KLAC vs. SMH

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

KLAC (KLA Corporation) is a stock, while SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) is Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. Over the past 10 years, KLAC returned 42.36%/yr vs 36.92%/yr for SMH. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure.

Performance

KLAC vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in KLA Corporation (KLAC) 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, KLAC achieves a 73.94% return, which is significantly higher than SMH's 66.10% return. Over the past 10 years, KLAC has outperformed SMH with an annualized return of 42.36%, while SMH has yielded a comparatively lower 36.92% annualized return.

KLAC

• 1D: 9.27%
• 1M: 12.92%
• YTD: 73.94%
• 6M: 72.59%
• 1Y: 162.58%
• 3Y*: 66.83%
• 5Y*: 47.83%
• 10Y*: 42.36%

SMH

• 1D: 5.00%
• 1M: 5.58%
• YTD: 66.10%
• 6M: 62.81%
• 1Y: 137.42%
• 3Y*: 60.43%
• 5Y*: 37.89%
• 10Y*: 36.92%

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

KLAC vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
KLAC KLA Corporation	73.94%	94.48%	9.36%	56.05%	-11.20%	68.05%	47.94%	103.99%	-12.49%	36.80%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	66.10%	49.17%	39.10%	73.38%	-33.53%	42.13%	55.53%	64.45%	-9.05%	38.48%

Correlation

The correlation between KLAC and SMH is 0.81, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 6, 2000	0.83

The correlation between KLAC and SMH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

KLAC vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

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

KLAC

KLAC Risk / Return Rank: 95
KLAC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
KLAC Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
KLAC Omega Ratio Rank: 93
KLAC Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
KLAC Martin Ratio Rank: 97

SMH

SMH Risk / Return Rank: 96
SMH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
SMH Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
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.

KLAC vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for KLA Corporation (KLAC) 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.

	KLAC	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.43	4.27	-0.84
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.38	4.33	-0.95
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.49	1.62	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	7.30	9.26	-1.96
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	23.22	34.80	-11.58
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

KLAC vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KLAC Sharpe Ratio is 3.43, which is comparable to the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 4.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KLAC 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

	KLAC	SMH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.43	4.27	-0.84
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.11	1.08	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.02	1.13	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.33	+0.12

Drawdowns

KLAC vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KLAC drawdown since its inception was -83.74%, roughly equal to the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KLAC and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	KLAC	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-83.74%	-84.96%	+1.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-22.41%	-14.93%	-7.48%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-34.95%	-35.74%	+0.79%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.28%	-45.30%	+5.02%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.28%	-45.30%	+5.02%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.08%	-6.23%	+5.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-29.34%	-41.07%	+11.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.03%	3.96%	+3.07%

Volatility

KLAC vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

KLA Corporation (KLAC) has a higher volatility of 19.61% compared to VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) at 15.45%. This indicates that KLAC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SMH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	KLAC	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	19.61%	15.45%	+4.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	40.06%	26.71%	+13.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	47.74%	32.42%	+15.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	43.46%	35.32%	+8.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	41.64%	32.75%	+8.89%

Dividends

KLAC vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

KLAC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.38%, more than SMH's 0.18% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
KLAC KLA Corporation	0.38%	0.61%	0.96%	0.92%	1.25%	0.91%	1.35%	1.74%	3.17%	2.15%	2.67%	2.94%
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 KLAC and SMH in my portfolio?

KLAC and SMH have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, KLAC or SMH?

KLAC has higher volatility (19.61%) compared to SMH (15.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KLAC dropped -83.74% vs SMH's -84.96%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.27 vs 3.43), 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.