SFY vs. SMH

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

SFY (SoFi Select 500 ETF) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SFY is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Solactive SoFi US 500 Growth Index, while SMH is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SFY returned 15.91%/yr vs 38.76%/yr for SMH. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SFY charges 0.00%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMH.

Performance

SFY vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SoFi Select 500 ETF (SFY) 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, SFY achieves a 14.75% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 74.25% return.

SFY

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: 6.84%
• YTD: 14.75%
• 6M: 14.54%
• 1Y: 35.47%
• 3Y*: 27.66%
• 5Y*: 15.91%
• 10Y*: —

SMH

• 1D: -1.63%
• 1M: 20.06%
• YTD: 74.25%
• 6M: 74.08%
• 1Y: 150.04%
• 3Y*: 63.96%
• 5Y*: 38.76%
• 10Y*: 37.49%

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

SFY vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
SFY SoFi Select 500 ETF	14.75%	22.67%	29.81%	29.36%	-22.84%	28.03%	24.52%	13.38%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	74.25%	49.17%	39.10%	73.38%	-33.53%	42.13%	55.53%	27.78%

Correlation

The correlation between SFY and SMH is 0.81, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 12, 2019	0.82

The correlation between SFY and SMH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

SFY vs. SMH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SFY	SMH
Technology	45.5%	100.0%
Communication Services	10.2%	-
Financial Services	9.6%	-
Healthcare	9.4%	-
Consumer Cyclical	7.6%	-
Industrials	6.7%	-
Consumer Defensive	3.4%	-
Energy	2.4%	-
Utilities	1.9%	-
Real Estate	1.7%	-
Basic Materials	1.7%	-

Return for Risk

SFY vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

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

SFY

SFY Risk / Return Rank: 74
SFY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
SFY Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
SFY Omega Ratio Rank: 73
SFY Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
SFY Martin Ratio Rank: 76

SMH

SMH Risk / Return Rank: 96
SMH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
SMH Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
SMH Omega Ratio Rank: 94
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.

SFY vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SoFi Select 500 ETF (SFY) 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.

	SFY	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.47	4.94	-2.47
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.27	5.05	-1.78
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.69	-0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.30	10.11	-6.81
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.42	38.76	-24.34
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SFY vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SFY Sharpe Ratio is 2.47, which is lower than the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 4.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SFY 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

	SFY	SMH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.47	4.94	-2.47
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84	1.11	-0.27
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	1.15	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.90	0.34	+0.57

Drawdowns

SFY vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SFY drawdown since its inception was -33.25%, smaller than the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SFY and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	SFY	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.25%	-84.96%	+51.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.79%	-14.93%	+4.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.04%	-35.74%	+14.70%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.72%	-45.30%	+17.58%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-45.30%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.82%	-1.63%	+0.81%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.18%	-41.08%	+34.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.47%	3.89%	-1.42%

Volatility

SFY vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SoFi Select 500 ETF (SFY) is 4.00%, while VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has a volatility of 11.58%. This indicates that SFY 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

	SFY	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.00%	11.58%	-7.58%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.09%	24.35%	-13.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.44%	30.57%	-16.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.01%	35.01%	-16.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.19%	32.57%	-12.38%

SFY vs. SMH - Expense Ratio Comparison

SFY has a 0.00% expense ratio, which is lower than SMH's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

SFY vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

SFY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.84%, more than SMH's 0.18% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SFY SoFi Select 500 ETF	0.84%	0.96%	0.99%	1.40%	1.61%	0.90%	1.18%	1.02%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	0.18%	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 SFY and SMH in my portfolio?

SFY 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, SFY or SMH?

SMH has higher volatility (11.58%) compared to SFY (4.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SFY dropped -33.25% vs SMH's -84.96%.

Which ETF is better, SFY or SMH?

On 5-year performance, SMH leads with 38.76% vs 15.91% for SFY. On fees, SFY is cheaper at 0.00% per year. On volatility, SFY has been the lower-risk option at 4.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SFY or SMH?

Over the 5-year period, SMH has performed better with a 38.76% return vs 15.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SFY or SMH?

SFY is cheaper with a 0.00% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for SMH.

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

SFY has the higher dividend yield at 0.84%, compared with 0.18% for SMH.

What is the main difference between SFY and SMH?

SFY is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while SMH is Semiconductors. SFY tracks Solactive SoFi US 500 Growth Index, while SMH tracks MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. They also come from different issuers: Toroso Investments and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.00% for SFY and 0.35% for SMH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.94 vs 2.47), 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.