VAPX.L vs. SMGB.L

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VAPX.L (Vanguard FTSE Developed Asia Pacific ex Japan UCITS ETF Distributing) and SMGB.L (VanEck Semiconductor UCITS ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VAPX.L is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the MSCI AC Asia Pac Ex JPN NR USD, while SMGB.L is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MSCI World/Information Tech NR USD. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VAPX.L returned 12.69%/yr vs 38.39%/yr for SMGB.L. A 0.60 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VAPX.L charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMGB.L.

Performance

VAPX.L vs. SMGB.L - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a £10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE Developed Asia Pacific ex Japan UCITS ETF Distributing (VAPX.L) and VanEck Semiconductor UCITS ETF (SMGB.L). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VAPX.L achieves a 48.85% return, which is significantly lower than SMGB.L's 85.49% return.

VAPX.L

• 1D: -3.09%
• 1M: 10.87%
• YTD: 48.85%
• 6M: 53.84%
• 1Y: 83.65%
• 3Y*: 24.61%
• 5Y*: 12.69%
• 10Y*: 12.84%

SMGB.L

• 1D: -2.49%
• 1M: 23.49%
• YTD: 85.49%
• 6M: 84.69%
• 1Y: 173.74%
• 3Y*: 57.16%
• 5Y*: 38.39%
• 10Y*: —

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

VAPX.L vs. SMGB.L - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
VAPX.L Vanguard FTSE Developed Asia Pacific ex Japan UCITS ETF Distributing	48.85%	30.80%	-3.74%	3.63%	-1.84%	1.30%	3.91%
SMGB.L VanEck Semiconductor UCITS ETF	85.49%	38.79%	26.31%	66.17%	-27.49%	44.41%	2.28%

Correlation

The correlation between VAPX.L and SMGB.L is 0.66, 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	0.66
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.60
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 4, 2020	0.60

The correlation between VAPX.L and SMGB.L has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.60 to 0.66 - a consistent structural relationship.

VAPX.L vs. SMGB.L - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VAPX.L	SMGB.L
Technology	30.2%	100.0%
Financial Services	25.3%	-
Industrials	12.5%	-
Basic Materials	9.5%	-
Consumer Cyclical	5.3%	-
Real Estate	4.9%	-
Healthcare	3.3%	-
Consumer Defensive	2.5%	-
Communication Services	2.4%	-
Energy	2.3%	-
Utilities	2.0%	-

Return for Risk

VAPX.L vs. SMGB.L — Risk / Return Rank

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

VAPX.L

VAPX.L Risk / Return Rank: 94
VAPX.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
VAPX.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
VAPX.L Omega Ratio Rank: 95
VAPX.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
VAPX.L Martin Ratio Rank: 92

SMGB.L

SMGB.L Risk / Return Rank: 97
SMGB.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
SMGB.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
SMGB.L Omega Ratio Rank: 95
SMGB.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
SMGB.L 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.

VAPX.L vs. SMGB.L - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Developed Asia Pacific ex Japan UCITS ETF Distributing (VAPX.L) and VanEck Semiconductor UCITS ETF (SMGB.L). 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.

	VAPX.L	SMGB.L	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	4.11	5.58	-1.47
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.98	5.70	-0.72
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.75	1.74	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.18	14.46	-8.29
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	23.27	50.72	-27.45
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VAPX.L vs. SMGB.L - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VAPX.L Sharpe Ratio is 4.11, which is comparable to the SMGB.L Sharpe Ratio of 5.58. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VAPX.L and SMGB.L, 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

	VAPX.L	SMGB.L	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.11	5.58	-1.47
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79	1.26	-0.47
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.74	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.54	1.25	-0.71

Drawdowns

VAPX.L vs. SMGB.L - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VAPX.L drawdown since its inception was -30.88%, smaller than the maximum SMGB.L drawdown of -36.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VAPX.L and SMGB.L.

Drawdown Indicators

	VAPX.L	SMGB.L	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.88%	-36.24%	+5.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.47%	-11.94%	-1.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.88%	-36.24%	+19.36%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.04%	-36.24%	+18.20%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-30.88%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.50%	-2.49%	-1.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.47%	-9.75%	+3.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.58%	3.41%	+0.17%

Volatility

VAPX.L vs. SMGB.L - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard FTSE Developed Asia Pacific ex Japan UCITS ETF Distributing (VAPX.L) is 10.22%, while VanEck Semiconductor UCITS ETF (SMGB.L) has a volatility of 12.41%. This indicates that VAPX.L experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SMGB.L based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VAPX.L	SMGB.L	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.22%	12.41%	-2.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.90%	23.93%	-6.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.27%	30.96%	-10.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.00%	30.45%	-14.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.39%	30.19%	-12.80%

VAPX.L vs. SMGB.L - Expense Ratio Comparison

VAPX.L has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than SMGB.L's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

VAPX.L vs. SMGB.L - Dividend Comparison

VAPX.L's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.54%, while SMGB.L has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SMGB.L VanEck Semiconductor UCITS ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.44%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VAPX.L Vanguard FTSE Developed Asia Pacific ex Japan UCITS ETF Distributing	1.54%	2.36%	3.20%	3.30%	4.12%	2.99%	1.81%	3.28%	3.55%	3.07%	2.71%	3.45%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VAPX.L and SMGB.L in my portfolio?

VAPX.L and SMGB.L have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, VAPX.L or SMGB.L?

On fees, VAPX.L is cheaper at 0.15% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, VAPX.L or SMGB.L?

VAPX.L is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for SMGB.L.

What is the main difference between VAPX.L and SMGB.L?

VAPX.L is categorized as Asia Pacific Equities, while SMGB.L is Semiconductors. VAPX.L tracks MSCI AC Asia Pac Ex JPN NR USD, while SMGB.L tracks MSCI World/Information Tech NR USD. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for VAPX.L and 0.35% for SMGB.L.