TSM vs. SMH

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

TSM (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited) is a stock, while SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) is Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. Over the past 10 years, TSM returned 35.80%/yr vs 37.49%/yr for SMH. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

TSM vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSM) 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, TSM achieves a 40.22% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 72.15% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with TSM having a 35.80% annualized return and SMH not far ahead at 37.49%.

TSM

• 1D: 0.68%
• 1M: 6.28%
• YTD: 40.22%
• 6M: 45.91%
• 1Y: 98.93%
• 3Y*: 60.80%
• 5Y*: 31.30%
• 10Y*: 35.80%

SMH

• 1D: 1.72%
• 1M: 8.30%
• YTD: 72.15%
• 6M: 75.62%
• 1Y: 136.32%
• 3Y*: 60.05%
• 5Y*: 38.42%
• 10Y*: 37.49%

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

TSM vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TSM Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited	40.22%	55.91%	92.58%	42.33%	-36.75%	12.09%	92.67%	64.85%	-3.50%	41.46%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	72.15%	49.17%	39.10%	73.38%	-33.53%	42.13%	55.53%	64.45%	-9.05%	38.48%

Correlation

The correlation between TSM and SMH is 0.75, 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	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.80
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 5, 2000	0.71

The correlation between TSM and SMH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TSM vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

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

TSM

TSM Risk / Return Rank: 93
TSM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
TSM Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
TSM Omega Ratio Rank: 90
TSM Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
TSM Martin Ratio Rank: 96

SMH

SMH Risk / Return Rank: 96
SMH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
SMH Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
SMH Omega Ratio Rank: 94
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.

TSM vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSM) 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.

	TSM	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.71	4.13	-1.42
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.30	4.26	-0.96
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.60	-0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.48	9.18	-3.70
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.42	33.74	-14.31

TSM vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TSM Sharpe Ratio is 2.71, which is lower than the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 4.13. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TSM 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

TSM vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TSM drawdown since its inception was -89.08%, roughly equal to the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TSM and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	TSM	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-89.08%	-84.96%	-4.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.14%	-14.93%	-3.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-36.82%	-35.74%	-1.08%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-56.47%	-45.30%	-11.17%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-56.47%	-45.30%	-11.17%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.87%	-2.81%	-2.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-42.85%	-41.04%	-1.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.11%	4.06%	+1.05%

Volatility

TSM vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSM) is 13.42%, while VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has a volatility of 16.25%. This indicates that TSM 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

	TSM	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.42%	16.25%	-2.83%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	28.65%	27.73%	+0.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	36.69%	33.20%	+3.49%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	37.46%	35.47%	+1.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	34.23%	32.82%	+1.41%

Dividends

TSM vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

TSM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.83%, more than SMH's 0.18% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
TSM Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited	0.83%	1.00%	1.18%	1.78%	2.49%	1.57%	1.56%	3.46%	3.64%	2.32%	2.61%	2.54%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TSM and SMH in my portfolio?

TSM and SMH have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TSM or SMH?

SMH has higher volatility (16.25%) compared to TSM (13.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TSM dropped -89.08% vs SMH's -84.96%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.13 vs 2.71), 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.