WUGI vs. SMH
WUGI (AXS 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 AXS, 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 13.00%/yr vs 33.46%/yr for SMH. Their correlation of 0.88 means they have usually moved in the same direction. WUGI charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMH.
Performance
WUGI vs. SMH - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, WUGI achieves a 11.32% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 50.09% return.
WUGI
- 1D
- 1.22%
- 1M
- -8.74%
- 6M
- 11.63%
- YTD
- 11.32%
- 1Y
- 19.71%
- 3Y*
- 27.43%
- 5Y*
- 13.00%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 24.67%
SMH
- 1D
- 0.30%
- 1M
- -8.74%
- 6M
- 33.97%
- YTD
- 50.09%
- 1Y
- 90.95%
- 3Y*
- 50.56%
- 5Y*
- 33.46%
- 10Y*
- 34.16%
- ALL TIME*
- 11.06%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $8.28B | $7.64B | $7.07B | |
| $90.74K | $89.96K | $186.08K |
WUGI vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
WUGI AXS Esoterica NextG Economy ETF | 11.32% | 22.66% | 47.14% | 61.30% | -49.55% | 25.18% | 97.36% |
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF | 50.09% | 49.17% | 39.10% | 73.38% | -33.53% | 42.13% | 84.05% |
Correlation
The correlation between WUGI and SMH is 0.89, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.89 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.89 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.89 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 31, 2020 | 0.88 |
The correlation between WUGI and SMH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.
WUGI vs. SMH - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
WUGI
SMH
Technology
Industrials
-
Communication Services
-
Consumer Cyclical
-
Utilities
-
Financial Services
-
Healthcare
-
Consumer Defensive
-
Real Estate
-
Basic Materials
-
Energy
-
Technology
WUGI
SMH
Industrials
WUGI
SMH
-
Communication Services
WUGI
SMH
-
Consumer Cyclical
WUGI
SMH
-
Utilities
WUGI
SMH
-
Financial Services
WUGI
SMH
-
Healthcare
WUGI
SMH
-
Consumer Defensive
WUGI
SMH
-
Real Estate
WUGI
SMH
-
Basic Materials
WUGI
SMH
-
Energy
WUGI
SMH
-
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Return for Risk
WUGI vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank
WUGI
SMH
WUGI vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AXS 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 ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.76 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.76 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.12 | 1.36 | -0.24 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.72 | 3.58 | -2.86 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.47 | 14.64 | -12.17 |
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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.
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Drawdown Indicators
| WUGI | SMH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -56.41% | -84.96% | +28.55% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -23.11% | -24.62% | +1.51% |
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 DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -16.26% | -19.19% | +2.93% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -16.45% | -40.89% | +24.44% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 6.75% | 6.01% | +0.74% |
Volatility
WUGI vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison
AXS Esoterica NextG Economy ETF (WUGI) and VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) have volatilities of 14.96% and 14.70%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| WUGI | SMH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 14.96% | 14.70% | +0.26% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 28.14% | 33.13% | -4.99% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 31.28% | 38.57% | -7.29% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 32.02% | 36.50% | -4.48% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 31.67% | 33.32% | -1.65% |
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 20.51%, more than SMH's 0.20% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF | 0.20% | 0.31% | 0.44% | 0.60% | 1.18% | 0.51% | 0.69% | 1.50% | 1.88% | 1.43% | 0.80% | 2.14% |
WUGI AXS Esoterica NextG Economy ETF | 20.51% | 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
WUGI and SMH have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
WUGI has higher volatility (14.96%) compared to SMH (14.70%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WUGI dropped -56.41% vs SMH's -84.96%.
On 5-year performance, SMH leads with 33.46% vs 13.00% for WUGI. On fees, SMH is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, SMH has been the lower-risk option at 14.70%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, SMH has performed better with a 33.46% return vs 13.00%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SMH is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for WUGI.
WUGI has the higher dividend yield at 20.51%, compared with 0.20% for SMH.
WUGI is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while SMH is Semiconductors. They also come from different issuers: AXS and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for WUGI and 0.35% for SMH.
SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.29 vs 0.53), 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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