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SMH vs. QUAL
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

SMH vs. QUAL

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) and QUAL (iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SMH is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index, while QUAL is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SMH returned 37.49%/yr vs 14.46%/yr for QUAL. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SMH charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for QUAL.

Performance

SMH vs. QUAL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) and iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL). 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 QUAL's 9.44% return. Over the past 10 years, SMH has outperformed QUAL with an annualized return of 37.49%, while QUAL has yielded a comparatively lower 14.46% 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%

QUAL

1D
0.47%
1M
2.82%
YTD
9.44%
6M
9.29%
1Y
20.90%
3Y*
19.30%
5Y*
11.97%
10Y*
14.46%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

SMH vs. QUAL - 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%
QUAL
iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF		9.44%12.65%22.29%30.88%-20.50%26.94%17.04%33.89%-5.70%22.26%

Correlation

The correlation between SMH and QUAL is 0.69, 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

0.69

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

0.76

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

0.80

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

0.76

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 18, 2013

0.75

The correlation between SMH and QUAL shifts across timeframes, from 0.69 (1 year) to 0.80 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SMH vs. QUAL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
SMH
QUAL

Technology

100.0%
36.5%

Basic Materials

-

1.7%

Communication Services

-

11.1%

Consumer Cyclical

-

9.3%

Consumer Defensive

-

4.9%

Energy

-

4.0%

Financial Services

-

11.5%

Healthcare

-

9.0%

Industrials

-

8.2%

Real Estate

-

1.8%

Utilities

-

1.9%

Technology

SMH
100.0%
QUAL
36.5%

Basic Materials

SMH

-

QUAL
1.7%

Communication Services

SMH

-

QUAL
11.1%

Consumer Cyclical

SMH

-

QUAL
9.3%

Consumer Defensive

SMH

-

QUAL
4.9%

Energy

SMH

-

QUAL
4.0%

Financial Services

SMH

-

QUAL
11.5%

Healthcare

SMH

-

QUAL
9.0%

Industrials

SMH

-

QUAL
8.2%

Real Estate

SMH

-

QUAL
1.8%

Utilities

SMH

-

QUAL
1.9%

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 USA Quality Factor ETF

Often compared with SMH:
SMH vs. SOXXSMH vs. QQQSMH vs. VGTSMH vs. FSELXSMH vs. SPYSMH vs. SMHXSMH vs. XLK
Often compared with QUAL:
QUAL vs. SPHQQUAL vs. SPYQUAL vs. MTUMQUAL vs. USMVQUAL vs. VOOQUAL vs. IVVQUAL vs. SCHD

Return for Risk

SMH vs. QUAL — 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
QUAL
QUAL Risk / Return Rank: 5959
Overall Rank
QUAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5959
Sharpe Ratio Rank
QUAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 6060
Sortino Ratio Rank
QUAL Omega Ratio Rank: 5656
Omega Ratio Rank
QUAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 5353
Calmar Ratio Rank
QUAL Martin Ratio Rank: 6767
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. QUAL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) and iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL). 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.

SMHQUALDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
4.13
1.74

+2.40

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
4.26
2.46

+1.80

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.60

1.31

+0.29

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

9.18

2.32

+6.86

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

33.74

10.60

+23.14

SMH vs. QUAL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SMH Sharpe Ratio is 4.13, which is higher than the QUAL Sharpe Ratio of 1.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SMH and QUAL, 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. QUAL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMH drawdown since its inception was -84.96%, which is greater than QUAL's maximum drawdown of -34.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMH and QUAL.

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Drawdown Indicators

SMHQUALDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-84.96%

-34.06%

-50.90%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-14.93%

-9.03%

-5.90%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-35.74%

-18.00%

-17.74%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-45.30%

-28.23%

-17.07%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-45.30%

-34.06%

-11.24%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-2.81%

-0.19%

-2.62%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-41.04%

-4.10%

-36.94%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

4.06%

1.99%

+2.07%

Volatility

SMH vs. QUAL - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has a higher volatility of 16.25% compared to iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) at 3.63%. This indicates that SMH's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QUAL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

SMHQUALDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

16.25%

3.63%

+12.62%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

27.73%

9.43%

+18.30%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

33.20%

12.10%

+21.10%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

35.47%

17.36%

+18.11%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

32.82%

18.11%

+14.71%

SMH vs. QUAL - Expense Ratio Comparison

SMH has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than QUAL's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

SMH vs. QUAL - Dividend Comparison

SMH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.18%, less than QUAL's 0.87% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
QUAL
iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF		0.87%0.94%1.02%1.23%1.59%1.20%1.39%1.60%2.00%1.76%1.96%1.63%
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 QUAL have a correlation of 0.69, 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 QUAL (3.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SMH dropped -84.96% vs QUAL's -34.06%.

On 10-year performance, SMH leads with 37.49% vs 14.46% for QUAL. On fees, QUAL is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, QUAL has been the lower-risk option at 3.63%. 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 14.46%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

QUAL is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for SMH.

QUAL has the higher dividend yield at 0.87%, compared with 0.18% for SMH.

SMH is categorized as Semiconductors, while QUAL is Large Cap Blend Equities. SMH tracks MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index, while QUAL tracks MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for SMH and 0.15% for QUAL.

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.13 vs 1.74), 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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