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TRFK vs. SMH
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

TRFK vs. SMH

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

TRFK (Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - TRFK is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Pacer Data Transmission and Communication Revolution Index - Benchmark TR Net, while SMH is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, TRFK returned 52.66%/yr vs 63.96%/yr for SMH. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TRFK charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMH.

Performance

TRFK vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TRFK achieves a 64.96% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 74.25% return.

TRFK

1D
-2.93%
1M
24.68%
YTD
64.96%
6M
57.34%
1Y
97.75%
3Y*
52.66%
5Y*
—
10Y*
—

SMH

1D
-1.63%
1M
20.06%
YTD
74.25%
6M
74.08%
1Y
150.04%
3Y*
63.96%
5Y*
38.76%
10Y*
37.49%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

TRFK vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)2025202420232022
TRFK
Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF		64.96%26.81%38.30%66.63%-10.61%
SMH
VanEck Semiconductor ETF		74.25%49.17%39.10%73.38%-11.69%

Correlation

The correlation between TRFK and SMH is 0.82, 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

0.82

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.88

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 10, 2022

0.89

The correlation between TRFK and SMH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

TRFK vs. SMH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
TRFK
SMH

Technology

91.8%
100.0%

Industrials

8.3%

-

Basic Materials

-

-

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Energy

-

-

Financial Services

-

-

Healthcare

-

-

Real Estate

-

-

Utilities

-

-

Technology

TRFK
91.8%
SMH
100.0%

Industrials

TRFK
8.3%
SMH

-

Basic Materials

TRFK

-

SMH

-

Communication Services

TRFK

-

SMH

-

Consumer Cyclical

TRFK

-

SMH

-

Consumer Defensive

TRFK

-

SMH

-

Energy

TRFK

-

SMH

-

Financial Services

TRFK

-

SMH

-

Healthcare

TRFK

-

SMH

-

Real Estate

TRFK

-

SMH

-

Utilities

TRFK

-

SMH

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF

VanEck Semiconductor ETF

Often compared with TRFK:
TRFK vs. FDTXTRFK vs. DTCRTRFK vs. IDGTTRFK vs. FRATRFK vs. PRNTRFK vs. SPYGTRFK vs. VRGWX
Often compared with SMH:
SMH vs. SOXXSMH vs. QQQSMH vs. VGTSMH vs. FSELXSMH vs. SPYSMH vs. SMHXSMH vs. XLK

Return for Risk

TRFK vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
TRFK
TRFK Risk / Return Rank: 8585
Overall Rank
TRFK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9494
Sharpe Ratio Rank
TRFK Sortino Ratio Rank: 9090
Sortino Ratio Rank
TRFK Omega Ratio Rank: 8686
Omega Ratio Rank
TRFK Calmar Ratio Rank: 8888
Calmar Ratio Rank
TRFK Martin Ratio Rank: 6767
Martin Ratio Rank
SMH
SMH Risk / Return Rank: 9696
Overall Rank
SMH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9797
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SMH Sortino Ratio Rank: 9595
Sortino Ratio Rank
SMH Omega Ratio Rank: 9494
Omega Ratio Rank
SMH Calmar Ratio Rank: 9797
Calmar Ratio Rank
SMH Martin Ratio Rank: 9696
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

TRFK vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF (TRFK) 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.

TRFKSMHDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
3.53
4.94

-1.41

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
4.15
5.05

-0.90

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.52

1.69

-0.17

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

5.03

10.11

-5.08

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

12.06

38.76

-26.70

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TRFK vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TRFK Sharpe Ratio is 3.53, which is comparable to the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 4.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TRFK 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.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

TRFKSMHDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

3.53

4.94

-1.41

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

—

1.11

—

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

—

1.15

—

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

1.54

0.34

+1.20

Drawdowns

TRFK vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TRFK drawdown since its inception was -29.06%, smaller than the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TRFK and SMH.

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Drawdown Indicators

TRFKSMHDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-29.06%

-84.96%

+55.90%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-19.56%

-14.93%

-4.63%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-29.06%

-35.74%

+6.68%

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

-2.99%

-1.63%

-1.36%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-6.04%

-41.08%

+35.04%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

8.13%

3.89%

+4.24%

Volatility

TRFK vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF (TRFK) is 10.70%, while VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has a volatility of 11.58%. This indicates that TRFK 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.

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Volatility by Period

TRFKSMHDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

10.70%

11.58%

-0.88%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

21.98%

24.35%

-2.37%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

27.82%

30.57%

-2.75%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

28.94%

35.01%

-6.07%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

28.94%

32.57%

-3.63%

TRFK vs. SMH - Expense Ratio Comparison

TRFK has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than SMH's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

TRFK vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

TRFK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.01%, less than SMH's 0.18% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
SMH
VanEck Semiconductor ETF		0.18%0.31%0.44%0.60%1.18%0.51%0.69%1.50%1.88%1.43%0.80%2.14%
TRFK
Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF		0.01%0.01%0.40%0.20%0.56%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

TRFK and SMH have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

SMH has higher volatility (11.58%) compared to TRFK (10.70%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TRFK dropped -29.06% vs SMH's -84.96%.

On 3-year performance, SMH leads with 63.96% vs 52.66% for TRFK. On fees, SMH is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, TRFK has been the lower-risk option at 10.70%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 3-year period, SMH has performed better with a 63.96% return vs 52.66%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

SMH is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for TRFK.

SMH has the higher dividend yield at 0.18%, compared with 0.01% for TRFK.

TRFK is categorized as Technology Equities, while SMH is Semiconductors. TRFK tracks Pacer Data Transmission and Communication Revolution Index - Benchmark TR Net, while SMH tracks MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. They also come from different issuers: Pacer and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for TRFK and 0.35% for SMH.

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.94 vs 3.53), 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.

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