SMGB.L vs. VUAG.L

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

SMGB.L (VanEck Semiconductor UCITS ETF) and VUAG.L (Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF (USD) Accumulating) are both exchange-traded funds - SMGB.L is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MarketVector US Listed Semiconductor 10% Capped Screened Index, while VUAG.L is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SMGB.L returned 38.58%/yr vs 14.39%/yr for VUAG.L. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SMGB.L charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VUAG.L.

Performance

SMGB.L vs. VUAG.L - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a £10,000 investment in VanEck Semiconductor UCITS ETF (SMGB.L) and Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF (USD) Accumulating (VUAG.L). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SMGB.L achieves a 87.48% return, which is significantly higher than VUAG.L's 8.79% return.

SMGB.L

• 1D: 5.59%
• 1M: 11.03%
• YTD: 87.48%
• 6M: 89.61%
• 1Y: 168.08%
• 3Y*: 55.48%
• 5Y*: 38.58%
• 10Y*: —

VUAG.L

• 1D: 1.48%
• 1M: -0.32%
• YTD: 8.79%
• 6M: 9.16%
• 1Y: 26.56%
• 3Y*: 18.26%
• 5Y*: 14.39%
• 10Y*: —

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

SMGB.L vs. VUAG.L - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
SMGB.L VanEck Semiconductor UCITS ETF	87.48%	38.79%	26.32%	66.15%	-27.78%	44.41%	-0.72%
VUAG.L Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF (USD) Accumulating	8.79%	9.36%	27.34%	19.65%	-8.87%	30.97%	-1.00%

Correlation

The correlation between SMGB.L and VUAG.L is 0.68, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.68
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.71
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 10, 2020	0.71

The correlation between SMGB.L and VUAG.L has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.68 to 0.72 - a consistent structural relationship.

SMGB.L vs. VUAG.L - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SMGB.L	VUAG.L
Technology	100.0%	35.7%
Basic Materials	-	1.8%
Communication Services	-	11.3%
Consumer Cyclical	-	10.2%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.9%
Energy	-	3.5%
Financial Services	-	11.6%
Healthcare	-	8.5%
Industrials	-	8.3%
Real Estate	-	1.9%
Utilities	-	2.4%

Return for Risk

SMGB.L vs. VUAG.L — Risk / Return Rank

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

SMGB.L

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

VUAG.L

VUAG.L Risk / Return Rank: 82
VUAG.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
VUAG.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
VUAG.L Omega Ratio Rank: 85
VUAG.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
VUAG.L Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

SMGB.L vs. VUAG.L - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Semiconductor UCITS ETF (SMGB.L) and Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF (USD) Accumulating (VUAG.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.

	SMGB.L	VUAG.L	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	5.07	2.39	+2.68
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.23	3.22	+2.00
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.68	1.45	+0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	13.71	3.66	+10.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	45.80	13.20	+32.60

SMGB.L vs. VUAG.L - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SMGB.L Sharpe Ratio is 5.07, which is higher than the VUAG.L Sharpe Ratio of 2.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SMGB.L and VUAG.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

SMGB.L vs. VUAG.L - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMGB.L drawdown since its inception was -36.23%, which is greater than VUAG.L's maximum drawdown of -30.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMGB.L and VUAG.L.

Drawdown Indicators

	SMGB.L	VUAG.L	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.23%	-30.82%	-5.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.94%	-7.11%	-4.83%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-36.23%	-20.88%	-15.35%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.23%	-20.88%	-15.35%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.44%	-1.82%	+0.38%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.83%	-5.47%	-4.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.58%	1.98%	+1.60%

Volatility

SMGB.L vs. VUAG.L - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Semiconductor UCITS ETF (SMGB.L) has a higher volatility of 13.95% compared to Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF (USD) Accumulating (VUAG.L) at 3.57%. This indicates that SMGB.L's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VUAG.L based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SMGB.L	VUAG.L	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.95%	3.57%	+10.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	25.73%	7.56%	+18.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	32.29%	10.90%	+21.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	30.70%	14.36%	+16.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	30.40%	17.88%	+12.52%

SMGB.L vs. VUAG.L - Expense Ratio Comparison

SMGB.L has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than VUAG.L's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

SMGB.L vs. VUAG.L - Dividend Comparison

Neither SMGB.L nor VUAG.L has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
SMGB.L VanEck Semiconductor UCITS ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VUAG.L Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF (USD) Accumulating	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	1.80%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SMGB.L and VUAG.L in my portfolio?

SMGB.L and VUAG.L have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, SMGB.L or VUAG.L?

On fees, VUAG.L is cheaper at 0.07% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, SMGB.L or VUAG.L?

VUAG.L is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for SMGB.L.

What is the main difference between SMGB.L and VUAG.L?

SMGB.L is categorized as Semiconductors, while VUAG.L is S&P 500. SMGB.L tracks MarketVector US Listed Semiconductor 10% Capped Screened Index, while VUAG.L tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for SMGB.L and 0.07% for VUAG.L.