VOO vs. HNSS.L

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) and HNSS.L (HSBC Nasdaq Global Semiconductor UCITS ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VOO is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while HNSS.L is a Semiconductors fund tracking the Nasdaq Global Semiconductor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, VOO returned 20.95%/yr vs 57.21%/yr for HNSS.L. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VOO charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for HNSS.L.

Performance

VOO vs. HNSS.L - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) and HSBC Nasdaq Global Semiconductor UCITS ETF (HNSS.L). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Different Trading Currencies

VOO is traded in USD, while HNSS.L is traded in GBP. To make them comparable, the HNSS.L values have been converted to USD using the latest available exchange rates.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VOO achieves a 9.08% return, which is significantly lower than HNSS.L's 83.82% return.

VOO

• 1D: 0.55%
• 1M: -0.84%
• YTD: 9.08%
• 6M: 9.44%
• 1Y: 25.76%
• 3Y*: 20.95%
• 5Y*: 13.43%
• 10Y*: 15.50%

HNSS.L

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 5.13%
• YTD: 83.82%
• 6M: 88.94%
• 1Y: 170.38%
• 3Y*: 57.21%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VOO vs. HNSS.L - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	9.08%	17.82%	24.98%	26.32%	-11.66%
HNSS.L HSBC Nasdaq Global Semiconductor UCITS ETF	83.82%	56.48%	17.97%	39.90%	-33.45%

Correlation

The correlation between VOO and HNSS.L is 0.58, 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	0.58
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.54
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 25, 2022	0.63

The correlation between VOO and HNSS.L has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.54 to 0.63 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VOO vs. HNSS.L — Risk / Return Rank

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

VOO

VOO Risk / Return Rank: 70
VOO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
VOO Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
VOO Omega Ratio Rank: 71
VOO Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
VOO Martin Ratio Rank: 76

HNSS.L

HNSS.L Risk / Return Rank: 91
HNSS.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
HNSS.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
HNSS.L Omega Ratio Rank: 95
HNSS.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
HNSS.L Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

VOO vs. HNSS.L - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) and HSBC Nasdaq Global Semiconductor UCITS ETF (HNSS.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.

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.

	VOO	HNSS.L	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.99	3.03	-1.04
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.70	3.63	-0.94
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.61	-0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.75	5.37	-2.62
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.42	14.49	-2.07

VOO vs. HNSS.L - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VOO Sharpe Ratio is 1.99, which is lower than the HNSS.L Sharpe Ratio of 3.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VOO and HNSS.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.

Drawdowns

VOO vs. HNSS.L - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VOO drawdown since its inception was -33.99%, smaller than the maximum HNSS.L drawdown of -51.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VOO and HNSS.L.

Drawdown Indicators

	VOO	HNSS.L	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.99%	-51.82%	+17.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.90%	-30.87%	+21.97%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.69%	-37.48%	+18.79%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.52%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.99%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.34%	-6.42%	+4.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.68%	-19.16%	+15.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.97%	11.43%	-9.46%

Volatility

VOO vs. HNSS.L - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is 4.34%, while HSBC Nasdaq Global Semiconductor UCITS ETF (HNSS.L) has a volatility of 14.15%. This indicates that VOO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than HNSS.L based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VOO	HNSS.L	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.34%	14.15%	-9.81%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.58%	27.54%	-17.96%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.27%	54.65%	-42.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.88%	40.49%	-23.61%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.03%	40.49%	-22.46%

VOO vs. HNSS.L - Expense Ratio Comparison

VOO has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than HNSS.L's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

VOO vs. HNSS.L - Dividend Comparison

VOO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.05%, while HNSS.L has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HNSS.L HSBC Nasdaq Global Semiconductor UCITS ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	1.05%	1.13%	1.24%	1.46%	1.69%	1.25%	1.54%	1.88%	2.06%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VOO and HNSS.L in my portfolio?

VOO and HNSS.L have a correlation of 0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, VOO or HNSS.L?

On fees, VOO is cheaper at 0.03% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, VOO or HNSS.L?

VOO is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for HNSS.L.

What is the main difference between VOO and HNSS.L?

VOO is categorized as S&P 500, while HNSS.L is Semiconductors. VOO tracks S&P 500 Index, while HNSS.L tracks Nasdaq Global Semiconductor Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and HSBC. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VOO and 0.35% for HNSS.L.