SMHC vs. CNYA

Last updated Jul 18, 2026

SMHC (VanEck China Semiconductor ETF) and CNYA (iShares MSCI China A ETF) are both China Equities funds - SMHC tracks the MarketVector China Semiconductor 25 Index while CNYA tracks the MSCI China A Inclusion Index. Both are passively managed. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SMHC charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for CNYA.

Performance

SMHC vs. CNYA - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

SMHC

• 1D: -6.17%
• 1M: —
• 6M: —
• YTD: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

CNYA

• 1D: -2.67%
• 1M: -8.23%
• 6M: -2.15%
• YTD: 0.50%
• 1Y: 18.81%
• 3Y*: 8.47%
• 5Y*: -2.00%
• 10Y*: 4.98%

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

SMHC vs. CNYA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
SMHC VanEck China Semiconductor ETF	-15.04%
CNYA iShares MSCI China A ETF	-7.72%

Correlation

The correlation between SMHC and CNYA is 0.91, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 24, 2026	0.91

Return for Risk

SMHC vs. CNYA — Risk / Return Rank

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

SMHC

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

CNYA

CNYA Risk / Return Rank: 38
CNYA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
CNYA Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
CNYA Omega Ratio Rank: 32
CNYA Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
CNYA Martin Ratio Rank: 47

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.

SMHC vs. CNYA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck China Semiconductor ETF (SMHC) and iShares MSCI China A ETF (CNYA). 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.

	SMHC	CNYA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	0.98	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	1.43	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.18	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	1.87	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	6.30	—

Drawdowns

SMHC vs. CNYA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMHC drawdown since its inception was -24.16%, smaller than the maximum CNYA drawdown of -49.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMHC and CNYA.

Drawdown Indicators

	SMHC	CNYA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.16%	-49.49%	+25.33%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-10.37%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-33.35%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-44.65%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-49.49%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-24.16%	-20.39%	-3.77%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.02%	-20.61%	+11.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	3.08%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	SMHC	CNYA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	9.17%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	15.54%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	80.83%	19.93%	+60.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	80.83%	24.09%	+56.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	80.83%	23.62%	+57.21%

SMHC vs. CNYA - Expense Ratio Comparison

SMHC has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than CNYA's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

SMHC vs. CNYA - Dividend Comparison

SMHC has not paid dividends to shareholders, while CNYA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.87%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
CNYA iShares MSCI China A ETF	1.87%	1.92%	2.51%	4.23%	2.69%	1.11%	1.06%	1.21%	3.92%	0.97%	1.38%
SMHC VanEck China Semiconductor ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SMHC and CNYA in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, SMHC and CNYA move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which ETF is better, SMHC or CNYA?

On fees, CNYA is cheaper at 0.60% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, SMHC or CNYA?

CNYA is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for SMHC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SMHC or CNYA?

CNYA has the higher dividend yield at 1.87%, compared with 0.00% for SMHC.

What is the main difference between SMHC and CNYA?

SMHC tracks MarketVector China Semiconductor 25 Index, while CNYA tracks MSCI China A Inclusion Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for SMHC and 0.60% for CNYA.