JAVA vs. SMH

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

JAVA (JPMorgan Active Value ETF) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - JAVA is a Large Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by JPMorgan, while SMH is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. JAVA is actively managed, while SMH is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, JAVA returned 16.35%/yr vs 64.17%/yr for SMH. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. JAVA charges 0.44%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMH.

Performance

JAVA vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in JPMorgan Active Value ETF (JAVA) 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, JAVA achieves a 8.50% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 77.13% return.

JAVA

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: 2.70%
• YTD: 8.50%
• 6M: 9.14%
• 1Y: 23.95%
• 3Y*: 16.35%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SMH

• 1D: 0.90%
• 1M: 25.87%
• YTD: 77.13%
• 6M: 75.61%
• 1Y: 157.20%
• 3Y*: 64.17%
• 5Y*: 39.21%
• 10Y*: 37.68%

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

JAVA vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
JAVA JPMorgan Active Value ETF	8.50%	14.92%	15.52%	10.46%	-0.88%	5.23%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	77.13%	49.17%	39.10%	73.38%	-33.53%	22.55%

Correlation

The correlation between JAVA 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	0.50
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 6, 2021	0.58

The correlation between JAVA and SMH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.50 to 0.58 - a consistent structural relationship.

JAVA vs. SMH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	JAVA	SMH
Financial Services	20.1%	-
Technology	15.3%	100.0%
Industrials	13.9%	-
Healthcare	12.5%	-
Consumer Cyclical	8.6%	-
Communication Services	8.4%	-
Energy	5.5%	-
Consumer Defensive	5.0%	-
Utilities	4.1%	-
Basic Materials	3.6%	-
Real Estate	2.9%	-

Return for Risk

JAVA vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

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

JAVA

JAVA Risk / Return Rank: 62
JAVA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
JAVA Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
JAVA Omega Ratio Rank: 62
JAVA Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
JAVA Martin Ratio Rank: 60

SMH

SMH Risk / Return Rank: 96
SMH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
SMH Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
SMH Omega Ratio Rank: 95
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.

JAVA vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for JPMorgan Active Value ETF (JAVA) 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.

	JAVA	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.15	5.19	-3.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.07	5.22	-2.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.72	-0.34
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.90	10.59	-7.69
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.71	40.63	-29.92
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

JAVA vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JAVA Sharpe Ratio is 2.15, which is lower than the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 5.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JAVA 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	JAVA	SMH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.15	5.19	-3.03
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.13	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	1.16	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.78	0.34	+0.44

Drawdowns

JAVA vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JAVA drawdown since its inception was -16.54%, smaller than the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JAVA and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	JAVA	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.54%	-84.96%	+68.42%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.29%	-14.93%	+6.64%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.54%	-35.74%	+19.20%
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	-0.21%	0.00%	-0.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.63%	-41.09%	+37.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.24%	3.89%	-1.65%

Volatility

JAVA vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for JPMorgan Active Value ETF (JAVA) is 2.60%, while VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has a volatility of 11.47%. This indicates that JAVA 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

	JAVA	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.60%	11.47%	-8.87%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.40%	24.29%	-15.89%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.19%	30.56%	-19.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.80%	35.01%	-20.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.80%	32.57%	-17.77%

JAVA vs. SMH - Expense Ratio Comparison

JAVA has a 0.44% expense ratio, which is higher than SMH's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

JAVA vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

JAVA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.25%, more than SMH's 0.17% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
JAVA JPMorgan Active Value ETF	1.25%	1.34%	1.45%	1.65%	1.25%	0.48%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	0.17%	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 JAVA and SMH in my portfolio?

JAVA 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, JAVA or SMH?

SMH has higher volatility (11.47%) compared to JAVA (2.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JAVA dropped -16.54% vs SMH's -84.96%.

Which ETF is better, JAVA or SMH?

On 3-year performance, SMH leads with 64.17% vs 16.35% for JAVA. On fees, SMH is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, JAVA has been the lower-risk option at 2.60%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, JAVA or SMH?

Over the 3-year period, SMH has performed better with a 64.17% return vs 16.35%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, JAVA or SMH?

SMH is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.44% for JAVA.

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

JAVA has the higher dividend yield at 1.25%, compared with 0.17% for SMH.

What is the main difference between JAVA and SMH?

JAVA is categorized as Large Cap Value Equities, while SMH is Semiconductors. They also come from different issuers: JPMorgan and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.44% for JAVA and 0.35% for SMH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.19 vs 2.15), 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.