QQQ vs. SMH
Compare and contrast key facts about Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) and VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH).
QQQ and SMH are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. QQQ is a passively managed fund by Invesco that tracks the performance of the NASDAQ-100 Index. It was launched on Mar 10, 1999. 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. Both QQQ and SMH are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.
Performance
QQQ vs. SMH - Performance Comparison
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QQQ vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF | -5.93% | 20.77% | 25.58% | 54.86% | -32.58% | 27.42% | 48.62% | 38.96% | -0.13% | 32.66% |
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, QQQ achieves a -5.93% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 6.46% return. Over the past 10 years, QQQ has underperformed SMH with an annualized return of 18.85%, while SMH has yielded a comparatively higher 31.28% annualized return.
QQQ
- 1D
- 3.39%
- 1M
- -4.84%
- YTD
- -5.93%
- 6M
- -3.62%
- 1Y
- 23.68%
- 3Y*
- 22.32%
- 5Y*
- 12.88%
- 10Y*
- 18.85%
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%
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QQQ vs. SMH - Expense Ratio Comparison
QQQ has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is lower than SMH's 0.35% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
QQQ vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank
QQQ
SMH
QQQ vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) 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.
| QQQ | SMH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.05 | 2.23 | -1.19 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.63 | 2.85 | -1.22 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.23 | 1.40 | -0.17 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.88 | 5.10 | -3.22 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.95 | 18.29 | -11.34 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| QQQ | SMH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.05 | 2.23 | -1.19 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.58 | 0.74 | -0.16 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.85 | 0.97 | -0.12 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.37 | 0.28 | +0.09 |
Correlation
The correlation between QQQ and SMH is 0.83, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Dividends
QQQ vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison
QQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.49%, more than SMH's 0.29% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF | 0.49% | 0.45% | 0.56% | 0.62% | 0.80% | 0.43% | 0.55% | 0.74% | 0.91% | 0.84% | 1.06% | 0.99% |
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
QQQ vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum QQQ drawdown since its inception was -82.97%, roughly equal to the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQ and SMH.
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Drawdown Indicators
| QQQ | SMH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -82.97% | -84.96% | +1.99% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -12.62% | -15.95% | +3.33% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -35.12% | -45.30% | +10.18% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.12% | -45.30% | +10.18% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -8.98% | -10.03% | +1.05% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -32.99% | -41.36% | +8.37% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.41% | 4.44% | -1.03% |
Volatility
QQQ vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) is 6.51%, while VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has a volatility of 12.11%. This indicates that QQQ 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.
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Volatility by Period
| QQQ | SMH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.51% | 12.11% | -5.60% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.77% | 23.95% | -11.18% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 22.67% | 36.84% | -14.17% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 22.39% | 34.71% | -12.32% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.25% | 32.28% | -10.03% |