QTUM-USD vs. SMH

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

QTUM-USD (QTUM) is a cryptocurrency, while SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) is Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. Over the past 5 years, QTUM-USD returned -42.02%/yr vs 39.58%/yr for SMH. At a 0.18 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

QTUM-USD vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in QTUM (QTUM-USD) 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, QTUM-USD achieves a -39.34% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 75.55% return.

QTUM-USD

• 1D: -5.60%
• 1M: -6.79%
• YTD: -39.34%
• 6M: -46.74%
• 1Y: -60.73%
• 3Y*: -32.78%
• 5Y*: -42.02%
• 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)

QTUM-USD vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QTUM-USD QTUM	-39.34%	-55.51%	-19.33%	103.93%	-79.08%	293.16%	38.57%	-24.72%	-96.59%	422.64%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	75.55%	49.17%	39.10%	73.38%	-33.53%	42.13%	55.53%	64.45%	-9.05%	-3.00%

Correlation

The correlation between QTUM-USD and SMH is 0.28, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.28
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.25
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.26
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 10, 2017	0.18

The correlation between QTUM-USD and SMH shifts across timeframes, from 0.18 (all time) to 0.28 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

QTUM-USD vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

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

QTUM-USD

QTUM-USD Risk / Return Rank: 32
QTUM-USD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
QTUM-USD Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
QTUM-USD Omega Ratio Rank: 37
QTUM-USD Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
QTUM-USD Martin Ratio Rank: 22

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.

QTUM-USD vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for QTUM (QTUM-USD) 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.

	QTUM-USD	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.76	5.29	-6.05
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-1.08	5.29	-6.37
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.89	1.73	-0.84
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-1.13	11.02	-12.15
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-1.52	42.34	-43.86
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QTUM-USD vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QTUM-USD Sharpe Ratio is -0.76, which is lower than the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 5.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QTUM-USD 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

	QTUM-USD	SMH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.76	5.29	-6.05
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.45	1.14	-1.58
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	1.16	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.23	0.34	-0.56

Drawdowns

QTUM-USD vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QTUM-USD drawdown since its inception was -99.16%, which is greater than SMH's maximum drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QTUM-USD and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	QTUM-USD	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.16%	-84.96%	-14.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-74.30%	-14.93%	-59.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-86.04%	-35.74%	-50.30%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-95.52%	-45.30%	-50.22%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-45.30%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-99.14%	0.00%	-99.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-93.27%	-41.09%	-52.18%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	49.77%	3.89%	+45.88%

Volatility

QTUM-USD vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

QTUM (QTUM-USD) has a higher volatility of 17.06% compared to VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) at 11.59%. This indicates that QTUM-USD'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

	QTUM-USD	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	17.06%	11.59%	+5.47%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	50.05%	24.29%	+25.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	66.37%	30.57%	+35.80%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	78.42%	35.02%	+43.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	99.44%	32.58%	+66.86%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QTUM-USD and SMH in my portfolio?

QTUM-USD and SMH have a correlation of 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QTUM-USD or SMH?

QTUM-USD has higher volatility (17.06%) compared to SMH (11.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QTUM-USD dropped -99.16% vs SMH's -84.96%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.29 vs -0.76), 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.