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SMH vs. EFA
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

SMH vs. EFA

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) and EFA (iShares MSCI EAFE ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SMH is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index, while EFA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE Index (Net). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SMH returned 37.49%/yr vs 9.84%/yr for EFA. A 0.62 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SMH charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.32%/yr for EFA.

Performance

SMH vs. EFA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) and iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA). 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 EFA's 9.36% return. Over the past 10 years, SMH has outperformed EFA with an annualized return of 37.49%, while EFA has yielded a comparatively lower 9.84% annualized return.

SMH

1D
1.72%
1M
11.44%
YTD
72.15%
6M
75.62%
1Y
141.99%
3Y*
60.05%
5Y*
38.42%
10Y*
37.49%

EFA

1D
0.28%
1M
3.24%
YTD
9.36%
6M
10.80%
1Y
21.90%
3Y*
16.14%
5Y*
8.36%
10Y*
9.84%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

SMH vs. EFA - 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%
EFA
iShares MSCI EAFE ETF		9.36%31.55%3.49%18.36%-14.39%11.45%7.60%22.04%-13.82%25.07%

Correlation

The correlation between SMH and EFA is 0.60, 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

0.60

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

0.57

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

0.63

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

0.63

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 17, 2001

0.62

The correlation between SMH and EFA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.57 to 0.63 - a consistent structural relationship.

SMH vs. EFA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
SMH
EFA

Technology

100.0%
12.1%

Basic Materials

-

6.2%

Communication Services

-

4.6%

Consumer Cyclical

-

7.4%

Consumer Defensive

-

6.7%

Energy

-

3.8%

Financial Services

-

24.1%

Healthcare

-

10.1%

Industrials

-

18.9%

Real Estate

-

1.6%

Utilities

-

3.7%

Technology

SMH
100.0%
EFA
12.1%

Basic Materials

SMH

-

EFA
6.2%

Communication Services

SMH

-

EFA
4.6%

Consumer Cyclical

SMH

-

EFA
7.4%

Consumer Defensive

SMH

-

EFA
6.7%

Energy

SMH

-

EFA
3.8%

Financial Services

SMH

-

EFA
24.1%

Healthcare

SMH

-

EFA
10.1%

Industrials

SMH

-

EFA
18.9%

Real Estate

SMH

-

EFA
1.6%

Utilities

SMH

-

EFA
3.7%

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 EAFE ETF

Often compared with SMH:
SMH vs. SOXXSMH vs. QQQSMH vs. VGTSMH vs. FSELXSMH vs. SPYSMH vs. SMHXSMH vs. XLK
Often compared with EFA:
EFA vs. IEFAEFA vs. VEAEFA vs. EFGEFA vs. XEF.TOEFA vs. EFAVEFA vs. IEUREFA vs. EFO

Return for Risk

SMH vs. EFA — 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
EFA
EFA Risk / Return Rank: 4242
Overall Rank
EFA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4242
Sharpe Ratio Rank
EFA Sortino Ratio Rank: 4242
Sortino Ratio Rank
EFA Omega Ratio Rank: 4141
Omega Ratio Rank
EFA Calmar Ratio Rank: 4040
Calmar Ratio Rank
EFA Martin Ratio Rank: 4646
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. EFA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

SMHEFADifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
4.13
1.31

+2.82

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
4.26
1.91

+2.35

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.60

1.24

+0.36

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

9.18

1.79

+7.40

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

33.74

6.67

+27.07

SMH vs. EFA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SMH Sharpe Ratio is 4.13, which is higher than the EFA Sharpe Ratio of 1.31. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SMH and EFA, 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. EFA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMH drawdown since its inception was -84.96%, which is greater than EFA's maximum drawdown of -61.04%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMH and EFA.

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Drawdown Indicators

SMHEFADifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-84.96%

-61.04%

-23.92%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-14.93%

-11.42%

-3.51%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-35.74%

-14.05%

-21.69%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-45.30%

-29.53%

-15.77%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-45.30%

-34.19%

-11.11%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-2.81%

-0.61%

-2.20%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-41.04%

-11.92%

-29.12%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

4.06%

3.07%

+0.99%

Volatility

SMH vs. EFA - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has a higher volatility of 16.25% compared to iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA) at 5.50%. This indicates that SMH's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EFA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

SMHEFADifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

16.25%

5.50%

+10.75%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

27.73%

13.19%

+14.54%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

33.20%

15.64%

+17.56%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

35.47%

16.58%

+18.89%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

32.82%

17.27%

+15.55%

SMH vs. EFA - Expense Ratio Comparison

SMH has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than EFA's 0.32% expense ratio.

Dividends

SMH vs. EFA - Dividend Comparison

SMH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.18%, less than EFA's 3.09% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
EFA
iShares MSCI EAFE ETF		3.09%3.38%3.24%2.98%2.69%3.33%2.13%3.10%3.39%2.57%3.07%2.76%
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 EFA have a correlation of 0.60, 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 EFA (5.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SMH dropped -84.96% vs EFA's -61.04%.

On 10-year performance, SMH leads with 37.49% vs 9.84% for EFA. On fees, EFA is cheaper at 0.32% per year. On volatility, EFA has been the lower-risk option at 5.50%. 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 9.84%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

EFA is cheaper with a 0.32% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for SMH.

EFA has the higher dividend yield at 3.09%, compared with 0.18% for SMH.

SMH is categorized as Semiconductors, while EFA is Foreign Large Cap Equities. SMH tracks MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index, while EFA tracks MSCI EAFE Index (Net). They also come from different issuers: VanEck and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for SMH and 0.32% for EFA.

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.13 vs 1.31), 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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