WUGI vs. SMH

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

WUGI (Esoterica NextG Economy ETF) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - WUGI is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by Esoterica, while SMH is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. WUGI is actively managed, while SMH is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, WUGI returned 14.39%/yr vs 36.02%/yr for SMH. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. WUGI charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMH.

Performance

WUGI vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Esoterica NextG Economy ETF (WUGI) and VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, WUGI achieves a 19.24% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 62.61% return.

WUGI

• 1D: -4.06%
• 1M: -3.33%
• 6M: 16.10%
• YTD: 19.24%
• 1Y: 30.91%
• 3Y*: 30.99%
• 5Y*: 14.39%
• 10Y*: —

SMH

• 1D: -4.16%
• 1M: -5.54%
• 6M: 49.91%
• YTD: 62.61%
• 1Y: 104.33%
• 3Y*: 55.82%
• 5Y*: 36.02%
• 10Y*: 35.93%

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

WUGI vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
WUGI Esoterica NextG Economy ETF	19.24%	22.66%	47.14%	61.30%	-49.55%	25.18%	97.36%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	62.61%	49.17%	39.10%	73.38%	-33.53%	42.13%	84.05%

Correlation

The correlation between WUGI and SMH is 0.87, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 31, 2020	0.87

The correlation between WUGI and SMH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

WUGI vs. SMH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	WUGI	SMH
Technology	68.8%	100.0%
Communication Services	7.3%	-
Industrials	6.8%	-
Financial Services	5.0%	-
Consumer Cyclical	4.8%	-
Utilities	3.8%	-
Healthcare	2.6%	-
Consumer Defensive	0.1%	-
Real Estate	0.1%	-
Basic Materials	0.0%	-
Energy	0.0%	-

Return for Risk

WUGI vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

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

WUGI

WUGI Risk / Return Rank: 39
WUGI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
WUGI Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
WUGI Omega Ratio Rank: 38
WUGI Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
WUGI Martin Ratio Rank: 42

SMH

SMH Risk / Return Rank: 92
SMH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
SMH Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
SMH Omega Ratio Rank: 88
SMH Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
SMH Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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.

WUGI vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Esoterica NextG Economy ETF (WUGI) 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.

	WUGI	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.08	2.86	-1.78
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.56	3.14	-1.58
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.43	-0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.73	7.03	-5.30
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.39	22.83	-17.43

WUGI vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WUGI Sharpe Ratio is 1.08, which is lower than the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 2.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WUGI 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.

Drawdowns

WUGI vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WUGI drawdown since its inception was -56.41%, smaller than the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WUGI and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	WUGI	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.41%	-84.96%	+28.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.99%	-14.93%	-3.06%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.49%	-35.74%	+8.25%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-56.41%	-45.30%	-11.11%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-45.30%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.30%	-12.45%	+2.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.46%	-40.94%	+24.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.75%	4.59%	+1.16%

Volatility

WUGI vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Esoterica NextG Economy ETF (WUGI) is 15.21%, while VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has a volatility of 18.45%. This indicates that WUGI 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.

Volatility by Period

	WUGI	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	15.21%	18.45%	-3.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	25.59%	31.29%	-5.70%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.68%	36.76%	-8.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	31.62%	36.19%	-4.57%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.40%	33.14%	-1.74%

WUGI vs. SMH - Expense Ratio Comparison

WUGI has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than SMH's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

WUGI vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

WUGI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 19.15%, more than SMH's 0.19% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	0.19%	0.31%	0.44%	0.60%	1.18%	0.51%	0.69%	1.50%	1.88%	1.43%	0.80%	2.14%
WUGI Esoterica NextG Economy ETF	19.15%	22.83%	4.09%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WUGI and SMH in my portfolio?

WUGI and SMH have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, WUGI or SMH?

SMH has higher volatility (18.45%) compared to WUGI (15.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WUGI dropped -56.41% vs SMH's -84.96%.

Which ETF is better, WUGI or SMH?

On 5-year performance, SMH leads with 36.02% vs 14.39% for WUGI. On fees, SMH is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, WUGI has been the lower-risk option at 15.21%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, WUGI or SMH?

Over the 5-year period, SMH has performed better with a 36.02% return vs 14.39%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, WUGI or SMH?

SMH is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for WUGI.

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

WUGI has the higher dividend yield at 19.15%, compared with 0.19% for SMH.

What is the main difference between WUGI and SMH?

WUGI is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while SMH is Semiconductors. They also come from different issuers: Esoterica and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for WUGI and 0.35% for SMH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.86 vs 1.08), 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.