SMH vs. XLP

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) and XLP (State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SMH is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index, while XLP is a Consumer Staples Equities fund tracking the Consumer Staples Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SMH returned 36.92%/yr vs 7.21%/yr for XLP. At a 0.34 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SMH charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLP.

Performance

SMH vs. XLP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) and State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SMH achieves a 66.10% return, which is significantly higher than XLP's 7.54% return. Over the past 10 years, SMH has outperformed XLP with an annualized return of 36.92%, while XLP has yielded a comparatively lower 7.21% annualized return.

SMH

• 1D: 5.00%
• 1M: 5.58%
• YTD: 66.10%
• 6M: 62.81%
• 1Y: 137.42%
• 3Y*: 60.43%
• 5Y*: 37.89%
• 10Y*: 36.92%

XLP

• 1D: -0.44%
• 1M: -1.32%
• YTD: 7.54%
• 6M: 8.22%
• 1Y: 4.50%
• 3Y*: 7.23%
• 5Y*: 6.10%
• 10Y*: 7.21%

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

SMH vs. XLP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	66.10%	49.17%	39.10%	73.38%	-33.53%	42.13%	55.53%	64.45%	-9.05%	38.48%
XLP State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF	7.54%	1.52%	12.20%	-0.82%	-0.81%	17.20%	10.11%	27.43%	-8.07%	12.98%

Correlation

The correlation between SMH and XLP is -0.18, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.18
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.03
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.13
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.23
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 5, 2000	0.34

The correlation between SMH and XLP shifts across timeframes, from -0.18 (1 year) to 0.34 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SMH vs. XLP - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SMH	XLP
Technology	100.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	1.0%
Consumer Defensive	-	99.0%
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

SMH vs. XLP — Risk / Return Rank

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

SMH

SMH Risk / Return Rank: 96
SMH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
SMH Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
SMH Omega Ratio Rank: 94
SMH Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
SMH Martin Ratio Rank: 96

XLP

XLP Risk / Return Rank: 15
XLP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
XLP Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
XLP Omega Ratio Rank: 14
XLP Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
XLP Martin Ratio Rank: 14

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. XLP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) and State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP). 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.

	SMH	XLP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	4.27	0.36	+3.92
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.33	0.60	+3.74
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.62	1.07	+0.55
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	9.26	0.47	+8.79
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	34.80	0.91	+33.89
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SMH vs. XLP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SMH Sharpe Ratio is 4.27, which is higher than the XLP Sharpe Ratio of 0.36. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SMH and XLP, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SMH	XLP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.27	0.36	+3.92
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.08	0.46	+0.62
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.13	0.49	+0.64
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.33	0.44	-0.11

Drawdowns

SMH vs. XLP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMH drawdown since its inception was -84.96%, which is greater than XLP's maximum drawdown of -35.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMH and XLP.

Drawdown Indicators

	SMH	XLP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-84.96%	-35.90%	-49.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.93%	-9.69%	-5.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-35.74%	-12.39%	-23.35%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-45.30%	-16.30%	-29.00%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.30%	-24.51%	-20.79%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.23%	-7.19%	+0.96%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-41.07%	-7.06%	-34.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.96%	4.97%	-1.01%

Volatility

SMH vs. XLP - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has a higher volatility of 15.45% compared to State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) at 4.30%. This indicates that SMH's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SMH	XLP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	15.45%	4.30%	+11.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	26.71%	9.97%	+16.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	32.42%	12.75%	+19.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	35.32%	13.31%	+22.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	32.75%	14.74%	+18.01%

SMH vs. XLP - Expense Ratio Comparison

SMH has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than XLP's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

SMH vs. XLP - Dividend Comparison

SMH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.18%, less than XLP's 2.62% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
XLP State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.62%	2.75%	2.77%	2.63%	2.47%	2.28%	2.50%	2.57%	3.04%	2.62%	2.53%	2.52%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SMH and XLP in my portfolio?

SMH and XLP have a correlation of -0.18, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SMH or XLP?

SMH has higher volatility (15.45%) compared to XLP (4.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SMH dropped -84.96% vs XLP's -35.90%.

Which ETF is better, SMH or XLP?

On 10-year performance, SMH leads with 36.92% vs 7.21% for XLP. On fees, XLP is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLP has been the lower-risk option at 4.30%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SMH or XLP?

Over the 10-year period, SMH has performed better with a 36.92% return vs 7.21%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SMH or XLP?

XLP is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for SMH.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SMH or XLP?

XLP has the higher dividend yield at 2.62%, compared with 0.18% for SMH.

What is the main difference between SMH and XLP?

SMH is categorized as Semiconductors, while XLP is Consumer Staples Equities. SMH tracks MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index, while XLP tracks Consumer Staples Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for SMH and 0.08% for XLP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.27 vs 0.36), 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.