TEC vs. SMH

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TEC (Harbor Transformative Technologies ETF) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - TEC is a Technology Equities fund actively managed by Harbor, while SMH is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. TEC is actively managed, while SMH is passively managed. Over the past year, TEC returned 41.52% vs 157.20% for SMH. A 0.80 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. TEC charges 0.69%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMH.

Performance

TEC vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TEC achieves a 20.38% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 77.13% return.

TEC

• 1D: -1.25%
• 1M: 11.87%
• YTD: 20.38%
• 6M: 18.30%
• 1Y: 41.52%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SMH

• 1D: 0.90%
• 1M: 25.87%
• YTD: 77.13%
• 6M: 75.61%
• 1Y: 157.20%
• 3Y*: 64.17%
• 5Y*: 39.21%
• 10Y*: 37.68%

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

TEC vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
TEC Harbor Transformative Technologies ETF	20.38%	44.91%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	77.13%	87.63%

Correlation

The correlation between TEC and SMH is 0.79, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 21, 2025	0.80

The correlation between TEC and SMH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.

TEC vs. SMH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	TEC	SMH
Technology	69.5%	100.0%
Communication Services	13.5%	-
Consumer Cyclical	9.3%	-
Healthcare	4.2%	-
Utilities	1.5%	-
Financial Services	1.1%	-
Industrials	1.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

TEC vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

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

TEC

TEC Risk / Return Rank: 55
TEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
TEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
TEC Omega Ratio Rank: 58
TEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
TEC Martin Ratio Rank: 45

SMH

SMH Risk / Return Rank: 96
SMH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
SMH Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
SMH Omega Ratio Rank: 95
SMH Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
SMH Martin Ratio Rank: 96

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.

TEC vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Harbor Transformative Technologies ETF (TEC) 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.

	TEC	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.08	5.19	-3.11
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.71	5.22	-2.51
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.72	-0.37
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.38	10.59	-8.21
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.40	40.63	-33.22
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TEC vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TEC Sharpe Ratio is 2.08, which is lower than the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 5.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TEC and SMH, 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

	TEC	SMH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.08	5.19	-3.11
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.13	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	1.16	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	3.08	0.34	+2.74

Drawdowns

TEC vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TEC drawdown since its inception was -17.50%, smaller than the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TEC and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	TEC	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.50%	-84.96%	+67.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.50%	-14.93%	-2.57%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-35.74%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-45.30%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-45.30%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.25%	0.00%	-1.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.46%	-41.09%	+37.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.62%	3.89%	+1.73%

Volatility

TEC vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Harbor Transformative Technologies ETF (TEC) is 5.28%, while VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has a volatility of 11.47%. This indicates that TEC 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

	TEC	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.28%	11.47%	-6.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.48%	24.29%	-8.81%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.11%	30.56%	-10.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.95%	35.01%	-14.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.95%	32.57%	-11.62%

TEC vs. SMH - Expense Ratio Comparison

TEC has a 0.69% expense ratio, which is higher than SMH's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

TEC vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

TEC has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SMH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.17%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	0.17%	0.31%	0.44%	0.60%	1.18%	0.51%	0.69%	1.50%	1.88%	1.43%	0.80%	2.14%
TEC Harbor Transformative Technologies ETF	0.00%	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 TEC and SMH in my portfolio?

TEC and SMH have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TEC or SMH?

SMH has higher volatility (11.47%) compared to TEC (5.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TEC dropped -17.50% vs SMH's -84.96%.

Which ETF is better, TEC or SMH?

On 1-year performance, SMH leads with 157.20% vs 41.52% for TEC. On fees, SMH is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, TEC has been the lower-risk option at 5.28%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TEC or SMH?

Over the 1-year period, SMH has performed better with a 157.20% return vs 41.52%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TEC or SMH?

SMH is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for TEC.

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

SMH has the higher dividend yield at 0.17%, compared with 0.00% for TEC.

What is the main difference between TEC and SMH?

TEC is categorized as Technology Equities, while SMH is Semiconductors. They also come from different issuers: Harbor and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.69% for TEC and 0.35% for SMH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.19 vs 2.08), 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.