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has a volatility of 16.25%. This indicates that IAUM 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

IAUMSMHDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

7.71%

16.25%

-8.54%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

23.82%

27.73%

-3.91%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

27.06%

33.20%

-6.14%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

18.05%

35.47%

-17.42%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

18.05%

32.82%

-14.77%

IAUM vs. SMH - Expense Ratio Comparison

IAUM has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than SMH's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

IAUM vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

IAUM has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SMH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.18%.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IAUM
iShares Gold Trust Micro		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		0.18%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

IAUM and SMH have a correlation of 0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

SMH has higher volatility (16.25%) compared to IAUM (7.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IAUM dropped -24.37% vs SMH's -84.96%.

On 3-year performance, SMH leads with 60.05% vs 29.28% for IAUM. On fees, IAUM is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, IAUM has been the lower-risk option at 7.71%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 3-year period, SMH has performed better with a 60.05% return vs 29.28%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IAUM is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for SMH.

SMH has the higher dividend yield at 0.18%, compared with 0.00% for IAUM.

IAUM is categorized as Gold, while SMH is Semiconductors. IAUM tracks LBMA Gold Price PM, while SMH tracks MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for IAUM and 0.35% for SMH.

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.13 vs 0.90), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

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