RBTX.L vs. SMH

Last updated Jul 18, 2026

RBTX.L (iShares Automation & Robotics UCITS ETF) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RBTX.L is a Robotics fund tracking the iSTOXX® FactSet Automation & Robotics, while SMH is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, RBTX.L returned 9.17%/yr vs 36.59%/yr for SMH. A 0.56 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. RBTX.L charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMH.

Performance

RBTX.L vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a £10,000 investment in iShares Automation & Robotics UCITS ETF (RBTX.L) and VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Different Trading Currencies

RBTX.L is traded in GBp, while SMH is traded in USD. To make them comparable, the SMH values have been converted to GBp using the latest available exchange rates.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RBTX.L achieves a 19.22% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 54.76% return.

RBTX.L

• 1D: -2.83%
• 1M: -9.44%
• 6M: 12.86%
• YTD: 19.22%
• 1Y: 25.57%
• 3Y*: 15.21%
• 5Y*: 9.17%
• 10Y*: —

SMH

• 1D: -2.02%
• 1M: -11.90%
• 6M: 38.20%
• YTD: 54.76%
• 1Y: 90.85%
• 3Y*: 50.53%
• 5Y*: 36.59%
• 10Y*: 34.54%

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

RBTX.L vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RBTX.L iShares Automation & Robotics UCITS ETF	19.22%	9.17%	7.51%	32.05%	-26.55%	22.26%	35.08%	32.52%	-13.97%	34.09%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	54.76%	38.54%	41.53%	64.71%	-25.63%	43.48%	50.97%	58.19%	-3.66%	26.50%

Correlation

The correlation between RBTX.L and SMH is 0.70, 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	0.70
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.60
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 8, 2016	0.56

The correlation between RBTX.L and SMH shifts across timeframes, from 0.56 (all time) to 0.70 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

RBTX.L vs. SMH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RBTX.L	SMH
Technology	73.6%	100.0%
Industrials	23.3%	-
Healthcare	2.5%	-
Consumer Cyclical	0.5%	-
Communication Services	0.1%	-
Basic Materials	0.0%	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

RBTX.L vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

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

RBTX.L

RBTX.L Risk / Return Rank: 39
RBTX.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
RBTX.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
RBTX.L Omega Ratio Rank: 36
RBTX.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
RBTX.L Martin Ratio Rank: 42

SMH

SMH Risk / Return Rank: 88
SMH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
SMH Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
SMH Omega Ratio Rank: 81
SMH Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
SMH Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

RBTX.L vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Automation & Robotics UCITS ETF (RBTX.L) 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	RBTX.L	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.06	2.54	-1.48
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.60	2.89	-1.28
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.39	-0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.94	5.07	-3.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.32	19.44	-14.12

RBTX.L vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RBTX.L Sharpe Ratio is 1.06, which is lower than the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 2.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RBTX.L 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.

Drawdowns

RBTX.L vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RBTX.L drawdown since its inception was -33.46%, smaller than the maximum SMH drawdown of -45.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RBTX.L and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	RBTX.L	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.46%	-45.35%	+11.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.10%	-18.03%	+4.93%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.28%	-35.65%	+8.37%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.46%	-35.65%	+2.19%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.65%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-12.56%	-18.03%	+5.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.54%	-8.39%	-1.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.79%	4.69%	+0.10%

Volatility

RBTX.L vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Automation & Robotics UCITS ETF (RBTX.L) is 10.33%, while VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has a volatility of 16.45%. This indicates that RBTX.L 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

	RBTX.L	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.33%	16.45%	-6.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.27%	30.43%	-10.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.11%	36.01%	-11.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.73%	34.73%	-9.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.63%	32.54%	-7.91%

RBTX.L vs. SMH - Expense Ratio Comparison

RBTX.L has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than SMH's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

RBTX.L vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

RBTX.L has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SMH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.20%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RBTX.L iShares Automation & Robotics UCITS ETF	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	0.20%	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 RBTX.L and SMH in my portfolio?

RBTX.L and SMH have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, RBTX.L or SMH?

On fees, SMH is cheaper at 0.35% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, RBTX.L or SMH?

SMH is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for RBTX.L.

What is the main difference between RBTX.L and SMH?

RBTX.L is categorized as Robotics, while SMH is Semiconductors. RBTX.L tracks iSTOXX® FactSet Automation & Robotics, while SMH tracks MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for RBTX.L and 0.35% for SMH.