VKTX vs. SMH

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

VKTX (Viking Therapeutics, 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, VKTX returned 39.58%/yr vs 37.85%/yr for SMH. At a 0.29 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

VKTX vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (VKTX) 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, VKTX achieves a -1.05% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 72.73% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VKTX having a 39.58% annualized return and SMH not far behind at 37.85%.

VKTX

• 1D: 7.54%
• 1M: 12.69%
• YTD: -1.05%
• 6M: -4.39%
• 1Y: 40.02%
• 3Y*: 19.50%
• 5Y*: 40.40%
• 10Y*: 39.58%

SMH

• 1D: -7.01%
• 1M: 7.93%
• YTD: 72.73%
• 6M: 71.29%
• 1Y: 138.23%
• 3Y*: 62.28%
• 5Y*: 38.18%
• 10Y*: 37.85%

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

VKTX vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VKTX Viking Therapeutics, Inc.	-1.05%	-12.57%	116.23%	97.98%	104.35%	-18.29%	-29.80%	4.84%	88.42%	241.18%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	72.73%	49.17%	39.10%	73.38%	-33.53%	42.13%	55.53%	64.45%	-9.05%	38.48%

Correlation

The correlation between VKTX and SMH is 0.30, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.30
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.29
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.31
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.31
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 29, 2015	0.29

Return for Risk

VKTX vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

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

VKTX

VKTX Risk / Return Rank: 61
VKTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
VKTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
VKTX Omega Ratio Rank: 65
VKTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
VKTX Martin Ratio Rank: 60

SMH

SMH Risk / Return Rank: 94
SMH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
SMH Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
SMH Omega Ratio Rank: 92
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.

VKTX vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (VKTX) 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.

	VKTX	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.54	3.99	-3.44
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.16	4.05	-2.89
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.58	-0.40
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.89	9.31	-8.42
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.73	33.88	-32.14

VKTX vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VKTX Sharpe Ratio is 0.54, which is lower than the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 3.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VKTX 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

VKTX vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VKTX drawdown since its inception was -90.41%, which is greater than SMH's maximum drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VKTX and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	VKTX	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-90.41%	-84.96%	-5.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-45.14%	-14.93%	-30.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-78.86%	-35.74%	-43.12%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-78.86%	-45.30%	-33.56%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-89.26%	-45.30%	-43.96%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-63.16%	-7.01%	-56.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-60.03%	-41.01%	-19.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	23.17%	4.10%	+19.07%

Volatility

VKTX vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (VKTX) is 16.01%, while VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has a volatility of 19.08%. This indicates that VKTX 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

	VKTX	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	16.01%	19.08%	-3.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	41.89%	29.18%	+12.71%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	74.05%	34.87%	+39.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	101.69%	35.83%	+65.86%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	97.07%	32.97%	+64.10%

Dividends

VKTX vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

VKTX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SMH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.18%.

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%
VKTX Viking Therapeutics, Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	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 VKTX and SMH in my portfolio?

VKTX and SMH have a correlation of 0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VKTX or SMH?

SMH has higher volatility (19.08%) compared to VKTX (16.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VKTX dropped -90.41% vs SMH's -84.96%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.99 vs 0.54), 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.