XEMD vs. SMH

Last updated Jul 12, 2026

XEMD (BondBloxx JP Morgan USD Emerging Markets 1-10 Year Bond ETF) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XEMD is a Emerging Markets Bonds fund tracking the JP Morgan EMBI Global Diversified Liquid 1-10 Y Maturity Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while SMH is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, XEMD returned 10.88%/yr vs 59.96%/yr for SMH. At a 0.41 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. XEMD charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SMH.

Performance

XEMD vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BondBloxx JP Morgan USD Emerging Markets 1-10 Year Bond ETF (XEMD) 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, XEMD achieves a 3.09% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 69.67% return.

XEMD

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: -0.07%
• 6M: 2.43%
• YTD: 3.09%
• 1Y: 10.58%
• 3Y*: 10.88%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SMH

• 1D: 0.54%
• 1M: 0.26%
• 6M: 56.99%
• YTD: 69.67%
• 1Y: 113.20%
• 3Y*: 59.96%
• 5Y*: 37.42%
• 10Y*: 36.59%

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

XEMD vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
XEMD BondBloxx JP Morgan USD Emerging Markets 1-10 Year Bond ETF	3.09%	13.98%	8.77%	10.26%	2.40%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	69.67%	49.17%	39.10%	73.38%	-0.52%

Correlation

The correlation between XEMD and SMH is 0.41, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.41
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.39
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 30, 2022	0.41

Return for Risk

XEMD vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

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

XEMD

XEMD Risk / Return Rank: 83
XEMD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
XEMD Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
XEMD Omega Ratio Rank: 87
XEMD Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
XEMD Martin Ratio Rank: 83

SMH

SMH Risk / Return Rank: 94
SMH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
SMH Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
SMH Omega Ratio Rank: 91
SMH Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
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.

XEMD vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BondBloxx JP Morgan USD Emerging Markets 1-10 Year Bond ETF (XEMD) 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.

	XEMD	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.17	3.13	-0.96
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.27	3.35	-0.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.47	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.90	7.62	-4.72
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.99	25.13	-12.15

XEMD vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XEMD Sharpe Ratio is 2.17, which is lower than the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 3.13. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XEMD 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

XEMD vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XEMD drawdown since its inception was -10.01%, smaller than the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XEMD and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	XEMD	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.01%	-84.96%	+74.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.52%	-14.93%	+11.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.31%	-35.74%	+31.43%
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	-0.38%	-8.65%	+8.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.24%	-40.95%	+39.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.79%	4.52%	-3.73%

Volatility

XEMD vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for BondBloxx JP Morgan USD Emerging Markets 1-10 Year Bond ETF (XEMD) is 1.26%, while VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has a volatility of 18.27%. This indicates that XEMD 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

	XEMD	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.26%	18.27%	-17.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.77%	31.01%	-27.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.71%	36.41%	-31.70%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.84%	36.12%	-29.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.84%	33.10%	-26.26%

XEMD vs. SMH - Expense Ratio Comparison

XEMD has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is lower than SMH's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

XEMD vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

XEMD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.78%, more than SMH's 0.18% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
XEMD BondBloxx JP Morgan USD Emerging Markets 1-10 Year Bond ETF	5.78%	6.15%	6.30%	6.19%	3.08%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XEMD and SMH in my portfolio?

XEMD and SMH have a correlation of 0.41, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XEMD or SMH?

SMH has higher volatility (18.27%) compared to XEMD (1.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XEMD dropped -10.01% vs SMH's -84.96%.

Which ETF is better, XEMD or SMH?

On 3-year performance, SMH leads with 59.96% vs 10.88% for XEMD. On fees, XEMD is cheaper at 0.29% per year. On volatility, XEMD has been the lower-risk option at 1.26%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XEMD or SMH?

Over the 3-year period, SMH has performed better with a 59.96% return vs 10.88%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XEMD or SMH?

XEMD is cheaper with a 0.29% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for SMH.

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

XEMD has the higher dividend yield at 5.78%, compared with 0.18% for SMH.

What is the main difference between XEMD and SMH?

XEMD is categorized as Emerging Markets Bonds, while SMH is Semiconductors. XEMD tracks JP Morgan EMBI Global Diversified Liquid 1-10 Y Maturity Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while SMH tracks MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. They also come from different issuers: BondBloxx and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.29% for XEMD and 0.35% for SMH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.13 vs 2.17), 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.