THNQ vs. SMH

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

THNQ (ROBO Global Artificial Intelligence ETF) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - THNQ is a Artificial Intelligence fund tracking the ROBO Global Artificial Intelligence Index, while SMH is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, THNQ returned 14.49%/yr vs 33.46%/yr for SMH. Their 0.80 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. THNQ charges 0.68%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMH.

Performance

THNQ vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ROBO Global Artificial Intelligence ETF (THNQ) 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, THNQ achieves a 33.15% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 50.09% return.

THNQ

• 1D: 1.65%
• 1M: -4.13%
• 6M: 31.35%
• YTD: 33.15%
• 1Y: 55.63%
• 3Y*: 30.82%
• 5Y*: 14.49%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 21.75%

SMH

• 1D: 0.30%
• 1M: -8.74%
• 6M: 33.97%
• YTD: 50.09%
• 1Y: 90.95%
• 3Y*: 50.56%
• 5Y*: 33.46%
• 10Y*: 34.16%
• ALL TIME*: 11.06%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	$8.28B	$7.64B	$7.07B
THNQ ROBO Global Artificial Intelligence ETF	$1.82M	$1.71M	$2.47M

THNQ vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
THNQ ROBO Global Artificial Intelligence ETF	33.15%	29.83%	18.82%	56.81%	-39.84%	9.10%	60.92%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	50.09%	49.17%	39.10%	73.38%	-33.53%	42.13%	60.95%

Correlation

The correlation between THNQ and SMH is 0.79, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.80
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 11, 2020	0.80

The correlation between THNQ and SMH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

THNQ vs. SMH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	THNQ	SMH
Technology	78.5%	100.0%
Consumer Cyclical	11.1%	-
Communication Services	4.3%	-
Healthcare	3.8%	-
Industrials	1.3%	-
Real Estate	1.3%	-
Financial Services	0.9%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

THNQ vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

THNQ

THNQ Risk / Return Rank: 71
THNQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
THNQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
THNQ Omega Ratio Rank: 66
THNQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
THNQ Martin Ratio Rank: 66

SMH

SMH Risk / Return Rank: 87
SMH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
SMH Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
SMH Omega Ratio Rank: 84
SMH Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
SMH Martin Ratio Rank: 91

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

THNQ vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ROBO Global Artificial Intelligence ETF (THNQ) 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	THNQ	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.70	2.29	-0.59
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.26	2.70	-0.43
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.36	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.78	3.58	-0.80
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.92	14.64	-6.72

THNQ vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current THNQ Sharpe Ratio is 1.70, which is comparable to the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 2.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of THNQ 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.

Drawdowns

THNQ vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum THNQ drawdown since its inception was -50.56%, smaller than the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for THNQ and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	THNQ	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.56%	-84.96%	+34.40%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.39%	-24.62%	+6.23%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.88%	-35.74%	+5.86%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-50.56%	-45.30%	-5.26%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-45.30%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.60%	-19.19%	+9.59%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.88%	-40.89%	+26.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.45%	6.01%	+0.44%

Volatility

THNQ vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ROBO Global Artificial Intelligence ETF (THNQ) is 9.75%, while VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has a volatility of 14.70%. This indicates that THNQ 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

	THNQ	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.75%	14.70%	-4.95%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	24.75%	33.13%	-8.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	30.08%	38.57%	-8.49%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.80%	36.50%	-6.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.97%	33.32%	-4.35%

THNQ vs. SMH - Expense Ratio Comparison

THNQ has a 0.68% expense ratio, which is higher than SMH's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

THNQ vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

THNQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.15%, less than SMH's 0.20% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	0.20%	0.31%	0.44%	0.60%	1.18%	0.51%	0.69%	1.50%	1.88%	1.43%	0.80%	2.14%
THNQ ROBO Global Artificial Intelligence ETF	0.15%	0.20%	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 THNQ and SMH in my portfolio?

THNQ 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, THNQ or SMH?

SMH has higher volatility (14.70%) compared to THNQ (9.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, THNQ dropped -50.56% vs SMH's -84.96%.

Which ETF is better, THNQ or SMH?

On 5-year performance, SMH leads with 33.46% vs 14.49% for THNQ. On fees, SMH is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, THNQ has been the lower-risk option at 9.75%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, THNQ or SMH?

Over the 5-year period, SMH has performed better with a 33.46% return vs 14.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, THNQ or SMH?

SMH is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.68% for THNQ.

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

SMH has the higher dividend yield at 0.20%, compared with 0.15% for THNQ.

What is the main difference between THNQ and SMH?

THNQ is categorized as Artificial Intelligence, while SMH is Semiconductors. THNQ tracks ROBO Global Artificial Intelligence Index, while SMH tracks MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. They also come from different issuers: Exchange Traded Concepts and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.68% for THNQ and 0.35% for SMH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.29 vs 1.70), 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.