MOTG vs. SMHX

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

MOTG (VanEck Morningstar Global Wide Moat ETF) and SMHX (VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - MOTG is a Global Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Global Wide Moat Focus Index, while SMHX is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MarketVector™ US Listed Fabless Semiconductor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, MOTG returned 12.74% vs 70.23% for SMHX. Their 0.53 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. MOTG charges 0.52%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMHX.

Performance

MOTG vs. SMHX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Morningstar Global Wide Moat ETF (MOTG) 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, MOTG achieves a 6.17% return, which is significantly lower than SMHX's 54.30% return.

MOTG

• 1D: 1.36%
• 1M: 6.68%
• 6M: 3.28%
• YTD: 6.17%
• 1Y: 12.74%
• 3Y*: 14.85%
• 5Y*: 7.49%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 11.96%

SMHX

• 1D: 5.79%
• 1M: 0.05%
• 6M: 54.30%
• YTD: 54.30%
• 1Y: 70.23%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 54.49%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
MOTG VanEck Morningstar Global Wide Moat ETF	$14.07K	$24.07K	$42.57K
SMHX VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF	$4.97M	$5.79M	$8.43M

MOTG vs. SMHX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
MOTG VanEck Morningstar Global Wide Moat ETF	6.17%	26.06%	-2.57%
SMHX VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF	54.30%	30.00%	15.56%

Correlation

The correlation between MOTG and SMHX is 0.50, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.50
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 28, 2024	0.53

The correlation between MOTG and SMHX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.50 to 0.53 - a consistent structural relationship.

MOTG vs. SMHX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	MOTG	SMHX
Industrials	25.3%	-
Technology	18.8%	100.0%
Consumer Defensive	17.7%	-
Healthcare	16.0%	-
Consumer Cyclical	8.5%	-
Financial Services	7.0%	-
Communication Services	5.6%	-
Basic Materials	1.2%	-
Energy	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

MOTG vs. SMHX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

MOTG

MOTG Risk / Return Rank: 31
MOTG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
MOTG Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
MOTG Omega Ratio Rank: 31
MOTG Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
MOTG Martin Ratio Rank: 30

SMHX

SMHX Risk / Return Rank: 65
SMHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
SMHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
SMHX Omega Ratio Rank: 59
SMHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
SMHX Martin Ratio Rank: 65

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

MOTG vs. SMHX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Morningstar Global Wide Moat ETF (MOTG) 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.

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.

	MOTG	SMHX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.90	1.77	-0.87
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.37	2.25	-0.89
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.29	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.02	2.83	-1.81
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.88	8.68	-5.80

MOTG vs. SMHX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MOTG Sharpe Ratio is 0.90, which is lower than the SMHX Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MOTG 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.

Drawdowns

MOTG vs. SMHX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MOTG drawdown since its inception was -31.82%, smaller than the maximum SMHX drawdown of -38.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MOTG and SMHX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MOTG	SMHX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.82%	-38.53%	+6.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.56%	-24.93%	+12.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.59%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.29%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-13.53%	+13.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.96%	-7.76%	+2.80%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.43%	8.11%	-3.68%

Volatility

MOTG vs. SMHX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VanEck Morningstar Global Wide Moat ETF (MOTG) is 3.57%, while VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF (SMHX) has a volatility of 15.07%. This indicates that MOTG 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

	MOTG	SMHX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.57%	15.07%	-11.50%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.64%	33.70%	-22.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.26%	39.93%	-25.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.93%	42.11%	-26.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.76%	42.11%	-24.35%

MOTG vs. SMHX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MOTG has a 0.52% expense ratio, which is higher than SMHX's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

MOTG vs. SMHX - Dividend Comparison

MOTG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 16.72%, more than SMHX's 0.02% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
MOTG VanEck Morningstar Global Wide Moat ETF	16.72%	17.75%	5.60%	1.86%	3.64%	5.88%	2.96%	3.91%	0.45%
SMHX VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF	0.02%	0.02%	0.04%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MOTG and SMHX in my portfolio?

MOTG and SMHX have a correlation of 0.50, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MOTG or SMHX?

SMHX has higher volatility (15.07%) compared to MOTG (3.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MOTG dropped -31.82% vs SMHX's -38.53%.

Which ETF is better, MOTG or SMHX?

On 1-year performance, SMHX leads with 70.23% vs 12.74% for MOTG. On fees, SMHX is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, MOTG has been the lower-risk option at 3.57%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MOTG or SMHX?

Over the 1-year period, SMHX has performed better with a 70.23% return vs 12.74%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MOTG or SMHX?

SMHX is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.52% for MOTG.

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

MOTG has the higher dividend yield at 16.72%, compared with 0.02% for SMHX.

What is the main difference between MOTG and SMHX?

MOTG is categorized as Global Equities, while SMHX is Semiconductors. MOTG tracks Morningstar Global Wide Moat Focus Index, while SMHX tracks MarketVector™ US Listed Fabless Semiconductor Index. Their fees differ too: 0.52% for MOTG and 0.35% for SMHX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMHX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs 0.90), 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.