SYF vs. SMH

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Synchrony Financial (SYF) and VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH).

SMH is a passively managed fund by VanEck that tracks the performance of the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. It was launched on Dec 20, 2011.

Performance

SYF vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Synchrony Financial (SYF) and VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

SYF vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SYF Synchrony Financial	-17.78%	30.64%	74.01%	19.76%	-27.43%	36.40%	-0.08%	57.48%	-37.84%	8.35%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	8.84%	49.17%	39.10%	73.38%	-33.53%	42.13%	55.53%	64.45%	-9.05%	38.48%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SYF achieves a -17.78% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 8.84% return. Over the past 10 years, SYF has underperformed SMH with an annualized return of 11.35%, while SMH has yielded a comparatively higher 31.58% annualized return.

SYF

• 1D: 0.44%
• 1M: -0.47%
• YTD: -17.78%
• 6M: -1.37%
• 1Y: 30.61%
• 3Y*: 35.97%
• 5Y*: 12.91%
• 10Y*: 11.35%

SMH

• 1D: 2.24%
• 1M: -3.55%
• YTD: 8.84%
• 6M: 17.83%
• 1Y: 85.04%
• 3Y*: 44.53%
• 5Y*: 26.15%
• 10Y*: 31.58%

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

Return for Risk

SYF vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

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

SYF

SYF Risk / Return Rank: 65
SYF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
SYF Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
SYF Omega Ratio Rank: 64
SYF Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
SYF Martin Ratio Rank: 66

SMH

SMH Risk / Return Rank: 95
SMH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
SMH Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
SMH Omega Ratio Rank: 92
SMH Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
SMH Martin Ratio Rank: 97

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.

SYF vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Synchrony Financial (SYF) and VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH). 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.

	SYF	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.79	2.32	-1.52
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.23	2.92	-1.69
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.41	-0.23
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.14	5.39	-4.25
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	2.97	19.22	-16.25
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SYF vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SYF Sharpe Ratio is 0.79, which is lower than the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 2.32. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SYF and SMH, 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

	SYF	SMH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.79	2.32	-1.52
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.35	0.76	-0.40
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.29	0.98	-0.69
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.32	0.28	+0.04

Correlation

The correlation between SYF and SMH is 0.42, 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

SYF vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

SYF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.76%, more than SMH's 0.28% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SYF Synchrony Financial	1.76%	1.38%	1.54%	2.51%	2.74%	1.90%	2.54%	2.39%	3.07%	1.45%	0.72%	0.00%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	0.28%	0.31%	0.44%	0.60%	1.18%	0.51%	0.69%	1.50%	1.88%	1.43%	0.80%	2.14%

Drawdowns

SYF vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SYF drawdown since its inception was -66.37%, smaller than the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SYF and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	SYF	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-66.37%	-84.96%	+18.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-27.61%	-15.95%	-11.66%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-46.65%	-45.30%	-1.35%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-66.37%	-45.30%	-21.07%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-22.46%	-8.02%	-14.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.99%	-41.35%	+24.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.56%	4.47%	+6.09%

Volatility

SYF vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Synchrony Financial (SYF) is 6.94%, while VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has a volatility of 11.74%. This indicates that SYF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SMH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SYF	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.94%	11.74%	-4.80%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.09%	24.02%	-0.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	38.71%	36.88%	+1.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.76%	34.68%	+2.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	39.45%	32.29%	+7.16%