NUGO vs. SMH

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

NUGO (Nuveen Growth Opportunities ETF) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - NUGO is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by Nuveen, while SMH is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. NUGO is actively managed, while SMH is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, NUGO returned 26.56%/yr vs 63.68%/yr for SMH. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NUGO charges 0.56%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMH.

Performance

NUGO vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen Growth Opportunities ETF (NUGO) 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, NUGO achieves a 11.80% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 75.55% return.

NUGO

• 1D: 0.43%
• 1M: 7.03%
• YTD: 11.80%
• 6M: 10.41%
• 1Y: 30.66%
• 3Y*: 26.56%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SMH

• 1D: 4.01%
• 1M: 24.01%
• YTD: 75.55%
• 6M: 76.44%
• 1Y: 160.66%
• 3Y*: 63.68%
• 5Y*: 39.58%
• 10Y*: 37.55%

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

NUGO vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
NUGO Nuveen Growth Opportunities ETF	11.80%	14.91%	35.95%	45.37%	-32.73%	7.78%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	75.55%	49.17%	39.10%	73.38%	-33.53%	19.18%

Correlation

The correlation between NUGO and SMH is 0.78, 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	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 29, 2021	0.85

The correlation between NUGO and SMH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

NUGO vs. SMH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	NUGO	SMH
Technology	54.6%	100.0%
Communication Services	13.2%	-
Consumer Cyclical	12.3%	-
Industrials	9.0%	-
Healthcare	6.5%	-
Financial Services	3.3%	-
Basic Materials	1.6%	-
Consumer Defensive	0.9%	-
Utilities	0.2%	-
Energy	-	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

NUGO vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

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

NUGO

NUGO Risk / Return Rank: 43
NUGO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
NUGO Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
NUGO Omega Ratio Rank: 46
NUGO Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
NUGO Martin Ratio Rank: 37

SMH

SMH Risk / Return Rank: 96
SMH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
SMH Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
SMH Omega Ratio Rank: 95
SMH Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
SMH Martin Ratio Rank: 97

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.

NUGO vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen Growth Opportunities ETF (NUGO) 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.

	NUGO	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.75	5.29	-3.55
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.37	5.29	-2.92
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.73	-0.43
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.82	11.02	-9.20
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.94	42.34	-36.40
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NUGO vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NUGO Sharpe Ratio is 1.75, which is lower than the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 5.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NUGO 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

	NUGO	SMH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.75	5.29	-3.55
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.14	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	1.16	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.61	0.34	+0.27

Drawdowns

NUGO vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NUGO drawdown since its inception was -38.01%, smaller than the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NUGO and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	NUGO	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.01%	-84.96%	+46.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.54%	-14.93%	-2.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.12%	-35.74%	+10.62%
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	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.07%	-41.09%	+29.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.38%	3.89%	+1.49%

Volatility

NUGO vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Nuveen Growth Opportunities ETF (NUGO) is 3.88%, while VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has a volatility of 11.59%. This indicates that NUGO 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

	NUGO	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.88%	11.59%	-7.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.32%	24.29%	-10.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.67%	30.57%	-12.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.12%	35.02%	-11.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.12%	32.58%	-9.46%

NUGO vs. SMH - Expense Ratio Comparison

NUGO has a 0.56% expense ratio, which is higher than SMH's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

NUGO vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

NUGO has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SMH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.17%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NUGO Nuveen Growth Opportunities ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.19%	0.26%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	0.17%	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 NUGO and SMH in my portfolio?

NUGO and SMH have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NUGO or SMH?

SMH has higher volatility (11.59%) compared to NUGO (3.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NUGO dropped -38.01% vs SMH's -84.96%.

Which ETF is better, NUGO or SMH?

On 3-year performance, SMH leads with 63.68% vs 26.56% for NUGO. On fees, SMH is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, NUGO has been the lower-risk option at 3.88%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NUGO or SMH?

Over the 3-year period, SMH has performed better with a 63.68% return vs 26.56%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NUGO or SMH?

SMH is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.56% for NUGO.

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

SMH has the higher dividend yield at 0.17%, compared with 0.00% for NUGO.

What is the main difference between NUGO and SMH?

NUGO is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while SMH is Semiconductors. They also come from different issuers: Nuveen and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.56% for NUGO and 0.35% for SMH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.29 vs 1.75), 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.