SMHX vs. HODL

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF (SMHX) and VanEck Bitcoin Trust (HODL).

SMHX and HODL are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. SMHX is a passively managed fund by VanEck that tracks the performance of the MarketVector™ US Listed Fabless Semiconductor Index. It was launched on Aug 27, 2024. HODL is a passively managed fund by VanEck that tracks the performance of the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant. It was launched on Jan 4, 2024. Both SMHX and HODL are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

SMHX vs. HODL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF (SMHX) and VanEck Bitcoin Trust (HODL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

SMHX vs. HODL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
SMHX VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF	-0.32%	30.00%	17.76%
HODL VanEck Bitcoin Trust	-22.04%	-6.42%	58.65%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SMHX achieves a -0.32% return, which is significantly higher than HODL's -22.04% return.

SMHX

• 1D: 1.86%
• 1M: -2.70%
• YTD: -0.32%
• 6M: -1.36%
• 1Y: 60.74%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

HODL

• 1D: 0.63%
• 1M: -1.38%
• YTD: -22.04%
• 6M: -42.00%
• 1Y: -19.80%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SMHX vs. HODL - Expense Ratio Comparison

SMHX has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than HODL's 0.25% expense ratio.

SMHX

VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF

HODL

VanEck Bitcoin Trust

Return for Risk

SMHX vs. HODL — Risk / Return Rank

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

SMHX

SMHX Risk / Return Rank: 83
SMHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
SMHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
SMHX Omega Ratio Rank: 77
SMHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
SMHX Martin Ratio Rank: 82

HODL

HODL Risk / Return Rank: 6
HODL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
HODL Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
HODL Omega Ratio Rank: 6
HODL Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
HODL Martin Ratio Rank: 6

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.

SMHX vs. HODL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF (SMHX) and VanEck Bitcoin Trust (HODL). 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.

	SMHX	HODL	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.55	-0.44	+1.99
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.19	-0.37	+2.56
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	0.96	+0.34
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.56	-0.35	+3.91
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.59	-0.75	+10.34
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SMHX vs. HODL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SMHX Sharpe Ratio is 1.55, which is higher than the HODL Sharpe Ratio of -0.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SMHX and HODL, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SMHX	HODL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.55	-0.44	+1.99
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.77	0.37	+0.41

Correlation

The correlation between SMHX and HODL is 0.40, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

SMHX vs. HODL - Dividend Comparison

SMHX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.02%, while HODL has not paid dividends to shareholders.

	TTM	2025	2024
SMHX VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF	0.02%	0.02%	0.04%
HODL VanEck Bitcoin Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

SMHX vs. HODL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SMHX drawdown since its inception was -38.53%, smaller than the maximum HODL drawdown of -49.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMHX and HODL.

Drawdown Indicators

	SMHX	HODL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.53%	-49.25%	+10.72%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.51%	-49.25%	+31.74%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.19%	-45.67%	+35.48%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.94%	-14.14%	+6.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.50%	23.20%	-16.70%

Volatility

SMHX vs. HODL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF (SMHX) is 11.28%, while VanEck Bitcoin Trust (HODL) has a volatility of 12.99%. This indicates that SMHX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than HODL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SMHX	HODL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.28%	12.99%	-1.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	24.45%	36.72%	-12.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	39.40%	45.07%	-5.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	39.80%	50.90%	-11.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	39.80%	50.90%	-11.10%