VWRA.L vs. SMHX

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

VWRA.L (Vanguard FTSE All-World UCITS ETF USD Accumulating) and SMHX (VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VWRA.L is a Global Equities fund tracking the FTSE All-World Index, while SMHX is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MarketVector™ US Listed Fabless Semiconductor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, VWRA.L returned 25.71% vs 113.40% for SMHX. A 0.51 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VWRA.L charges 0.22%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMHX.

Performance

VWRA.L vs. SMHX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE All-World UCITS ETF USD Accumulating (VWRA.L) and VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF (SMHX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VWRA.L achieves a 10.21% return, which is significantly lower than SMHX's 64.76% return.

VWRA.L

• 1D: 2.32%
• 1M: 0.88%
• YTD: 10.21%
• 6M: 11.90%
• 1Y: 25.71%
• 3Y*: 19.80%
• 5Y*: 10.91%
• 10Y*: —

SMHX

• 1D: 1.76%
• 1M: 10.26%
• YTD: 64.76%
• 6M: 64.72%
• 1Y: 113.40%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VWRA.L vs. SMHX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
VWRA.L Vanguard FTSE All-World UCITS ETF USD Accumulating	10.21%	22.45%	2.31%
SMHX VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF	64.76%	30.00%	15.56%

Correlation

The correlation between VWRA.L and SMHX is 0.56, 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	0.56
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 28, 2024	0.51

The correlation between VWRA.L and SMHX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.51 to 0.56 - a consistent structural relationship.

VWRA.L vs. SMHX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VWRA.L	SMHX
Technology	31.1%	100.0%
Financial Services	16.0%	-
Industrials	9.8%	-
Communication Services	9.1%	-
Consumer Cyclical	9.1%	-
Healthcare	8.2%	-
Consumer Defensive	4.8%	-
Energy	4.3%	-
Basic Materials	3.3%	-
Utilities	2.7%	-
Real Estate	1.4%	-

Return for Risk

VWRA.L vs. SMHX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VWRA.L

VWRA.L Risk / Return Rank: 73
VWRA.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
VWRA.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
VWRA.L Omega Ratio Rank: 73
VWRA.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
VWRA.L Martin Ratio Rank: 73

SMHX

SMHX Risk / Return Rank: 91
SMHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
SMHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
SMHX Omega Ratio Rank: 87
SMHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
SMHX Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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.

VWRA.L vs. SMHX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE All-World UCITS ETF USD Accumulating (VWRA.L) and VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF (SMHX). 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.

	VWRA.L	SMHX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.01	3.21	-1.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.00	3.47	-0.47
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.47	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.91	6.69	-3.77
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.88	18.13	-6.25

VWRA.L vs. SMHX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VWRA.L Sharpe Ratio is 2.01, which is lower than the SMHX Sharpe Ratio of 3.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VWRA.L and SMHX, 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

VWRA.L vs. SMHX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VWRA.L drawdown since its inception was -33.62%, smaller than the maximum SMHX drawdown of -38.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VWRA.L and SMHX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VWRA.L	SMHX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.62%	-38.53%	+4.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.78%	-17.06%	+8.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.26%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.06%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.98%	-7.66%	+5.68%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.36%	-7.37%	+2.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.16%	6.28%	-4.12%

Volatility

VWRA.L vs. SMHX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard FTSE All-World UCITS ETF USD Accumulating (VWRA.L) is 4.38%, while VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF (SMHX) has a volatility of 18.32%. This indicates that VWRA.L experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SMHX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VWRA.L	SMHX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.38%	18.32%	-13.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.27%	29.00%	-18.73%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.74%	35.54%	-22.80%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.39%	41.05%	-25.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.25%	41.05%	-23.80%

VWRA.L vs. SMHX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VWRA.L has a 0.22% expense ratio, which is lower than SMHX's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

VWRA.L vs. SMHX - Dividend Comparison

VWRA.L has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SMHX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.01%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
SMHX VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF	0.01%	0.02%	0.04%
VWRA.L Vanguard FTSE All-World UCITS ETF USD Accumulating	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VWRA.L and SMHX in my portfolio?

VWRA.L and SMHX have a correlation of 0.56, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, VWRA.L or SMHX?

On fees, VWRA.L is cheaper at 0.22% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, VWRA.L or SMHX?

VWRA.L is cheaper with a 0.22% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for SMHX.

What is the main difference between VWRA.L and SMHX?

VWRA.L is categorized as Global Equities, while SMHX is Semiconductors. VWRA.L tracks FTSE All-World Index, while SMHX tracks MarketVector™ US Listed Fabless Semiconductor Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.22% for VWRA.L and 0.35% for SMHX.