LFEQ vs. SMHX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

LFEQ (VanEck Long/Flat Trend ETF) and SMHX (VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - LFEQ is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Ned Davis Research CMG US Large Cap Long/Flat Index - USD, while SMHX is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MarketVector™ US Listed Fabless Semiconductor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, LFEQ returned 27.35% vs 139.42% for SMHX. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. LFEQ charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMHX.

Performance

LFEQ vs. SMHX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Long/Flat Trend ETF (LFEQ) and VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF (SMHX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LFEQ achieves a 10.63% return, which is significantly lower than SMHX's 78.44% return.

LFEQ

• 1D: -0.61%
• 1M: 5.08%
• YTD: 10.63%
• 6M: 10.69%
• 1Y: 27.35%
• 3Y*: 18.29%
• 5Y*: 9.91%
• 10Y*: —

SMHX

• 1D: 0.94%
• 1M: 33.64%
• YTD: 78.44%
• 6M: 72.62%
• 1Y: 139.42%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

LFEQ vs. SMHX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
LFEQ VanEck Long/Flat Trend ETF	10.63%	10.49%	5.30%
SMHX VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF	78.44%	30.00%	17.76%

Correlation

The correlation between LFEQ and SMHX is 0.75, 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	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 29, 2024	0.77

The correlation between LFEQ and SMHX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.77 - a consistent structural relationship.

LFEQ vs. SMHX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	LFEQ	SMHX
Technology	33.6%	100.0%
Financial Services	12.2%	-
Communication Services	10.5%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.0%	-
Healthcare	9.5%	-
Industrials	8.5%	-
Consumer Defensive	5.3%	-
Energy	4.0%	-
Utilities	2.6%	-
Real Estate	2.0%	-
Basic Materials	1.9%	-

Return for Risk

LFEQ vs. SMHX — Risk / Return Rank

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

LFEQ

LFEQ Risk / Return Rank: 69
LFEQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
LFEQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
LFEQ Omega Ratio Rank: 69
LFEQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
LFEQ Martin Ratio Rank: 75

SMHX

SMHX Risk / Return Rank: 93
SMHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
SMHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
SMHX Omega Ratio Rank: 90
SMHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
SMHX Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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.

LFEQ vs. SMHX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Long/Flat Trend ETF (LFEQ) 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.

	LFEQ	SMHX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.30	4.30	-2.00
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.16	4.50	-1.34
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.59	-0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.06	8.22	-5.16
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.08	23.13	-9.04
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LFEQ vs. SMHX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LFEQ Sharpe Ratio is 2.30, which is lower than the SMHX Sharpe Ratio of 4.30. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LFEQ and SMHX, 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

	LFEQ	SMHX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.30	4.30	-2.00
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.67	1.94	-1.27

Drawdowns

LFEQ vs. SMHX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LFEQ drawdown since its inception was -35.19%, smaller than the maximum SMHX drawdown of -38.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LFEQ and SMHX.

Drawdown Indicators

	LFEQ	SMHX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.19%	-38.53%	+3.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.98%	-17.06%	+8.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.97%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.55%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.61%	0.00%	-0.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.16%	-7.33%	+1.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.95%	6.05%	-4.10%

Volatility

LFEQ vs. SMHX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VanEck Long/Flat Trend ETF (LFEQ) is 2.90%, while VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF (SMHX) has a volatility of 11.81%. This indicates that LFEQ 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

	LFEQ	SMHX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.90%	11.81%	-8.91%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.09%	25.06%	-15.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.98%	32.69%	-20.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.36%	39.97%	-25.61%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.58%	39.97%	-22.39%

LFEQ vs. SMHX - Expense Ratio Comparison

LFEQ has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is higher than SMHX's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

LFEQ vs. SMHX - Dividend Comparison

LFEQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.82%, more than SMHX's 0.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
LFEQ VanEck Long/Flat Trend ETF	0.82%	0.90%	0.74%	1.56%	1.19%	0.37%	2.06%	1.45%	1.07%	0.79%
SMHX VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF	0.01%	0.02%	0.04%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LFEQ and SMHX in my portfolio?

LFEQ and SMHX have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LFEQ or SMHX?

SMHX has higher volatility (11.81%) compared to LFEQ (2.90%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LFEQ dropped -35.19% vs SMHX's -38.53%.

Which ETF is better, LFEQ or SMHX?

On 1-year performance, SMHX leads with 139.42% vs 27.35% for LFEQ. On fees, SMHX is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, LFEQ has been the lower-risk option at 2.90%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LFEQ or SMHX?

Over the 1-year period, SMHX has performed better with a 139.42% return vs 27.35%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LFEQ or SMHX?

SMHX is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for LFEQ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, LFEQ or SMHX?

LFEQ has the higher dividend yield at 0.82%, compared with 0.01% for SMHX.

What is the main difference between LFEQ and SMHX?

LFEQ is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while SMHX is Semiconductors. LFEQ tracks Ned Davis Research CMG US Large Cap Long/Flat Index - USD, while SMHX tracks MarketVector™ US Listed Fabless Semiconductor Index. Their fees differ too: 0.58% for LFEQ and 0.35% for SMHX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMHX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.30 vs 2.30), 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.