VIGAX vs. SMH

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VIGAX (Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both funds - VIGAX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index, while SMH is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VIGAX returned 17.79%/yr vs 36.92%/yr for SMH. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VIGAX charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMH.

Performance

VIGAX vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VIGAX) 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, VIGAX achieves a 5.74% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 66.10% return. Over the past 10 years, VIGAX has underperformed SMH with an annualized return of 17.79%, while SMH has yielded a comparatively higher 36.92% annualized return.

VIGAX

• 1D: -3.64%
• 1M: -1.13%
• YTD: 5.74%
• 6M: 4.74%
• 1Y: 22.61%
• 3Y*: 24.45%
• 5Y*: 14.30%
• 10Y*: 17.79%

SMH

• 1D: 5.00%
• 1M: 5.58%
• YTD: 66.10%
• 6M: 62.81%
• 1Y: 137.42%
• 3Y*: 60.43%
• 5Y*: 37.89%
• 10Y*: 36.92%

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

VIGAX vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VIGAX Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares	5.74%	19.43%	32.67%	46.76%	-33.14%	27.26%	40.18%	37.23%	-3.35%	27.80%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	66.10%	49.17%	39.10%	73.38%	-33.53%	42.13%	55.53%	64.45%	-9.05%	38.48%

Correlation

The correlation between VIGAX and SMH is 0.74, 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	0.74
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 13, 2000	0.78

The correlation between VIGAX and SMH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

VIGAX vs. SMH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VIGAX	SMH
Technology	53.5%	100.0%
Communication Services	17.3%	-
Consumer Cyclical	12.2%	-
Healthcare	4.6%	-
Financial Services	4.3%	-
Industrials	3.6%	-
Consumer Defensive	1.5%	-
Real Estate	1.0%	-
Utilities	0.9%	-
Basic Materials	0.6%	-
Energy	0.4%	-

Return for Risk

VIGAX vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

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

VIGAX

VIGAX Risk / Return Rank: 24
VIGAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
VIGAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
VIGAX Omega Ratio Rank: 27
VIGAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
VIGAX Martin Ratio Rank: 22

SMH

SMH Risk / Return Rank: 96
SMH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
SMH Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
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.

VIGAX vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VIGAX) 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.

	VIGAX	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.47	4.27	-2.80
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.00	4.33	-2.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.62	-0.36
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.45	9.26	-7.80
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.10	34.80	-29.70
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VIGAX vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VIGAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.47, which is lower than the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 4.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VIGAX 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

	VIGAX	SMH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.47	4.27	-2.80
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.64	1.08	-0.44
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.83	1.13	-0.31
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.47	0.33	+0.14

Drawdowns

VIGAX vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VIGAX drawdown since its inception was -50.66%, smaller than the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VIGAX and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	VIGAX	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.66%	-84.96%	+34.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.51%	-14.93%	-1.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.04%	-35.74%	+12.70%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.63%	-45.30%	+9.67%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.63%	-45.30%	+9.67%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.86%	-6.23%	+1.37%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.95%	-41.07%	+29.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.70%	3.96%	+0.74%

Volatility

VIGAX vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VIGAX) is 5.21%, while VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has a volatility of 15.45%. This indicates that VIGAX 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

	VIGAX	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.21%	15.45%	-10.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.73%	26.71%	-13.98%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.35%	32.42%	-16.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.40%	35.32%	-12.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.61%	32.75%	-11.14%

VIGAX vs. SMH - Expense Ratio Comparison

VIGAX has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than SMH's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

VIGAX vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

VIGAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.38%, 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%
VIGAX Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.38%	0.40%	0.46%	0.57%	0.69%	0.47%	0.66%	0.94%	1.31%	1.14%	1.39%	1.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VIGAX and SMH in my portfolio?

VIGAX and SMH have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VIGAX or SMH?

SMH has higher volatility (15.45%) compared to VIGAX (5.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VIGAX dropped -50.66% vs SMH's -84.96%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.27 vs 1.47), 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.