ITEQ vs. SMH

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

ITEQ (BlueStar Israel Technology ETF) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ITEQ is a Technology Equities fund tracking the BlueStar Israel Global Technology Index, while SMH is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ITEQ returned 10.76%/yr vs 37.85%/yr for SMH. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ITEQ charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMH.

Performance

ITEQ vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlueStar Israel Technology ETF (ITEQ) 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, ITEQ achieves a 10.21% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 72.73% return. Over the past 10 years, ITEQ has underperformed SMH with an annualized return of 10.76%, while SMH has yielded a comparatively higher 37.85% annualized return.

ITEQ

• 1D: -1.92%
• 1M: -2.89%
• YTD: 10.21%
• 6M: 8.98%
• 1Y: 19.31%
• 3Y*: 12.40%
• 5Y*: -1.70%
• 10Y*: 10.76%

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)

ITEQ vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ITEQ BlueStar Israel Technology ETF	10.21%	13.71%	11.70%	4.70%	-30.36%	-8.04%	58.96%	37.59%	-0.63%	26.87%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	72.73%	49.17%	39.10%	73.38%	-33.53%	42.13%	55.53%	64.45%	-9.05%	38.48%

Correlation

The correlation between ITEQ and SMH is 0.54, 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	0.54
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.62
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.68
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 3, 2015	0.68

The correlation between ITEQ and SMH shifts across timeframes, from 0.54 (1 year) to 0.69 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

ITEQ vs. SMH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ITEQ	SMH
Technology	59.0%	100.0%
Industrials	17.0%	-
Utilities	9.1%	-
Financial Services	5.4%	-
Consumer Cyclical	3.4%	-
Healthcare	2.5%	-
Energy	1.6%	-
Communication Services	1.4%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

ITEQ vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

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

ITEQ

ITEQ Risk / Return Rank: 26
ITEQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
ITEQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
ITEQ Omega Ratio Rank: 22
ITEQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
ITEQ Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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.

ITEQ vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlueStar Israel Technology ETF (ITEQ) 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.

	ITEQ	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.81	3.99	-3.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.24	4.05	-2.81
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.58	-0.43
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.48	9.31	-7.83
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.81	33.88	-30.07

ITEQ vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ITEQ Sharpe Ratio is 0.81, which is lower than the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 3.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ITEQ 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

ITEQ vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ITEQ drawdown since its inception was -54.63%, smaller than the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ITEQ and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	ITEQ	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.63%	-84.96%	+30.33%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.07%	-14.93%	+1.86%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.78%	-35.74%	+8.96%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-50.29%	-45.30%	-4.99%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-54.63%	-45.30%	-9.33%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-18.35%	-7.01%	-11.34%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.50%	-41.01%	+22.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.08%	4.10%	+0.98%

Volatility

ITEQ vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for BlueStar Israel Technology ETF (ITEQ) is 10.20%, while VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has a volatility of 19.08%. This indicates that ITEQ 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

	ITEQ	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.20%	19.08%	-8.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.83%	29.18%	-10.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.89%	34.87%	-10.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.20%	35.83%	-10.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.49%	32.97%	-9.48%

ITEQ vs. SMH - Expense Ratio Comparison

ITEQ has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than SMH's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

ITEQ vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

ITEQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.77%, more than SMH's 0.18% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ITEQ BlueStar Israel Technology ETF	0.77%	0.85%	0.01%	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

Can I hold both ITEQ and SMH in my portfolio?

ITEQ and SMH have a correlation of 0.54, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ITEQ or SMH?

SMH has higher volatility (19.08%) compared to ITEQ (10.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ITEQ dropped -54.63% vs SMH's -84.96%.

Which ETF is better, ITEQ or SMH?

On 10-year performance, SMH leads with 37.85% vs 10.76% for ITEQ. On fees, SMH is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, ITEQ has been the lower-risk option at 10.20%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ITEQ or SMH?

Over the 10-year period, SMH has performed better with a 37.85% return vs 10.76%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ITEQ or SMH?

SMH is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for ITEQ.

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

ITEQ has the higher dividend yield at 0.77%, compared with 0.18% for SMH.

What is the main difference between ITEQ and SMH?

ITEQ is categorized as Technology Equities, while SMH is Semiconductors. ITEQ tracks BlueStar Israel Global Technology Index, while SMH tracks MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. They also come from different issuers: ETFMG and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for ITEQ and 0.35% for SMH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.99 vs 0.81), 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.