PPH vs. SMH

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PPH (VanEck Vectors Pharmaceutical ETF) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PPH is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Pharmaceutical 25 Index, while SMH is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, PPH returned 7.46%/yr vs 37.68%/yr for SMH. At a 0.39 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PPH charges 0.36%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMH.

Performance

PPH vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Vectors Pharmaceutical ETF (PPH) 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, PPH achieves a -0.76% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 77.13% return. Over the past 10 years, PPH has underperformed SMH with an annualized return of 7.46%, while SMH has yielded a comparatively higher 37.68% annualized return.

PPH

• 1D: 0.33%
• 1M: -0.56%
• YTD: -0.76%
• 6M: 2.14%
• 1Y: 17.87%
• 3Y*: 12.03%
• 5Y*: 9.22%
• 10Y*: 7.46%

SMH

• 1D: 0.90%
• 1M: 25.87%
• YTD: 77.13%
• 6M: 75.61%
• 1Y: 157.20%
• 3Y*: 64.17%
• 5Y*: 39.21%
• 10Y*: 37.68%

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

PPH vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PPH VanEck Vectors Pharmaceutical ETF	-0.76%	22.00%	8.05%	6.95%	2.64%	17.79%	5.49%	19.39%	-5.89%	15.23%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	77.13%	49.17%	39.10%	73.38%	-33.53%	42.13%	55.53%	64.45%	-9.05%	38.48%

Correlation

The correlation between PPH 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	0.15
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.26
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.35
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 6, 2000	0.39

Over the past year, the correlation between PPH and SMH has dropped to 0.10 - well below their long-term average of 0.39, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

PPH vs. SMH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

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

Return for Risk

PPH vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

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

PPH

PPH Risk / Return Rank: 29
PPH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
PPH Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
PPH Omega Ratio Rank: 28
PPH Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
PPH Martin Ratio Rank: 27

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: 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.

PPH vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Vectors Pharmaceutical ETF (PPH) 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.

	PPH	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.04	5.19	-4.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.64	5.22	-3.57
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.72	-0.53
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.67	10.59	-8.93
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.88	40.63	-36.74
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PPH vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PPH Sharpe Ratio is 1.04, which is lower than the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 5.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PPH 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

	PPH	SMH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.04	5.19	-4.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.61	1.13	-0.51
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.44	1.16	-0.72
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.30	0.34	-0.04

Drawdowns

PPH vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PPH drawdown since its inception was -51.45%, smaller than the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PPH and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	PPH	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.45%	-84.96%	+33.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.76%	-14.93%	+4.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.06%	-35.74%	+17.68%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.26%	-45.30%	+25.04%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-29.70%	-45.30%	+15.60%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.34%	0.00%	-8.34%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.31%	-41.09%	+23.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.61%	3.89%	+0.72%

Volatility

PPH vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VanEck Vectors Pharmaceutical ETF (PPH) is 4.73%, while VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has a volatility of 11.47%. This indicates that PPH 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

	PPH	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.73%	11.47%	-6.74%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.67%	24.29%	-12.62%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.26%	30.56%	-13.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.07%	35.01%	-19.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.96%	32.57%	-15.61%

PPH vs. SMH - Expense Ratio Comparison

PPH has a 0.36% expense ratio, which is higher than SMH's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

PPH vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

PPH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.12%, more than SMH's 0.17% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PPH VanEck Vectors Pharmaceutical ETF	2.12%	1.78%	1.98%	2.09%	1.55%	1.62%	1.66%	1.77%	1.97%	1.92%	2.43%	1.93%
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 PPH and SMH in my portfolio?

PPH 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, PPH or SMH?

SMH has higher volatility (11.47%) compared to PPH (4.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PPH dropped -51.45% vs SMH's -84.96%.

Which ETF is better, PPH or SMH?

On 10-year performance, SMH leads with 37.68% vs 7.46% for PPH. On fees, SMH is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, PPH has been the lower-risk option at 4.73%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PPH or SMH?

Over the 10-year period, SMH has performed better with a 37.68% return vs 7.46%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PPH or SMH?

SMH is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.36% for PPH.

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

PPH has the higher dividend yield at 2.12%, compared with 0.17% for SMH.

What is the main difference between PPH and SMH?

PPH is categorized as Health & Biotech Equities, while SMH is Semiconductors. PPH tracks MVIS US Listed Pharmaceutical 25 Index, while SMH tracks MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.36% for PPH and 0.35% for SMH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.19 vs 1.04), 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.