TECB vs. SMH

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TECB (iShares U.S. Tech Breakthrough Multisector ETF) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - TECB is a Technology Equities fund tracking the NYSE FactSet U.S. Tech Breakthrough Index, while SMH is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, TECB returned 14.60%/yr vs 39.21%/yr for SMH. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TECB charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMH.

Performance

TECB vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares U.S. Tech Breakthrough Multisector ETF (TECB) 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, TECB achieves a 19.78% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 77.13% return.

TECB

• 1D: -0.89%
• 1M: 12.64%
• YTD: 19.78%
• 6M: 18.27%
• 1Y: 34.41%
• 3Y*: 26.35%
• 5Y*: 14.60%
• 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)

TECB vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
TECB iShares U.S. Tech Breakthrough Multisector ETF	19.78%	14.86%	24.38%	57.53%	-34.39%	19.60%	39.90%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	77.13%	49.17%	39.10%	73.38%	-33.53%	42.13%	53.81%

Correlation

The correlation between TECB and SMH is 0.68, 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	0.68
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.78
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 13, 2020	0.82

The correlation between TECB and SMH shifts across timeframes, from 0.68 (1 year) to 0.82 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

TECB vs. SMH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	TECB	SMH
Technology	63.2%	100.0%
Healthcare	11.1%	-
Communication Services	11.1%	-
Financial Services	5.7%	-
Consumer Cyclical	5.4%	-
Real Estate	1.8%	-
Industrials	1.0%	-
Energy	0.7%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

TECB vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

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

TECB

TECB Risk / Return Rank: 51
TECB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
TECB Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
TECB Omega Ratio Rank: 54
TECB Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
TECB Martin Ratio Rank: 39

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.

TECB vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Tech Breakthrough Multisector ETF (TECB) 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.

	TECB	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.03	5.19	-3.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.75	5.22	-2.47
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.72	-0.38
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.13	10.59	-8.46
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.24	40.63	-34.39
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TECB vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TECB Sharpe Ratio is 2.03, which is lower than the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 5.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TECB 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

	TECB	SMH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.03	5.19	-3.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.62	1.13	-0.50
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	1.16	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.73	0.34	+0.39

Drawdowns

TECB vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TECB drawdown since its inception was -41.62%, smaller than the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TECB and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	TECB	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.62%	-84.96%	+43.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.24%	-14.93%	-1.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.91%	-35.74%	+11.83%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-41.62%	-45.30%	+3.68%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-45.30%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.70%	0.00%	-1.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.18%	-41.09%	+30.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.53%	3.89%	+1.64%

Volatility

TECB vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares U.S. Tech Breakthrough Multisector ETF (TECB) is 5.28%, while VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has a volatility of 11.47%. This indicates that TECB 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

	TECB	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	13.17%	24.29%	-11.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.05%	30.56%	-13.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.51%	35.01%	-11.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.37%	32.57%	-7.20%

TECB vs. SMH - Expense Ratio Comparison

TECB has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than SMH's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

TECB vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

TECB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.28%, more than SMH's 0.17% yield.

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%
TECB iShares U.S. Tech Breakthrough Multisector ETF	0.28%	0.33%	0.35%	0.23%	0.61%	0.35%	0.77%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TECB and SMH in my portfolio?

TECB and SMH have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TECB or SMH?

SMH has higher volatility (11.47%) compared to TECB (5.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TECB dropped -41.62% vs SMH's -84.96%.

Which ETF is better, TECB or SMH?

On 5-year performance, SMH leads with 39.21% vs 14.60% for TECB. On fees, SMH is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, TECB 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, TECB or SMH?

Over the 5-year period, SMH has performed better with a 39.21% return vs 14.60%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TECB or SMH?

SMH is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for TECB.

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

TECB has the higher dividend yield at 0.28%, compared with 0.17% for SMH.

What is the main difference between TECB and SMH?

TECB is categorized as Technology Equities, while SMH is Semiconductors. TECB tracks NYSE FactSet U.S. Tech Breakthrough Index, while SMH tracks MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for TECB and 0.35% for SMH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.19 vs 2.03), 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.