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SMH vs. EEM
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

SMH vs. EEM

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) and EEM (iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SMH is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index, while EEM is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (Net). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SMH returned 37.49%/yr vs 9.91%/yr for EEM. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SMH charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.72%/yr for EEM.

Performance

SMH vs. EEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SMH achieves a 72.15% return, which is significantly higher than EEM's 24.07% return. Over the past 10 years, SMH has outperformed EEM with an annualized return of 37.49%, while EEM has yielded a comparatively lower 9.91% annualized return.

SMH

1D
1.72%
1M
8.30%
YTD
72.15%
6M
75.62%
1Y
136.32%
3Y*
60.05%
5Y*
38.42%
10Y*
37.49%

EEM

1D
0.56%
1M
1.00%
YTD
24.07%
6M
26.94%
1Y
45.22%
3Y*
21.60%
5Y*
6.56%
10Y*
9.91%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

SMH vs. EEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
SMH
VanEck Semiconductor ETF		72.15%49.17%39.10%73.38%-33.53%42.13%55.53%64.45%-9.05%38.48%
EEM
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF		24.07%33.98%6.49%8.95%-20.56%-3.63%17.02%18.22%-15.31%37.26%

Correlation

The correlation between SMH and EEM is 0.76, 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

0.76

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.65

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.65

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.65

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 14, 2003

0.64

The correlation between SMH and EEM shifts across timeframes, from 0.64 (all time) to 0.76 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SMH vs. EEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
SMH
EEM

Technology

100.0%
43.6%

Basic Materials

-

6.1%

Communication Services

-

5.7%

Consumer Cyclical

-

8.1%

Consumer Defensive

-

2.7%

Energy

-

3.3%

Financial Services

-

17.5%

Healthcare

-

2.5%

Industrials

-

6.2%

Real Estate

-

0.9%

Utilities

-

2.0%

Technology

SMH
100.0%
EEM
43.6%

Basic Materials

SMH

-

EEM
6.1%

Communication Services

SMH

-

EEM
5.7%

Consumer Cyclical

SMH

-

EEM
8.1%

Consumer Defensive

SMH

-

EEM
2.7%

Energy

SMH

-

EEM
3.3%

Financial Services

SMH

-

EEM
17.5%

Healthcare

SMH

-

EEM
2.5%

Industrials

SMH

-

EEM
6.2%

Real Estate

SMH

-

EEM
0.9%

Utilities

SMH

-

EEM
2.0%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

VanEck Semiconductor ETF

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF

Often compared with SMH:
SMH vs. SOXXSMH vs. QQQSMH vs. VGTSMH vs. FSELXSMH vs. SPYSMH vs. SMHXSMH vs. XLK
Often compared with EEM:
EEM vs. VWOEEM vs. SPYEEM vs. IEMGEEM vs. IS3N.DEEEM vs. VXUSEEM vs. EEMSEEM vs. SPEM

Return for Risk

SMH vs. EEM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
SMH
SMH Risk / Return Rank: 9696
Overall Rank
SMH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9797
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SMH Sortino Ratio Rank: 9494
Sortino Ratio Rank
SMH Omega Ratio Rank: 9494
Omega Ratio Rank
SMH Calmar Ratio Rank: 9797
Calmar Ratio Rank
SMH Martin Ratio Rank: 9696
Martin Ratio Rank
EEM
EEM Risk / Return Rank: 7575
Overall Rank
EEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7676
Sharpe Ratio Rank
EEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 7070
Sortino Ratio Rank
EEM Omega Ratio Rank: 7878
Omega Ratio Rank
EEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 7575
Calmar Ratio Rank
EEM Martin Ratio Rank: 7575
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

SMH vs. EEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM). 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.

SMHEEMDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
4.13
2.10

+2.03

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
4.26
2.73

+1.53

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.60

1.40

+0.20

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

9.18

3.36

+5.82

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

33.74

12.38

+21.35

SMH vs. EEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SMH Sharpe Ratio is 4.13, which is higher than the EEM Sharpe Ratio of 2.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SMH and EEM, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

SMH vs. EEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMH drawdown since its inception was -84.96%, which is greater than EEM's maximum drawdown of -66.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMH and EEM.

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Drawdown Indicators

SMHEEMDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-84.96%

-66.43%

-18.53%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-14.93%

-13.52%

-1.41%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-35.74%

-17.29%

-18.45%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-45.30%

-37.49%

-7.81%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-45.30%

-39.82%

-5.48%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-2.81%

-4.12%

+1.31%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-41.04%

-16.00%

-25.04%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

4.06%

3.67%

+0.39%

Volatility

SMH vs. EEM - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has a higher volatility of 16.25% compared to iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM) at 10.80%. This indicates that SMH's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

SMHEEMDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

16.25%

10.80%

+5.45%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

27.73%

19.39%

+8.34%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

33.20%

21.64%

+11.56%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

35.47%

19.26%

+16.21%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

32.82%

20.64%

+12.18%

SMH vs. EEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

SMH has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than EEM's 0.72% expense ratio.

Dividends

SMH vs. EEM - Dividend Comparison

SMH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.18%, less than EEM's 1.79% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
EEM
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF		1.79%2.22%2.43%2.63%2.50%1.99%1.45%2.76%2.24%1.89%1.89%2.49%
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

SMH and EEM have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

SMH has higher volatility (16.25%) compared to EEM (10.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SMH dropped -84.96% vs EEM's -66.43%.

On 10-year performance, SMH leads with 37.49% vs 9.91% for EEM. On fees, SMH is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, EEM has been the lower-risk option at 10.80%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, SMH has performed better with a 37.49% return vs 9.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

SMH is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.72% for EEM.

EEM has the higher dividend yield at 1.79%, compared with 0.18% for SMH.

SMH is categorized as Semiconductors, while EEM is Emerging Markets Diversified. SMH tracks MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index, while EEM tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Index (Net). They also come from different issuers: VanEck and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for SMH and 0.72% for EEM.

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.13 vs 2.10), 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.

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