PLAB vs. SMH

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Photronics, Inc. (PLAB) and VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH).

SMH is a passively managed fund by VanEck that tracks the performance of the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. It was launched on Dec 20, 2011.

Performance

PLAB vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Photronics, Inc. (PLAB) and VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

PLAB vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PLAB Photronics, Inc.	26.28%	35.82%	-24.90%	86.39%	-10.72%	68.91%	-29.19%	62.81%	13.55%	-24.56%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	6.46%	49.17%	39.10%	73.38%	-33.53%	42.13%	55.53%	64.45%	-9.05%	38.48%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PLAB achieves a 26.28% return, which is significantly higher than SMH's 6.46% return. Over the past 10 years, PLAB has underperformed SMH with an annualized return of 14.37%, while SMH has yielded a comparatively higher 31.28% annualized return.

PLAB

• 1D: 9.28%
• 1M: 7.96%
• YTD: 26.28%
• 6M: 76.08%
• 1Y: 94.65%
• 3Y*: 34.58%
• 5Y*: 25.33%
• 10Y*: 14.37%

SMH

• 1D: 5.76%
• 1M: -5.65%
• YTD: 6.46%
• 6M: 17.84%
• 1Y: 81.87%
• 3Y*: 43.47%
• 5Y*: 25.59%
• 10Y*: 31.28%

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

Return for Risk

PLAB vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

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

PLAB

PLAB Risk / Return Rank: 85
PLAB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
PLAB Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
PLAB Omega Ratio Rank: 83
PLAB Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
PLAB Martin Ratio Rank: 87

SMH

SMH Risk / Return Rank: 95
SMH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
SMH Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
SMH Omega Ratio Rank: 93
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.

PLAB vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Photronics, Inc. (PLAB) 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.

	PLAB	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.27	2.23	-0.96
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.28	2.85	-0.57
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.40	-0.10
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.89	5.10	-1.21
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.03	18.29	-9.27
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PLAB vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLAB Sharpe Ratio is 1.27, which is lower than the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 2.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLAB and SMH, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	PLAB	SMH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.27	2.23	-0.96
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47	0.74	-0.28
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.29	0.97	-0.68
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.12	0.28	-0.16

Correlation

The correlation between PLAB and SMH is 0.63, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

PLAB vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

PLAB has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SMH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.29%.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PLAB Photronics, Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	0.29%	0.31%	0.44%	0.60%	1.18%	0.51%	0.69%	1.50%	1.88%	1.43%	0.80%	2.14%

Drawdowns

PLAB vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLAB drawdown since its inception was -99.22%, which is greater than SMH's maximum drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLAB and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	PLAB	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.22%	-84.96%	-14.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-24.72%	-15.95%	-8.77%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-50.62%	-45.30%	-5.32%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-50.62%	-45.30%	-5.32%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.46%	-10.03%	-0.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-56.61%	-41.36%	-15.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.65%	4.44%	+6.21%

Volatility

PLAB vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

Photronics, Inc. (PLAB) has a higher volatility of 24.60% compared to VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) at 12.11%. This indicates that PLAB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SMH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PLAB	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	24.60%	12.11%	+12.49%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	59.79%	23.95%	+35.84%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	74.70%	36.84%	+37.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	54.69%	34.71%	+19.98%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	49.08%	32.28%	+16.80%