SMH vs. SCHH
SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) and SCHH (Schwab US REIT ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SMH is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index, while SCHH is a REIT fund tracking the Dow Jones Equity All REIT Capped Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SMH returned 37.49%/yr vs 4.51%/yr for SCHH. At a 0.36 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SMH charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for SCHH.
Performance
SMH vs. SCHH - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SMH achieves a 72.15% return, which is significantly higher than SCHH's 16.33% return. Over the past 10 years, SMH has outperformed SCHH with an annualized return of 37.49%, while SCHH has yielded a comparatively lower 4.51% annualized return.
SMH
- 1D
- 1.72%
- 1M
- 7.20%
- YTD
- 72.15%
- 6M
- 75.62%
- 1Y
- 141.99%
- 3Y*
- 60.05%
- 5Y*
- 38.42%
- 10Y*
- 37.49%
SCHH
- 1D
- 1.00%
- 1M
- 3.60%
- YTD
- 16.33%
- 6M
- 16.33%
- 1Y
- 17.06%
- 3Y*
- 11.02%
- 5Y*
- 3.40%
- 10Y*
- 4.51%
SMH vs. SCHH - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF | 72.15% | 49.17% | 39.10% | 73.38% | -33.53% | 42.13% | 55.53% | 64.45% | -9.05% | 38.48% |
SCHH Schwab US REIT ETF | 16.33% | 2.20% | 4.99% | 11.18% | -24.99% | 41.07% | -14.81% | 22.85% | -4.26% | 3.68% |
Correlation
The correlation between SMH and SCHH is 0.09, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.09 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.17 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.33 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.31 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 13, 2011 | 0.36 |
Over the past year, the correlation between SMH and SCHH has dropped to 0.09 - well below their long-term average of 0.36, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
SMH vs. SCHH - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
SMH
SCHH
Technology
-
Basic Materials
-
Communication Services
-
-
Consumer Cyclical
-
-
Consumer Defensive
-
-
Energy
-
-
Financial Services
-
Healthcare
-
-
Industrials
-
-
Real Estate
-
Utilities
-
-
Technology
SMH
SCHH
-
Basic Materials
SMH
-
SCHH
Communication Services
SMH
-
SCHH
-
Consumer Cyclical
SMH
-
SCHH
-
Consumer Defensive
SMH
-
SCHH
-
Energy
SMH
-
SCHH
-
Financial Services
SMH
-
SCHH
Healthcare
SMH
-
SCHH
-
Industrials
SMH
-
SCHH
-
Real Estate
SMH
-
SCHH
Utilities
SMH
-
SCHH
-
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
SMH vs. SCHH — Risk / Return Rank
SMH
SCHH
SMH vs. SCHH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) and Schwab US REIT ETF (SCHH). 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.
| SMH | SCHH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +2.95 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +2.59 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.60 | 1.21 | +0.39 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 9.18 | 1.94 | +7.25 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 33.74 | 6.10 | +27.64 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
SMH vs. SCHH - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SMH drawdown since its inception was -84.96%, which is greater than SCHH's maximum drawdown of -44.22%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMH and SCHH.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| SMH | SCHH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -84.96% | -44.22% | -40.74% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.93% | -8.28% | -6.65% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -35.74% | -17.76% | -17.98% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -45.30% | -33.28% | -12.02% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -45.30% | -44.22% | -1.08% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.81% | 0.00% | -2.81% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -41.04% | -9.43% | -31.61% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.06% | 2.63% | +1.43% |
Volatility
SMH vs. SCHH - Volatility Comparison
VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has a higher volatility of 16.25% compared to Schwab US REIT ETF (SCHH) at 4.83%. This indicates that SMH's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SCHH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| SMH | SCHH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 16.25% | 4.83% | +11.42% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 27.73% | 9.98% | +17.75% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 33.20% | 13.56% | +19.64% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 35.47% | 18.74% | +16.73% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 32.82% | 20.99% | +11.83% |
SMH vs. SCHH - Expense Ratio Comparison
SMH has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHH's 0.07% expense ratio.
Dividends
SMH vs. SCHH - Dividend Comparison
SMH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.18%, less than SCHH's 2.69% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SCHH Schwab US REIT ETF | 2.69% | 3.04% | 3.22% | 3.24% | 2.55% | 1.50% | 2.86% | 2.86% | 3.64% | 2.22% | 2.81% | 2.48% |
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 SCHH have a correlation of 0.09, 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 SCHH (4.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SMH dropped -84.96% vs SCHH's -44.22%.
On 10-year performance, SMH leads with 37.49% vs 4.51% for SCHH. On fees, SCHH is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, SCHH has been the lower-risk option at 4.83%. 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 4.51%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SCHH is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for SMH.
SCHH has the higher dividend yield at 2.69%, compared with 0.18% for SMH.
SMH is categorized as Semiconductors, while SCHH is REIT. SMH tracks MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index, while SCHH tracks Dow Jones Equity All REIT Capped Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for SMH and 0.07% for SCHH.
SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.13 vs 1.18), 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.
Find the right allocation for SMH and SCHH
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer