KQQQ vs. SMH

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

KQQQ (Kurv Technology Titans Select ETF) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - KQQQ is a Technology Equities fund actively managed by Kurv, while SMH is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. KQQQ is actively managed, while SMH is passively managed. Over the past year, KQQQ returned 42.48% vs 150.04% for SMH. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. KQQQ charges 0.99%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMH.

Performance

KQQQ vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Kurv Technology Titans Select ETF (KQQQ) 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, KQQQ achieves a 18.81% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 74.25% return.

KQQQ

• 1D: -0.83%
• 1M: 7.64%
• YTD: 18.81%
• 6M: 16.44%
• 1Y: 42.48%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SMH

• 1D: -1.63%
• 1M: 20.06%
• YTD: 74.25%
• 6M: 74.08%
• 1Y: 150.04%
• 3Y*: 63.96%
• 5Y*: 38.76%
• 10Y*: 37.49%

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

KQQQ vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
KQQQ Kurv Technology Titans Select ETF	18.81%	16.64%	11.46%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	74.25%	49.17%	-4.56%

Correlation

The correlation between KQQQ and SMH is 0.76, 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	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 24, 2024	0.81

The correlation between KQQQ and SMH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

KQQQ vs. SMH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	KQQQ	SMH
Technology	49.9%	100.0%
Communication Services	29.0%	-
Consumer Cyclical	17.2%	-
Industrials	2.5%	-
Healthcare	1.4%	-
Financial Services	1.3%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

KQQQ vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

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

KQQQ

KQQQ Risk / Return Rank: 62
KQQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
KQQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
KQQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 67
KQQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
KQQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 49

SMH

SMH Risk / Return Rank: 96
SMH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
SMH Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
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.

KQQQ vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Kurv Technology Titans Select ETF (KQQQ) 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.

	KQQQ	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.35	4.94	-2.59
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.11	5.05	-1.94
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.69	-0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.47	10.11	-7.64
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.16	38.76	-30.60
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

KQQQ vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KQQQ Sharpe Ratio is 2.35, which is lower than the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 4.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KQQQ 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

	KQQQ	SMH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.35	4.94	-2.59
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.11	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	1.15	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.13	0.34	+0.79

Drawdowns

KQQQ vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KQQQ drawdown since its inception was -26.15%, smaller than the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KQQQ and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	KQQQ	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.15%	-84.96%	+58.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.30%	-14.93%	-2.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-35.74%	—
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	-1.34%	-1.63%	+0.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.70%	-41.08%	+36.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.22%	3.89%	+1.33%

Volatility

KQQQ vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Kurv Technology Titans Select ETF (KQQQ) is 6.12%, while VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has a volatility of 11.58%. This indicates that KQQQ 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

	KQQQ	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.12%	11.58%	-5.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.32%	24.35%	-10.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.16%	30.57%	-12.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.41%	35.01%	-11.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.41%	32.57%	-9.16%

KQQQ vs. SMH - Expense Ratio Comparison

KQQQ has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is higher than SMH's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

KQQQ vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

KQQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 13.77%, more than SMH's 0.18% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
KQQQ Kurv Technology Titans Select ETF	13.77%	12.01%	2.48%	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 KQQQ and SMH in my portfolio?

KQQQ and SMH have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, KQQQ or SMH?

SMH has higher volatility (11.58%) compared to KQQQ (6.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KQQQ dropped -26.15% vs SMH's -84.96%.

Which ETF is better, KQQQ or SMH?

On 1-year performance, SMH leads with 150.04% vs 42.48% for KQQQ. On fees, SMH is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, KQQQ has been the lower-risk option at 6.12%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, KQQQ or SMH?

Over the 1-year period, SMH has performed better with a 150.04% return vs 42.48%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, KQQQ or SMH?

SMH is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for KQQQ.

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

KQQQ has the higher dividend yield at 13.77%, compared with 0.18% for SMH.

What is the main difference between KQQQ and SMH?

KQQQ is categorized as Technology Equities, while SMH is Semiconductors. They also come from different issuers: Kurv and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.99% for KQQQ and 0.35% for SMH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.94 vs 2.35), 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.