SEMI.AS vs. HNSS.L

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

SEMI.AS (iShares MSCI Global Semiconductors UCITS ETF USD Acc) and HNSS.L (HSBC Nasdaq Global Semiconductor UCITS ETF) are both Semiconductors funds - SEMI.AS tracks the MSCI ACWI IMI Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment ESG Screened Select Capped Index while HNSS.L tracks the Nasdaq Global Semiconductor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, SEMI.AS returned 61.99%/yr vs 68.17%/yr for HNSS.L. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.35% expense ratio.

Performance

SEMI.AS vs. HNSS.L - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI Global Semiconductors UCITS ETF USD Acc (SEMI.AS) and HSBC Nasdaq Global Semiconductor UCITS ETF (HNSS.L). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Different Trading Currencies

SEMI.AS is traded in USD, while HNSS.L is traded in GBP. To make them comparable, the HNSS.L values have been converted to USD using the latest available exchange rates.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SEMI.AS achieves a 102.46% return, which is significantly lower than HNSS.L's 113.30% return.

SEMI.AS

• 1D: -7.11%
• 1M: 12.96%
• YTD: 102.46%
• 6M: 105.22%
• 1Y: 191.43%
• 3Y*: 61.99%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

HNSS.L

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 21.25%
• YTD: 113.30%
• 6M: 115.88%
• 1Y: 208.41%
• 3Y*: 68.17%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SEMI.AS vs. HNSS.L - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
SEMI.AS iShares MSCI Global Semiconductors UCITS ETF USD Acc	102.46%	52.80%	15.12%	65.80%	-24.83%
HNSS.L HSBC Nasdaq Global Semiconductor UCITS ETF	113.30%	56.48%	17.97%	39.90%	-33.45%

Correlation

The correlation between SEMI.AS and HNSS.L is 0.95 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 25, 2022	0.90

The correlation between SEMI.AS and HNSS.L has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SEMI.AS vs. HNSS.L — Risk / Return Rank

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

SEMI.AS

SEMI.AS Risk / Return Rank: 97
SEMI.AS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
SEMI.AS Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
SEMI.AS Omega Ratio Rank: 95
SEMI.AS Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
SEMI.AS Martin Ratio Rank: 97

HNSS.L

HNSS.L Risk / Return Rank: 94
HNSS.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
HNSS.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
HNSS.L Omega Ratio Rank: 96
HNSS.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
HNSS.L Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

SEMI.AS vs. HNSS.L - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Global Semiconductors UCITS ETF USD Acc (SEMI.AS) and HSBC Nasdaq Global Semiconductor UCITS ETF (HNSS.L). 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.

	SEMI.AS	HNSS.L	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	5.32	3.78	+1.54
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.20	4.13	+1.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.68	1.70	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	12.89	6.75	+6.14
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	45.20	18.24	+26.96

SEMI.AS vs. HNSS.L - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SEMI.AS Sharpe Ratio is 5.32, which is higher than the HNSS.L Sharpe Ratio of 3.78. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SEMI.AS and HNSS.L, 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

SEMI.AS vs. HNSS.L - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SEMI.AS drawdown since its inception was -45.27%, smaller than the maximum HNSS.L drawdown of -51.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SEMI.AS and HNSS.L.

Drawdown Indicators

	SEMI.AS	HNSS.L	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.27%	-51.82%	+6.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.57%	-30.87%	+16.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-38.23%	-37.48%	-0.75%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.11%	0.00%	-7.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.25%	-19.04%	+5.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.18%	11.43%	-7.25%

Volatility

SEMI.AS vs. HNSS.L - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI Global Semiconductors UCITS ETF USD Acc (SEMI.AS) has a higher volatility of 15.24% compared to HSBC Nasdaq Global Semiconductor UCITS ETF (HNSS.L) at 13.75%. This indicates that SEMI.AS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HNSS.L based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SEMI.AS	HNSS.L	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	15.24%	13.75%	+1.49%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	28.92%	28.05%	+0.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	35.27%	55.11%	-19.84%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	32.06%	40.56%	-8.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	32.06%	40.56%	-8.50%

SEMI.AS vs. HNSS.L - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both SEMI.AS and HNSS.L have an expense ratio of 0.35%.

Dividends

SEMI.AS vs. HNSS.L - Dividend Comparison

Neither SEMI.AS nor HNSS.L has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SEMI.AS and HNSS.L in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, SEMI.AS and HNSS.L move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which ETF is better, SEMI.AS or HNSS.L?

Both ETFs have the same 0.35% expense ratio. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, SEMI.AS or HNSS.L?

SEMI.AS and HNSS.L have the same expense ratio: 0.35% per year.

What is the main difference between SEMI.AS and HNSS.L?

SEMI.AS tracks MSCI ACWI IMI Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment ESG Screened Select Capped Index, while HNSS.L tracks Nasdaq Global Semiconductor Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and HSBC.