IBOT vs. SMH

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

IBOT (VanEck Robotics ETF) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IBOT is a Technology Equities fund tracking the BlueStar® Robotics Index, while SMH is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, IBOT returned 22.31%/yr vs 62.28%/yr for SMH. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IBOT charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMH.

Performance

IBOT vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Robotics ETF (IBOT) 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, IBOT achieves a 24.93% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 72.73% return.

IBOT

• 1D: -4.75%
• 1M: -0.26%
• YTD: 24.93%
• 6M: 24.39%
• 1Y: 50.48%
• 3Y*: 22.31%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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%

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

IBOT vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
IBOT VanEck Robotics ETF	24.93%	28.57%	6.39%	19.46%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	72.73%	49.17%	39.10%	38.98%

Correlation

The correlation between IBOT and SMH is 0.84, 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	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 6, 2023	0.84

The correlation between IBOT and SMH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

IBOT vs. SMH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IBOT	SMH
Technology	51.6%	100.0%
Industrials	43.3%	-
Energy	2.2%	-
Consumer Cyclical	2.2%	-
Healthcare	0.7%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

IBOT vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

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

IBOT

IBOT Risk / Return Rank: 66
IBOT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
IBOT Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
IBOT Omega Ratio Rank: 64
IBOT Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
IBOT Martin Ratio Rank: 69

SMH

SMH Risk / Return Rank: 94
SMH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
SMH Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
SMH Omega Ratio Rank: 92
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.

IBOT vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Robotics ETF (IBOT) 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.

	IBOT	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.14	3.99	-1.85
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.81	4.05	-1.24
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.58	-0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.03	9.31	-6.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.22	33.88	-21.65

IBOT vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IBOT Sharpe Ratio is 2.14, which is lower than the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 3.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IBOT 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.

Drawdowns

IBOT vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IBOT drawdown since its inception was -25.39%, smaller than the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IBOT and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	IBOT	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.39%	-84.96%	+59.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.74%	-14.93%	-1.81%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.39%	-35.74%	+10.35%
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	-4.75%	-7.01%	+2.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.99%	-41.01%	+36.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.14%	4.10%	+0.04%

Volatility

IBOT vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VanEck Robotics ETF (IBOT) is 10.69%, while VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has a volatility of 19.08%. This indicates that IBOT 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

	IBOT	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.69%	19.08%	-8.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.76%	29.18%	-9.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.70%	34.87%	-11.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.58%	35.83%	-13.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.58%	32.97%	-10.39%

IBOT vs. SMH - Expense Ratio Comparison

IBOT has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is higher than SMH's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

IBOT vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

IBOT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.30%, more than SMH's 0.18% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IBOT VanEck Robotics ETF	0.30%	0.38%	2.81%	2.06%	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

Can I hold both IBOT and SMH in my portfolio?

IBOT and SMH have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IBOT or SMH?

SMH has higher volatility (19.08%) compared to IBOT (10.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IBOT dropped -25.39% vs SMH's -84.96%.

Which ETF is better, IBOT or SMH?

On 3-year performance, SMH leads with 62.28% vs 22.31% for IBOT. On fees, SMH is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, IBOT has been the lower-risk option at 10.69%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IBOT or SMH?

Over the 3-year period, SMH has performed better with a 62.28% return vs 22.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IBOT or SMH?

SMH is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.47% for IBOT.

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

IBOT has the higher dividend yield at 0.30%, compared with 0.18% for SMH.

What is the main difference between IBOT and SMH?

IBOT is categorized as Technology Equities, while SMH is Semiconductors. IBOT tracks BlueStar® Robotics Index, while SMH tracks MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for IBOT and 0.35% for SMH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.99 vs 2.14), 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.