SMHC vs. KSTR

Last updated Jul 18, 2026

SMHC (VanEck China Semiconductor ETF) and KSTR (KraneShares SSE STAR Market 50 Index ETF) are both China Equities funds - SMHC tracks the MarketVector China Semiconductor 25 Index while KSTR tracks the SSE Science and Technology Innovation Board 50 Index. Both are passively managed. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SMHC charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for KSTR.

Performance

SMHC vs. KSTR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck China Semiconductor ETF (SMHC) and KraneShares SSE STAR Market 50 Index ETF (KSTR). 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*: —

KSTR

• 1D: -5.13%
• 1M: -11.03%
• 6M: 17.18%
• YTD: 33.05%
• 1Y: 79.55%
• 3Y*: 19.87%
• 5Y*: -1.33%
• 10Y*: —

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

SMHC vs. KSTR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
SMHC VanEck China Semiconductor ETF	-15.04%
KSTR KraneShares SSE STAR Market 50 Index ETF	-10.00%

Correlation

The correlation between SMHC and KSTR is 0.94, 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	0.94

Return for Risk

SMHC vs. KSTR — 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.

KSTR

KSTR Risk / Return Rank: 74
KSTR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
KSTR Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
KSTR Omega Ratio Rank: 70
KSTR Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
KSTR Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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. KSTR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck China Semiconductor ETF (SMHC) and KraneShares SSE STAR Market 50 Index ETF (KSTR). 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	KSTR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	1.91	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	2.48	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.33	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	3.43	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	10.42	—

Drawdowns

SMHC vs. KSTR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMHC drawdown since its inception was -24.16%, smaller than the maximum KSTR drawdown of -66.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMHC and KSTR.

Drawdown Indicators

	SMHC	KSTR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.16%	-66.46%	+42.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-23.46%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-41.55%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-66.31%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-24.16%	-23.46%	-0.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.02%	-38.09%	+29.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	7.69%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	SMHC	KSTR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	21.72%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	34.20%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	80.83%	41.99%	+38.84%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	80.83%	39.48%	+41.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	80.83%	38.57%	+42.26%

SMHC vs. KSTR - Expense Ratio Comparison

SMHC has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is lower than KSTR's 0.89% expense ratio.

Dividends

SMHC vs. KSTR - Dividend Comparison

Neither SMHC nor KSTR has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SMHC and KSTR in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, SMHC and KSTR 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 KSTR?

On fees, SMHC is cheaper at 0.65% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, SMHC or KSTR?

SMHC is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.89% for KSTR.

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

SMHC and KSTR have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between SMHC and KSTR?

SMHC tracks MarketVector China Semiconductor 25 Index, while KSTR tracks SSE Science and Technology Innovation Board 50 Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and KraneShares. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for SMHC and 0.89% for KSTR.