IBOT vs. SMHX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IBOT (VanEck Robotics ETF) and SMHX (VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IBOT is a Technology Equities fund tracking the BlueStar® Robotics Index, while SMHX is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MarketVector™ US Listed Fabless Semiconductor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, IBOT returned 57.26% vs 139.42% for SMHX. Their correlation of 0.80 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IBOT charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMHX.

Performance

IBOT vs. SMHX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Robotics ETF (IBOT) and VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF (SMHX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IBOT achieves a 27.73% return, which is significantly lower than SMHX's 78.44% return.

IBOT

• 1D: 0.33%
• 1M: 8.89%
• YTD: 27.73%
• 6M: 28.82%
• 1Y: 57.26%
• 3Y*: 23.27%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SMHX

• 1D: 0.94%
• 1M: 33.64%
• YTD: 78.44%
• 6M: 72.62%
• 1Y: 139.42%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

IBOT vs. SMHX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
IBOT VanEck Robotics ETF	27.73%	28.57%	-3.99%
SMHX VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF	78.44%	30.00%	17.76%

Correlation

The correlation between IBOT and SMHX is 0.78, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 29, 2024	0.80

The correlation between IBOT and SMHX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.

IBOT vs. SMHX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IBOT	SMHX
Technology	51.0%	100.0%
Industrials	43.0%	-
Energy	2.8%	-
Consumer Cyclical	2.3%	-
Healthcare	0.9%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

IBOT vs. SMHX — Risk / Return Rank

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

IBOT

IBOT Risk / Return Rank: 74
IBOT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
IBOT Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
IBOT Omega Ratio Rank: 72
IBOT Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
IBOT Martin Ratio Rank: 74

SMHX

SMHX Risk / Return Rank: 93
SMHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
SMHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
SMHX Omega Ratio Rank: 90
SMHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
SMHX Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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. SMHX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	IBOT	SMHX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.63	4.30	-1.67
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.46	4.50	-1.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.59	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.44	8.22	-4.79
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.10	23.13	-9.03
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IBOT vs. SMHX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IBOT Sharpe Ratio is 2.63, which is lower than the SMHX Sharpe Ratio of 4.30. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IBOT and SMHX, 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

	IBOT	SMHX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.63	4.30	-1.67
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.19	1.94	-0.76

Drawdowns

IBOT vs. SMHX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IBOT drawdown since its inception was -25.39%, smaller than the maximum SMHX drawdown of -38.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IBOT and SMHX.

Drawdown Indicators

	IBOT	SMHX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.39%	-38.53%	+13.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.74%	-17.06%	+0.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.39%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.04%	-7.33%	+2.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.07%	6.05%	-1.98%

Volatility

IBOT vs. SMHX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VanEck Robotics ETF (IBOT) is 7.25%, while VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF (SMHX) has a volatility of 11.81%. This indicates that IBOT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SMHX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IBOT	SMHX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.25%	11.81%	-4.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.59%	25.06%	-7.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.86%	32.69%	-10.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.09%	39.97%	-17.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.09%	39.97%	-17.88%

IBOT vs. SMHX - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

IBOT vs. SMHX - Dividend Comparison

IBOT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.30%, more than SMHX's 0.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
IBOT VanEck Robotics ETF	0.30%	0.38%	2.81%	2.06%
SMHX VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF	0.01%	0.02%	0.04%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IBOT and SMHX in my portfolio?

IBOT and SMHX have a correlation of 0.78, 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 SMHX?

SMHX has higher volatility (11.81%) compared to IBOT (7.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IBOT dropped -25.39% vs SMHX's -38.53%.

Which ETF is better, IBOT or SMHX?

On 1-year performance, SMHX leads with 139.42% vs 57.26% for IBOT. On fees, SMHX is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, IBOT has been the lower-risk option at 7.25%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IBOT or SMHX?

Over the 1-year period, SMHX has performed better with a 139.42% return vs 57.26%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IBOT or SMHX?

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

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

IBOT has the higher dividend yield at 0.30%, compared with 0.01% for SMHX.

What is the main difference between IBOT and SMHX?

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMHX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.30 vs 2.63), 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.