VUAG.L vs. SMGB.L

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

VUAG.L (Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF (USD) Accumulating) and SMGB.L (VanEck Semiconductor UCITS ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VUAG.L is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while SMGB.L is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MarketVector US Listed Semiconductor 10% Capped Screened Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VUAG.L returned 14.39%/yr vs 38.58%/yr for SMGB.L. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VUAG.L charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMGB.L.

Performance

VUAG.L vs. SMGB.L - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a £10,000 investment in Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF (USD) Accumulating (VUAG.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, VUAG.L achieves a 8.79% return, which is significantly lower than SMGB.L's 87.48% return.

VUAG.L

• 1D: 1.48%
• 1M: -0.32%
• YTD: 8.79%
• 6M: 9.16%
• 1Y: 26.56%
• 3Y*: 18.26%
• 5Y*: 14.39%
• 10Y*: —

SMGB.L

• 1D: 5.59%
• 1M: 11.03%
• YTD: 87.48%
• 6M: 89.61%
• 1Y: 168.08%
• 3Y*: 55.48%
• 5Y*: 38.58%
• 10Y*: —

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

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

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
VUAG.L Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF (USD) Accumulating	8.79%	9.36%	27.34%	19.65%	-8.87%	30.97%	-1.00%
SMGB.L VanEck Semiconductor UCITS ETF	87.48%	38.79%	26.32%	66.15%	-27.78%	44.41%	-0.72%

Correlation

The correlation between VUAG.L and SMGB.L is 0.68, 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	0.68
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.71
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 10, 2020	0.71

The correlation between VUAG.L and SMGB.L has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.68 to 0.72 - a consistent structural relationship.

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

Sectors	VUAG.L	SMGB.L
Technology	35.7%	100.0%
Financial Services	11.6%	-
Communication Services	11.3%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.2%	-
Healthcare	8.5%	-
Industrials	8.3%	-
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	-
Energy	3.5%	-
Utilities	2.4%	-
Real Estate	1.9%	-
Basic Materials	1.8%	-

Return for Risk

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

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

VUAG.L

VUAG.L Risk / Return Rank: 82
VUAG.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
VUAG.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
VUAG.L Omega Ratio Rank: 85
VUAG.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
VUAG.L Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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: 98

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.

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

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF (USD) Accumulating (VUAG.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.

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.

	VUAG.L	SMGB.L	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.39	5.07	-2.68
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.22	5.23	-2.00
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.68	-0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.66	13.71	-10.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.20	45.80	-32.60

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

The current VUAG.L Sharpe Ratio is 2.39, which is lower than the SMGB.L Sharpe Ratio of 5.07. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VUAG.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.

Drawdowns

VUAG.L vs. SMGB.L - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VUAG.L drawdown since its inception was -30.82%, smaller than the maximum SMGB.L drawdown of -36.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VUAG.L and SMGB.L.

Drawdown Indicators

	VUAG.L	SMGB.L	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.82%	-36.23%	+5.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.11%	-11.94%	+4.83%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.88%	-36.23%	+15.35%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.88%	-36.23%	+15.35%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.82%	-1.44%	-0.38%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.47%	-9.83%	+4.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.98%	3.58%	-1.60%

Volatility

VUAG.L vs. SMGB.L - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF (USD) Accumulating (VUAG.L) is 3.57%, while VanEck Semiconductor UCITS ETF (SMGB.L) has a volatility of 13.95%. This indicates that VUAG.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

	VUAG.L	SMGB.L	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.57%	13.95%	-10.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.56%	25.73%	-18.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.90%	32.29%	-21.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.36%	30.70%	-16.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.88%	30.40%	-12.52%

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

VUAG.L has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than SMGB.L's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

VUAG.L vs. SMGB.L - Dividend Comparison

Neither VUAG.L nor SMGB.L has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
SMGB.L VanEck Semiconductor UCITS ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VUAG.L Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF (USD) Accumulating	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	1.80%

Frequently Asked Questions

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

VUAG.L and SMGB.L have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

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

On fees, VUAG.L is cheaper at 0.07% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

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

VUAG.L is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for SMGB.L.

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

VUAG.L is categorized as S&P 500, while SMGB.L is Semiconductors. VUAG.L tracks S&P 500 Index, while SMGB.L tracks MarketVector US Listed Semiconductor 10% Capped Screened Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for VUAG.L and 0.35% for SMGB.L.