IGV vs. SMHX

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ET (IGV) and VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF (SMHX).

IGV and SMHX are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. IGV is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the S&P North American Technology-Software Index. It was launched on Jul 10, 2001. SMHX is a passively managed fund by VanEck that tracks the performance of the MarketVector™ US Listed Fabless Semiconductor Index. It was launched on Aug 27, 2024. Both IGV and SMHX are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

IGV vs. SMHX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ET (IGV) and VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF (SMHX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

IGV vs. SMHX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
IGV iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ET	-24.26%	5.56%	17.44%
SMHX VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF	-2.14%	30.00%	17.76%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IGV achieves a -24.26% return, which is significantly lower than SMHX's -2.14% return.

IGV

• 1D: 3.13%
• 1M: -1.86%
• YTD: -24.26%
• 6M: -30.40%
• 1Y: -10.05%
• 3Y*: 9.52%
• 5Y*: 2.75%
• 10Y*: 14.82%

SMHX

• 1D: 6.30%
• 1M: -3.11%
• YTD: -2.14%
• 6M: -2.75%
• 1Y: 59.42%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

IGV vs. SMHX - Expense Ratio Comparison

IGV has a 0.46% expense ratio, which is higher than SMHX's 0.35% expense ratio.

IGV

iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ET

SMHX

VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF

Return for Risk

IGV vs. SMHX — Risk / Return Rank

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

IGV

IGV Risk / Return Rank: 6
IGV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
IGV Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
IGV Omega Ratio Rank: 6
IGV Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
IGV Martin Ratio Rank: 6

SMHX

SMHX Risk / Return Rank: 85
SMHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
SMHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
SMHX Omega Ratio Rank: 81
SMHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
SMHX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

IGV vs. SMHX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ET (IGV) 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.

	IGV	SMHX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.35	1.52	-1.87
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-0.32	2.16	-2.48
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.96	1.30	-0.34
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.31	3.30	-3.61
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-0.81	8.92	-9.73
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IGV vs. SMHX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IGV Sharpe Ratio is -0.35, which is lower than the SMHX Sharpe Ratio of 1.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IGV and SMHX, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	IGV	SMHX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.35	1.52	-1.87
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.10	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.33	0.74	-0.40

Correlation

The correlation between IGV and SMHX is 0.66, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

IGV vs. SMHX - Dividend Comparison

IGV has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SMHX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.02%.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IGV iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ET	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.01%	0.01%	0.00%	0.35%	0.02%	0.16%	0.09%	0.82%	0.22%
SMHX VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF	0.02%	0.02%	0.04%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

IGV vs. SMHX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IGV drawdown since its inception was -63.45%, which is greater than SMHX's maximum drawdown of -38.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IGV and SMHX.

Drawdown Indicators

	IGV	SMHX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.45%	-38.53%	-24.92%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-34.72%	-17.51%	-17.21%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-45.85%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.85%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-32.04%	-11.83%	-20.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.37%	-7.94%	-6.43%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	13.51%	6.47%	+7.04%

Volatility

IGV vs. SMHX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ET (IGV) is 8.65%, while VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF (SMHX) has a volatility of 11.72%. This indicates that IGV 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

	IGV	SMHX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.65%	11.72%	-3.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.69%	24.44%	-4.75%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.43%	39.38%	-10.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.10%	39.83%	-12.73%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.89%	39.83%	-13.94%