SEMY vs. SMH

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

SEMY (GraniteShares YieldBOOST Semiconductors ETF) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SEMY is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by GraniteShares, while SMH is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. SEMY is actively managed, while SMH is passively managed. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SEMY charges 1.07%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMH.

Performance

SEMY vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in GraniteShares YieldBOOST Semiconductors ETF (SEMY) 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, SEMY achieves a 41.34% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 85.74% return.

SEMY

• 1D: 0.31%
• 1M: 4.39%
• YTD: 41.34%
• 6M: 40.17%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SMH

• 1D: 1.37%
• 1M: 16.07%
• YTD: 85.74%
• 6M: 85.96%
• 1Y: 157.81%
• 3Y*: 66.26%
• 5Y*: 40.65%
• 10Y*: 38.85%

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

SEMY vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
SEMY GraniteShares YieldBOOST Semiconductors ETF	41.34%	-0.56%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	85.74%	6.16%

Correlation

The correlation between SEMY and SMH is 0.86, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 18, 2025	0.86

Return for Risk

SEMY vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

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

SEMY

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

SMH

SMH Risk / Return Rank: 96
SMH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
SMH Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
SMH Omega Ratio Rank: 94
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.

SEMY vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for GraniteShares YieldBOOST Semiconductors ETF (SEMY) 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.

	SEMY	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	4.66	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	4.60	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.66	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	10.63	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	38.91	—

Drawdowns

SEMY vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SEMY drawdown since its inception was -11.46%, smaller than the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SEMY and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	SEMY	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.46%	-84.96%	+73.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-14.93%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-35.74%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-45.30%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-45.30%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.50%	-41.01%	+38.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	4.07%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	SEMY	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	17.29%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	28.18%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.92%	34.14%	-8.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.92%	35.68%	-9.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.92%	32.95%	-7.03%

SEMY vs. SMH - Expense Ratio Comparison

SEMY has a 1.07% expense ratio, which is higher than SMH's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

SEMY vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

SEMY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 91.14%, more than SMH's 0.17% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SEMY GraniteShares YieldBOOST Semiconductors ETF	91.14%	17.55%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	0.17%	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 SEMY and SMH in my portfolio?

SEMY and SMH have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, SEMY 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, SEMY or SMH?

SMH is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 1.07% for SEMY.

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

SEMY has the higher dividend yield at 91.14%, compared with 0.17% for SMH.

What is the main difference between SEMY and SMH?

SEMY is categorized as Derivative Income, while SMH is Semiconductors. They also come from different issuers: GraniteShares and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 1.07% for SEMY and 0.35% for SMH.