IETC vs. SMH

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

IETC (iShares U.S. Tech Independence Focused ETF) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IETC is a Technology Equities fund actively managed by iShares, while SMH is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. IETC is actively managed, while SMH is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IETC returned 15.73%/yr vs 38.42%/yr for SMH. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IETC charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMH.

Performance

IETC vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares U.S. Tech Independence Focused ETF (IETC) 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, IETC achieves a 4.48% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 72.15% return.

IETC

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: 0.03%
• YTD: 4.48%
• 6M: 4.29%
• 1Y: 17.62%
• 3Y*: 25.69%
• 5Y*: 15.73%
• 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)

IETC vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
IETC iShares U.S. Tech Independence Focused ETF	4.48%	19.56%	37.57%	54.35%	-32.78%	29.73%	46.59%	43.09%	-3.75%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	72.15%	49.17%	39.10%	73.38%	-33.53%	42.13%	55.53%	64.45%	-17.32%

Correlation

The correlation between IETC and SMH is 0.71, 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	0.71
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 23, 2018	0.82

The correlation between IETC and SMH shifts across timeframes, from 0.71 (1 year) to 0.85 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IETC vs. SMH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IETC	SMH
Technology	79.1%	100.0%
Communication Services	8.4%	-
Consumer Cyclical	4.7%	-
Industrials	3.7%	-
Financial Services	3.1%	-
Real Estate	0.7%	-
Healthcare	0.1%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

IETC vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

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

IETC

IETC Risk / Return Rank: 23
IETC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
IETC Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
IETC Omega Ratio Rank: 24
IETC Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
IETC Martin Ratio Rank: 21

SMH

SMH Risk / Return Rank: 96
SMH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
SMH Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
SMH Omega Ratio Rank: 94
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.

IETC vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Tech Independence Focused ETF (IETC) 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.

	IETC	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.80	4.13	-3.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.18	4.26	-3.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.60	-0.45
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.84	9.18	-8.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.30	33.74	-31.44

IETC vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IETC Sharpe Ratio is 0.80, which is lower than the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 4.13. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IETC 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

IETC vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IETC drawdown since its inception was -38.48%, smaller than the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IETC and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	IETC	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.48%	-84.96%	+46.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.19%	-14.93%	-6.26%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.17%	-35.74%	+10.57%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.48%	-45.30%	+6.82%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-45.30%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.32%	-2.81%	-7.51%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.14%	-41.04%	+32.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.67%	4.06%	+3.61%

Volatility

IETC vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares U.S. Tech Independence Focused ETF (IETC) is 9.62%, while VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has a volatility of 16.25%. This indicates that IETC 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

	IETC	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.62%	16.25%	-6.63%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.85%	27.73%	-9.88%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.11%	33.20%	-11.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.70%	35.47%	-10.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.44%	32.82%	-7.38%

IETC vs. SMH - Expense Ratio Comparison

IETC has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is lower than SMH's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

IETC vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

IETC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.37%, more than SMH's 0.18% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IETC iShares U.S. Tech Independence Focused ETF	0.37%	0.38%	0.52%	0.79%	0.92%	0.73%	0.48%	0.95%	1.27%	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 IETC and SMH in my portfolio?

IETC and SMH have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IETC or SMH?

SMH has higher volatility (16.25%) compared to IETC (9.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IETC dropped -38.48% vs SMH's -84.96%.

Which ETF is better, IETC or SMH?

On 5-year performance, SMH leads with 38.42% vs 15.73% for IETC. On fees, IETC is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, IETC has been the lower-risk option at 9.62%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IETC or SMH?

Over the 5-year period, SMH has performed better with a 38.42% return vs 15.73%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IETC or SMH?

IETC is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for SMH.

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

IETC has the higher dividend yield at 0.37%, compared with 0.18% for SMH.

What is the main difference between IETC and SMH?

IETC is categorized as Technology Equities, while SMH is Semiconductors. They also come from different issuers: iShares and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for IETC and 0.35% for SMH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.13 vs 0.80), 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.