NEAR vs. SMH

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

NEAR (iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - NEAR is a Short-Term Bond fund actively managed by iShares, while SMH is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. NEAR is actively managed, while SMH is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, NEAR returned 2.82%/yr vs 36.92%/yr for SMH. At a 0.01 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. NEAR charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMH.

Performance

NEAR vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF (NEAR) 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, NEAR achieves a 0.53% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 66.10% return. Over the past 10 years, NEAR has underperformed SMH with an annualized return of 2.82%, while SMH has yielded a comparatively higher 36.92% annualized return.

NEAR

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: -0.18%
• YTD: 0.53%
• 6M: 1.05%
• 1Y: 4.12%
• 3Y*: 5.54%
• 5Y*: 3.81%
• 10Y*: 2.82%

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)

NEAR vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NEAR iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF	0.53%	5.90%	5.09%	7.42%	0.41%	0.32%	1.39%	3.55%	1.71%	1.41%
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 NEAR and SMH is 0.10, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.10
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.01
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.02
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.02
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 27, 2013	0.01

NEAR vs. SMH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	NEAR	SMH
Financial Services	0.1%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	100.0%
Utilities	-	-
Communication Services	-0.0%	-

Return for Risk

NEAR vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

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

NEAR

NEAR Risk / Return Rank: 89
NEAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
NEAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
NEAR Omega Ratio Rank: 94
NEAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
NEAR Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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.

NEAR vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF (NEAR) 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.

	NEAR	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.05	4.27	-1.22
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.80	4.33	+0.47
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.63	1.62	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.65	9.26	-5.61
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.68	34.80	-18.12
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NEAR vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NEAR Sharpe Ratio is 3.05, which is comparable to the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 4.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NEAR 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

	NEAR	SMH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.05	4.27	-1.22
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	2.86	1.08	+1.78
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.14	1.13	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.08	0.33	+0.75

Drawdowns

NEAR vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NEAR drawdown since its inception was -9.61%, smaller than the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NEAR and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	NEAR	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.61%	-84.96%	+75.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.13%	-14.93%	+13.80%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.16%	-35.74%	+34.58%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-1.32%	-45.30%	+43.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-9.61%	-45.30%	+35.69%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.29%	-6.23%	+5.94%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.16%	-41.07%	+40.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.25%	3.96%	-3.71%

Volatility

NEAR vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF (NEAR) is 0.40%, while VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has a volatility of 15.45%. This indicates that NEAR 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

	NEAR	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.40%	15.45%	-15.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.01%	26.71%	-25.70%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.36%	32.42%	-31.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.34%	35.32%	-33.98%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.50%	32.75%	-30.25%

NEAR vs. SMH - Expense Ratio Comparison

NEAR has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than SMH's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

NEAR vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

NEAR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.44%, more than SMH's 0.18% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NEAR iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF	4.44%	4.54%	5.00%	4.59%	1.78%	0.76%	1.53%	2.69%	2.25%	1.52%	1.07%	0.85%
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 NEAR and SMH in my portfolio?

NEAR and SMH have a correlation of 0.10, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NEAR or SMH?

SMH has higher volatility (15.45%) compared to NEAR (0.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NEAR dropped -9.61% vs SMH's -84.96%.

Which ETF is better, NEAR or SMH?

On 10-year performance, SMH leads with 36.92% vs 2.82% for NEAR. On fees, NEAR is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, NEAR has been the lower-risk option at 0.40%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NEAR or SMH?

Over the 10-year period, SMH has performed better with a 36.92% return vs 2.82%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NEAR or SMH?

NEAR is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for SMH.

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

NEAR has the higher dividend yield at 4.44%, compared with 0.18% for SMH.

What is the main difference between NEAR and SMH?

NEAR is categorized as Short-Term Bond, while SMH is Semiconductors. They also come from different issuers: iShares and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for NEAR and 0.35% for SMH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.27 vs 3.05), 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.