VIAV vs. SMH

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VIAV (Viavi Solutions Inc.) is a stock, while SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) is Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. Over the past 10 years, VIAV returned 22.52%/yr vs 37.68%/yr for SMH. A 0.55 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

VIAV vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Viavi Solutions Inc. (VIAV) 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, VIAV achieves a 194.16% return, which is significantly higher than SMH's 77.13% return. Over the past 10 years, VIAV has underperformed SMH with an annualized return of 22.52%, while SMH has yielded a comparatively higher 37.68% annualized return.

VIAV

• 1D: -0.87%
• 1M: -0.13%
• YTD: 194.16%
• 6M: 199.37%
• 1Y: 463.66%
• 3Y*: 73.77%
• 5Y*: 24.82%
• 10Y*: 22.52%

SMH

• 1D: 0.90%
• 1M: 25.87%
• YTD: 77.13%
• 6M: 75.61%
• 1Y: 157.20%
• 3Y*: 64.17%
• 5Y*: 39.21%
• 10Y*: 37.68%

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

VIAV vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VIAV Viavi Solutions Inc.	194.16%	76.44%	0.30%	-4.19%	-40.35%	17.66%	-0.17%	49.25%	14.99%	6.85%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	77.13%	49.17%	39.10%	73.38%	-33.53%	42.13%	55.53%	64.45%	-9.05%	38.48%

Correlation

The correlation between VIAV and SMH is 0.52, 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	0.52
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.48
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 5, 2015	0.55

The correlation between VIAV and SMH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.48 to 0.56 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VIAV vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

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

VIAV

VIAV Risk / Return Rank: 99
VIAV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
VIAV Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
VIAV Omega Ratio Rank: 98
VIAV Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
VIAV Martin Ratio Rank: 100

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: 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.

VIAV vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Viavi Solutions Inc. (VIAV) 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.

	VIAV	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	7.72	5.19	+2.53
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	6.29	5.22	+1.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.90	1.72	+0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	22.13	10.59	+11.53
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	84.46	40.63	+43.83
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VIAV vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VIAV Sharpe Ratio is 7.72, which is higher than the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 5.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VIAV 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

	VIAV	SMH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.72	5.19	+2.53
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59	1.13	-0.54
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.59	1.16	-0.57
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.57	0.34	+0.23

Drawdowns

VIAV vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VIAV drawdown since its inception was -62.88%, smaller than the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VIAV and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	VIAV	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.88%	-84.96%	+22.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.13%	-14.93%	-6.20%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-42.19%	-35.74%	-6.45%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-62.88%	-45.30%	-17.58%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-62.88%	-45.30%	-17.58%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.26%	0.00%	-5.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.93%	-41.09%	+21.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.53%	3.89%	+1.64%

Volatility

VIAV vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

Viavi Solutions Inc. (VIAV) has a higher volatility of 20.21% compared to VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) at 11.47%. This indicates that VIAV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SMH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VIAV	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	20.21%	11.47%	+8.74%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	51.87%	24.29%	+27.58%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	60.58%	30.56%	+30.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	42.45%	35.01%	+7.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	38.18%	32.57%	+5.61%

Dividends

VIAV vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

VIAV has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SMH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.17%.

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%
VIAV Viavi Solutions Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	77.01%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VIAV and SMH in my portfolio?

VIAV and SMH have a correlation of 0.52, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VIAV or SMH?

VIAV has higher volatility (20.21%) compared to SMH (11.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VIAV dropped -62.88% vs SMH's -84.96%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VIAV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (7.72 vs 5.19), 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.