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VYMI vs. SMH
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VYMI vs. SMH

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

VYMI (Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VYMI is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE All-World ex US High Dividend Yield Index, while SMH is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VYMI returned 11.21%/yr vs 37.85%/yr for SMH. A 0.57 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VYMI charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMH.

Performance

VYMI vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI) and VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VYMI achieves a 11.38% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 72.73% return. Over the past 10 years, VYMI has underperformed SMH with an annualized return of 11.21%, while SMH has yielded a comparatively higher 37.85% annualized return.

VYMI

1D
-1.23%
1M
-0.28%
YTD
11.38%
6M
11.17%
1Y
30.40%
3Y*
21.85%
5Y*
12.40%
10Y*
11.21%

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)

VYMI vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VYMI
Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF		11.38%38.05%7.06%17.07%-7.02%15.39%-1.11%18.43%-12.65%22.36%
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 VYMI and SMH is 0.48, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.48

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.46

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.53

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.57

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 2, 2016

0.57

The correlation between VYMI and SMH shifts across timeframes, from 0.46 (3 years) to 0.57 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VYMI vs. SMH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
VYMI
SMH

Financial Services

40.7%

-

Energy

8.6%

-

Basic Materials

6.9%

-

Consumer Defensive

6.7%

-

Healthcare

6.5%

-

Consumer Cyclical

6.4%

-

Industrials

6.2%

-

Technology

5.2%
100.0%

Utilities

5.0%

-

Communication Services

3.7%

-

Real Estate

1.3%

-

Financial Services

VYMI
40.7%
SMH

-

Energy

VYMI
8.6%
SMH

-

Basic Materials

VYMI
6.9%
SMH

-

Consumer Defensive

VYMI
6.7%
SMH

-

Healthcare

VYMI
6.5%
SMH

-

Consumer Cyclical

VYMI
6.4%
SMH

-

Industrials

VYMI
6.2%
SMH

-

Technology

VYMI
5.2%
SMH
100.0%

Utilities

VYMI
5.0%
SMH

-

Communication Services

VYMI
3.7%
SMH

-

Real Estate

VYMI
1.3%
SMH

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF

VanEck Semiconductor ETF

Often compared with VYMI:
VYMI vs. VYMVYMI vs. SCHYVYMI vs. SCHDVYMI vs. VIGIVYMI vs. VOOVYMI vs. IDEVVYMI vs. VT
Often compared with SMH:
SMH vs. SOXXSMH vs. QQQSMH vs. VGTSMH vs. FSELXSMH vs. SPYSMH vs. SMHXSMH vs. XLK

Return for Risk

VYMI vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VYMI
VYMI Risk / Return Rank: 7070
Overall Rank
VYMI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7575
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VYMI Sortino Ratio Rank: 7373
Sortino Ratio Rank
VYMI Omega Ratio Rank: 7474
Omega Ratio Rank
VYMI Calmar Ratio Rank: 6363
Calmar Ratio Rank
VYMI Martin Ratio Rank: 6767
Martin Ratio Rank
SMH
SMH Risk / Return Rank: 9494
Overall Rank
SMH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9696
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SMH Sortino Ratio Rank: 9191
Sortino Ratio Rank
SMH Omega Ratio Rank: 9292
Omega Ratio Rank
SMH Calmar Ratio Rank: 9797
Calmar Ratio Rank
SMH Martin Ratio Rank: 9696
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

VYMI vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI) 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.

VYMISMHDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.30
3.99

-1.69

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.14
4.05

-0.91

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.42

1.58

-0.16

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.01

9.31

-6.30

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

11.81

33.88

-22.07

VYMI vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VYMI Sharpe Ratio is 2.30, which is lower than the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 3.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VYMI 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.

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Drawdowns

VYMI vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VYMI drawdown since its inception was -40.00%, smaller than the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VYMI and SMH.

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Drawdown Indicators

VYMISMHDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-40.00%

-84.96%

+44.96%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-10.14%

-14.93%

+4.79%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-12.84%

-35.74%

+22.90%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-24.05%

-45.30%

+21.25%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-40.00%

-45.30%

+5.30%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.97%

-7.01%

+5.04%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-6.28%

-41.01%

+34.73%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.58%

4.10%

-1.52%

Volatility

VYMI vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI) is 4.14%, while VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has a volatility of 19.08%. This indicates that VYMI 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.

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Volatility by Period

VYMISMHDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.14%

19.08%

-14.94%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

11.20%

29.18%

-17.98%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

13.27%

34.87%

-21.60%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

14.87%

35.83%

-20.96%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

16.61%

32.97%

-16.36%

VYMI vs. SMH - Expense Ratio Comparison

VYMI has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than SMH's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

VYMI vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

VYMI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.67%, more than SMH's 0.18% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
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%
VYMI
Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF		3.67%3.68%4.84%4.58%4.70%4.30%3.22%4.20%4.29%3.21%2.39%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

VYMI and SMH have a correlation of 0.48, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

SMH has higher volatility (19.08%) compared to VYMI (4.14%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VYMI dropped -40.00% vs SMH's -84.96%.

On 10-year performance, SMH leads with 37.85% vs 11.21% for VYMI. On fees, VYMI is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, VYMI has been the lower-risk option at 4.14%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, SMH has performed better with a 37.85% return vs 11.21%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

VYMI is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for SMH.

VYMI has the higher dividend yield at 3.67%, compared with 0.18% for SMH.

VYMI is categorized as Dividend, while SMH is Semiconductors. VYMI tracks FTSE All-World ex US High Dividend Yield Index, while SMH tracks MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for VYMI and 0.35% for SMH.

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.99 vs 2.30), 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.

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