TECL vs. SMH

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

TECL (Direxion Daily Technology Bull 3X Shares) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - TECL is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the Technology Select Sector Index (300%), while SMH is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, TECL returned 50.09%/yr vs 36.02%/yr for SMH. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TECL charges 0.91%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMH.

Performance

TECL vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily Technology Bull 3X Shares (TECL) 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, TECL achieves a 72.61% return, which is significantly higher than SMH's 58.19% return. Over the past 10 years, TECL has outperformed SMH with an annualized return of 50.09%, while SMH has yielded a comparatively lower 36.02% annualized return.

TECL

• 1D: -19.93%
• 1M: 15.09%
• YTD: 72.61%
• 6M: 62.00%
• 1Y: 182.62%
• 3Y*: 66.22%
• 5Y*: 35.93%
• 10Y*: 50.09%

SMH

• 1D: -9.22%
• 1M: 3.63%
• YTD: 58.19%
• 6M: 56.81%
• 1Y: 127.40%
• 3Y*: 58.39%
• 5Y*: 36.10%
• 10Y*: 36.02%

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

TECL vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TECL Direxion Daily Technology Bull 3X Shares	72.61%	38.60%	36.15%	203.14%	-74.32%	112.80%	69.46%	185.58%	-24.03%	124.82%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	58.19%	49.17%	39.10%	73.38%	-33.53%	42.13%	55.53%	64.45%	-9.05%	38.48%

Correlation

The correlation between TECL and SMH is 0.86, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 31, 2008	0.85

The correlation between TECL and SMH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

TECL vs. SMH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	TECL	SMH
Technology	20.4%	100.0%
Energy	0.0%	-
Industrials	0.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

TECL vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

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

TECL

TECL Risk / Return Rank: 70
TECL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
TECL Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
TECL Omega Ratio Rank: 63
TECL Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
TECL Martin Ratio Rank: 64

SMH

SMH Risk / Return Rank: 94
SMH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
SMH Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
SMH Omega Ratio Rank: 92
SMH Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
SMH Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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.

TECL vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily Technology Bull 3X Shares (TECL) 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.

	TECL	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.80	4.00	-1.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.75	4.12	-1.37
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.59	-0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.95	8.58	-4.64
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.27	32.42	-21.15
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TECL vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TECL Sharpe Ratio is 2.80, which is comparable to the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 4.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TECL 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

	TECL	SMH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.80	4.00	-1.20
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48	1.03	-0.54
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.69	1.11	-0.41
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.73	0.32	+0.40

Drawdowns

TECL vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TECL drawdown since its inception was -77.96%, smaller than the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TECL and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	TECL	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-77.96%	-84.96%	+7.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-46.58%	-14.93%	-31.65%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-66.58%	-35.74%	-30.84%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-77.96%	-45.30%	-32.66%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-77.96%	-45.30%	-32.66%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-25.87%	-10.69%	-15.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.38%	-41.08%	+22.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	16.27%	3.94%	+12.33%

Volatility

TECL vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily Technology Bull 3X Shares (TECL) has a higher volatility of 31.75% compared to VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) at 14.88%. This indicates that TECL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SMH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TECL	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	31.75%	14.88%	+16.87%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	55.01%	26.35%	+28.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	65.56%	32.03%	+33.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	74.60%	35.24%	+39.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	72.63%	32.70%	+39.93%

TECL vs. SMH - Expense Ratio Comparison

TECL has a 0.91% expense ratio, which is higher than SMH's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

TECL vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

TECL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.12%, more than SMH's 0.19% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	0.19%	0.31%	0.44%	0.60%	1.18%	0.51%	0.69%	1.50%	1.88%	1.43%	0.80%	2.14%
TECL Direxion Daily Technology Bull 3X Shares	4.12%	7.19%	0.29%	0.28%	0.22%	0.32%	0.52%	0.25%	0.47%	0.10%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TECL and SMH in my portfolio?

TECL and SMH have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TECL or SMH?

TECL has higher volatility (31.75%) compared to SMH (14.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TECL dropped -77.96% vs SMH's -84.96%.

Which ETF is better, TECL or SMH?

On 10-year performance, TECL leads with 50.09% vs 36.02% for SMH. On fees, SMH is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, SMH has been the lower-risk option at 14.88%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TECL or SMH?

Over the 10-year period, TECL has performed better with a 50.09% return vs 36.02%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TECL or SMH?

SMH is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.91% for TECL.

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

TECL has the higher dividend yield at 4.12%, compared with 0.19% for SMH.

What is the main difference between TECL and SMH?

TECL is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while SMH is Semiconductors. TECL tracks Technology Select Sector Index (300%), while SMH tracks MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. They also come from different issuers: Direxion and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.91% for TECL and 0.35% for SMH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.00 vs 2.80), 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.