ROBO vs. SMH

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

ROBO (ROBO Global Robotics & Automation Index ETF) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ROBO is a Robotics fund tracking the ROBO Global Robotics and Automation TR Index, while SMH is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ROBO returned 11.96%/yr vs 34.16%/yr for SMH. Their 0.77 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. ROBO charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMH.

Performance

ROBO vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ROBO Global Robotics & Automation Index ETF (ROBO) 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, ROBO achieves a 14.34% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 50.09% return. Over the past 10 years, ROBO has underperformed SMH with an annualized return of 11.96%, while SMH has yielded a comparatively higher 34.16% annualized return.

ROBO

• 1D: 0.85%
• 1M: -4.96%
• 6M: 9.49%
• YTD: 14.34%
• 1Y: 28.77%
• 3Y*: 11.42%
• 5Y*: 4.04%
• 10Y*: 11.96%
• ALL TIME*: 9.73%

SMH

• 1D: 0.30%
• 1M: -8.74%
• 6M: 33.97%
• YTD: 50.09%
• 1Y: 90.95%
• 3Y*: 50.56%
• 5Y*: 33.46%
• 10Y*: 34.16%
• ALL TIME*: 11.06%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
ROBO ROBO Global Robotics & Automation Index ETF	$10.10M	$12.55M	$20.11M
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	$8.28B	$7.64B	$7.07B

ROBO vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ROBO ROBO Global Robotics & Automation Index ETF	14.34%	23.71%	-1.28%	23.74%	-33.92%	15.34%	45.26%	29.51%	-20.92%	44.26%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	50.09%	49.17%	39.10%	73.38%	-33.53%	42.13%	55.53%	64.45%	-9.05%	38.48%

Correlation

The correlation between ROBO and SMH is 0.81, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.80
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 22, 2013	0.77

The correlation between ROBO and SMH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

ROBO vs. SMH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ROBO	SMH
Industrials	47.1%	-
Technology	41.1%	100.0%
Healthcare	5.4%	-
Consumer Cyclical	4.3%	-
Financial Services	1.5%	-
Consumer Defensive	1.3%	-
Communication Services	0.7%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Energy	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

ROBO vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

ROBO

ROBO Risk / Return Rank: 42
ROBO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
ROBO Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
ROBO Omega Ratio Rank: 40
ROBO Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
ROBO Martin Ratio Rank: 43

SMH

SMH Risk / Return Rank: 87
SMH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
SMH Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
SMH Omega Ratio Rank: 84
SMH Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
SMH Martin Ratio Rank: 91

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

ROBO vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ROBO Global Robotics & Automation Index ETF (ROBO) 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.

	ROBO	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.05	2.29	-1.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.54	2.70	-1.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.36	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.60	3.58	-1.98
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.75	14.64	-9.90

ROBO vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ROBO Sharpe Ratio is 1.05, which is lower than the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 2.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ROBO 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

ROBO vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ROBO drawdown since its inception was -43.65%, smaller than the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ROBO and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	ROBO	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.65%	-84.96%	+41.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.35%	-24.62%	+7.27%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.92%	-35.74%	+7.82%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.65%	-45.30%	+1.65%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.65%	-45.30%	+1.65%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-12.28%	-19.19%	+6.91%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.88%	-40.89%	+28.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.85%	6.01%	-0.16%

Volatility

ROBO vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ROBO Global Robotics & Automation Index ETF (ROBO) is 9.79%, while VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has a volatility of 14.70%. This indicates that ROBO 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

	ROBO	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.79%	14.70%	-4.91%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.47%	33.13%	-10.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.46%	38.57%	-12.11%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.41%	36.50%	-12.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.47%	33.32%	-9.85%

ROBO vs. SMH - Expense Ratio Comparison

ROBO has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than SMH's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

ROBO vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

ROBO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.37%, more than SMH's 0.20% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ROBO ROBO Global Robotics & Automation Index ETF	0.37%	0.42%	0.55%	0.05%	0.00%	0.18%	0.20%	0.37%	0.37%	0.02%	0.19%	0.28%
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 ROBO and SMH in my portfolio?

ROBO and SMH have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ROBO or SMH?

SMH has higher volatility (14.70%) compared to ROBO (9.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ROBO dropped -43.65% vs SMH's -84.96%.

Which ETF is better, ROBO or SMH?

On 10-year performance, SMH leads with 34.16% vs 11.96% for ROBO. On fees, SMH is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, ROBO has been the lower-risk option at 9.79%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ROBO or SMH?

Over the 10-year period, SMH has performed better with a 34.16% return vs 11.96%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ROBO or SMH?

SMH is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for ROBO.

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

ROBO has the higher dividend yield at 0.37%, compared with 0.20% for SMH.

What is the main difference between ROBO and SMH?

ROBO is categorized as Robotics, while SMH is Semiconductors. ROBO tracks ROBO Global Robotics and Automation TR Index, while SMH tracks MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. They also come from different issuers: Exchange Traded Concepts and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for ROBO and 0.35% for SMH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.29 vs 1.05), 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.