WFH vs. SMH

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

WFH (Direxion Work From Home ETF) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - WFH is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Solactive Remote Work Index, while SMH is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. Both are passively managed. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. WFH charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMH.

Performance

WFH vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Work From Home ETF (WFH) and VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

WFH

• 1D: —
• 1M: —
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SMH

• 1D: 0.90%
• 1M: 25.87%
• YTD: 77.13%
• 6M: 75.61%
• 1Y: 157.20%
• 3Y*: 64.17%
• 5Y*: 39.21%
• 10Y*: 37.68%

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

WFH vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
WFH Direxion Work From Home ETF	0.00%	15.47%	18.55%	35.75%	-45.26%	10.77%	34.26%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	77.13%	49.17%	39.10%	73.38%	-33.53%	42.13%	46.15%

Correlation

The correlation between WFH and SMH is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.26
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.57
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2020	0.68

Over the past year, the correlation between WFH and SMH has dropped to 0.26 - well below their long-term average of 0.68, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

WFH vs. SMH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	WFH	SMH
Technology	86.2%	100.0%
Communication Services	9.4%	-
Consumer Cyclical	2.3%	-
Industrials	2.2%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

WFH vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

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

SMH

SMH Risk / Return Rank: 96
SMH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
SMH Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
SMH Omega Ratio Rank: 95
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.

WFH vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Work From Home ETF (WFH) 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	WFH	SMH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	5.19	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.13	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	1.16	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	—	0.34	—

Drawdowns

Drawdown Indicators

	WFH	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	—	-84.96%	—
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-14.93%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-35.74%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-45.30%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-45.30%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	—	0.00%	—
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	—	-41.09%	—
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	3.89%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	WFH	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	11.47%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	24.29%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	30.56%	—
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	—	35.01%	—
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	—	32.57%	—

WFH vs. SMH - Expense Ratio Comparison

WFH has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than SMH's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

WFH vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

WFH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.91%, more than SMH's 0.17% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	0.17%	0.31%	0.44%	0.60%	1.18%	0.51%	0.69%	1.50%	1.88%	1.43%	0.80%	2.14%
WFH Direxion Work From Home ETF	0.91%	0.94%	0.50%	0.67%	0.42%	0.79%	0.86%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WFH and SMH in my portfolio?

WFH and SMH have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, WFH or SMH?

On fees, SMH is cheaper at 0.35% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, WFH or SMH?

SMH is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for WFH.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, WFH or SMH?

WFH has the higher dividend yield at 0.91%, compared with 0.17% for SMH.

What is the main difference between WFH and SMH?

WFH is categorized as Technology Equities, while SMH is Semiconductors. WFH tracks Solactive Remote Work Index, while SMH tracks MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. They also come from different issuers: Direxion and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for WFH and 0.35% for SMH.