URAN vs. SMH

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

URAN (Themes Uranium & Nuclear ETF) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - URAN is a Commodity Producers Equities fund tracking the BITA Global Uranium and Nuclear Select Index, while SMH is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, URAN returned 38.53% vs 160.66% for SMH. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.35% expense ratio.

Performance

URAN vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Themes Uranium & Nuclear ETF (URAN) 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, URAN achieves a 9.51% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 75.55% return.

URAN

• 1D: 4.55%
• 1M: -2.01%
• YTD: 9.51%
• 6M: 8.35%
• 1Y: 38.53%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SMH

• 1D: 4.01%
• 1M: 24.01%
• YTD: 75.55%
• 6M: 76.44%
• 1Y: 160.66%
• 3Y*: 63.68%
• 5Y*: 39.58%
• 10Y*: 37.55%

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

URAN vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
URAN Themes Uranium & Nuclear ETF	9.51%	49.05%	4.09%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	75.55%	49.17%	-0.06%

Correlation

The correlation between URAN and SMH is 0.51, 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	0.51
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 25, 2024	0.52

The correlation between URAN and SMH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.51 to 0.52 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

URAN vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

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

URAN

URAN Risk / Return Rank: 27
URAN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
URAN Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
URAN Omega Ratio Rank: 27
URAN Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
URAN Martin Ratio Rank: 23

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: 97

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.

URAN vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Themes Uranium & Nuclear ETF (URAN) 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.

	URAN	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.99	5.29	-4.31
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.54	5.29	-3.75
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.73	-0.55
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.48	11.02	-9.53
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	2.97	42.34	-39.37
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

URAN vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current URAN Sharpe Ratio is 0.99, which is lower than the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 5.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of URAN 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

	URAN	SMH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.99	5.29	-4.31
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.14	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	1.16	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.95	0.34	+0.62

Drawdowns

URAN vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum URAN drawdown since its inception was -31.96%, smaller than the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for URAN and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	URAN	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.96%	-84.96%	+53.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-25.31%	-14.93%	-10.38%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-35.74%	—
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	-16.87%	0.00%	-16.87%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.73%	-41.09%	+30.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.65%	3.89%	+8.76%

Volatility

URAN vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

Themes Uranium & Nuclear ETF (URAN) and VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) have volatilities of 11.65% and 11.59%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	URAN	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.65%	11.59%	+0.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	29.14%	24.29%	+4.85%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	39.26%	30.57%	+8.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	39.04%	35.02%	+4.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	39.04%	32.58%	+6.46%

URAN vs. SMH - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both URAN and SMH have an expense ratio of 0.35%.

Dividends

URAN vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

URAN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.34%, 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%
URAN Themes Uranium & Nuclear ETF	2.34%	2.56%	0.21%	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 URAN and SMH in my portfolio?

URAN and SMH have a correlation of 0.51, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, URAN or SMH?

URAN has higher volatility (11.65%) compared to SMH (11.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, URAN dropped -31.96% vs SMH's -84.96%.

Which ETF is better, URAN or SMH?

On 1-year performance, SMH leads with 160.66% vs 38.53% for URAN. Both ETFs have the same 0.35% expense ratio. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, URAN or SMH?

Over the 1-year period, SMH has performed better with a 160.66% return vs 38.53%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, URAN or SMH?

URAN and SMH have the same expense ratio: 0.35% per year.

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

URAN has the higher dividend yield at 2.34%, compared with 0.17% for SMH.

What is the main difference between URAN and SMH?

URAN is categorized as Commodity Producers Equities, while SMH is Semiconductors. URAN tracks BITA Global Uranium and Nuclear Select Index, while SMH tracks MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. They also come from different issuers: Themes and VanEck.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.29 vs 0.99), 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.