RTH vs. SMH

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

RTH (VanEck Vectors Retail ETF) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RTH is a Consumer Discretionary Equities fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Retail 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, RTH returned 13.87%/yr vs 37.68%/yr for SMH. A 0.57 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.35% expense ratio.

Performance

RTH vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Vectors Retail ETF (RTH) 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, RTH achieves a 1.87% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 77.13% return. Over the past 10 years, RTH has underperformed SMH with an annualized return of 13.87%, while SMH has yielded a comparatively higher 37.68% annualized return.

RTH

• 1D: 0.35%
• 1M: -4.91%
• YTD: 1.87%
• 6M: 1.10%
• 1Y: 7.77%
• 3Y*: 16.09%
• 5Y*: 9.36%
• 10Y*: 13.87%

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)

RTH vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RTH VanEck Vectors Retail ETF	1.87%	12.36%	20.02%	20.07%	-17.67%	24.94%	31.62%	29.06%	3.87%	22.45%
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 RTH and SMH is 0.25, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.25
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.41
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 18, 2001	0.57

Over the past year, the correlation between RTH and SMH has dropped to 0.25 - well below their long-term average of 0.57, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

RTH vs. SMH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RTH	SMH
Consumer Cyclical	56.4%	-
Consumer Defensive	27.6%	-
Healthcare	13.5%	-
Industrials	2.5%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	100.0%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

RTH vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

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

RTH

RTH Risk / Return Rank: 21
RTH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
RTH Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
RTH Omega Ratio Rank: 18
RTH Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
RTH Martin Ratio Rank: 25

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.

RTH vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	RTH	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.65	5.19	-4.54
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.04	5.22	-4.17
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.72	-0.60
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.00	10.59	-9.60
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.46	40.63	-37.17
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RTH vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RTH Sharpe Ratio is 0.65, which is lower than the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 5.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RTH 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

	RTH	SMH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.65	5.19	-4.54
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56	1.13	-0.57
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79	1.16	-0.37
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.34	+0.16

Drawdowns

RTH vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RTH drawdown since its inception was -42.32%, smaller than the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RTH and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	RTH	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.32%	-84.96%	+42.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.83%	-14.93%	+7.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.80%	-35.74%	+21.94%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.00%	-45.30%	+20.30%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-25.00%	-45.30%	+20.30%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.85%	0.00%	-5.85%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.34%	-41.09%	+33.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.26%	3.89%	-1.63%

Volatility

RTH vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VanEck Vectors Retail ETF (RTH) is 3.83%, while VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has a volatility of 11.47%. This indicates that RTH 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

	RTH	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.83%	11.47%	-7.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.22%	24.29%	-15.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.07%	30.56%	-18.49%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.81%	35.01%	-18.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.54%	32.57%	-15.03%

RTH vs. SMH - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both RTH and SMH have an expense ratio of 0.35%.

Dividends

RTH vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

RTH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.95%, more than SMH's 0.17% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RTH VanEck Vectors Retail ETF	0.95%	0.97%	0.77%	1.07%	1.16%	0.78%	0.64%	0.91%	1.05%	1.56%	1.84%	2.25%
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 RTH and SMH in my portfolio?

RTH and SMH have a correlation of 0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RTH or SMH?

SMH has higher volatility (11.47%) compared to RTH (3.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RTH dropped -42.32% vs SMH's -84.96%.

Which ETF is better, RTH or SMH?

On 10-year performance, SMH leads with 37.68% vs 13.87% for RTH. Both ETFs have the same 0.35% expense ratio. On volatility, RTH has been the lower-risk option at 3.83%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RTH or SMH?

Over the 10-year period, SMH has performed better with a 37.68% return vs 13.87%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RTH or SMH?

RTH and SMH have the same expense ratio: 0.35% per year.

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

RTH has the higher dividend yield at 0.95%, compared with 0.17% for SMH.

What is the main difference between RTH and SMH?

RTH is categorized as Consumer Discretionary Equities, while SMH is Semiconductors. RTH tracks MVIS US Listed Retail 25 Index, while SMH tracks MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.19 vs 0.65), 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.