XHB vs. SMH

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

XHB (SPDR S&P Homebuilders ETF) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XHB is a Building & Construction fund tracking the S&P Homebuilders Select Industry Index, while SMH is a Semiconductors fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XHB returned 13.79%/yr vs 38.85%/yr for SMH. A 0.56 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.35% expense ratio.

Performance

XHB vs. SMH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P Homebuilders ETF (XHB) 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, XHB achieves a 6.31% return, which is significantly lower than SMH's 85.74% return. Over the past 10 years, XHB has underperformed SMH with an annualized return of 13.79%, while SMH has yielded a comparatively higher 38.85% annualized return.

XHB

• 1D: -1.58%
• 1M: 9.28%
• YTD: 6.31%
• 6M: 4.68%
• 1Y: 15.99%
• 3Y*: 13.19%
• 5Y*: 9.70%
• 10Y*: 13.79%

SMH

• 1D: 1.37%
• 1M: 16.07%
• YTD: 85.74%
• 6M: 85.96%
• 1Y: 157.81%
• 3Y*: 66.26%
• 5Y*: 40.65%
• 10Y*: 38.85%

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

XHB vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XHB SPDR S&P Homebuilders ETF	6.31%	-0.69%	9.87%	60.10%	-28.93%	49.70%	27.97%	41.30%	-25.73%	31.80%
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF	85.74%	49.17%	39.10%	73.38%	-33.53%	42.13%	55.53%	64.45%	-9.05%	38.48%

Correlation

The correlation between XHB and SMH is 0.34, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.34
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.43
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 6, 2006	0.56

Over the past year, the correlation between XHB and SMH has dropped to 0.34 - well below their long-term average of 0.56, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

XHB vs. SMH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XHB	SMH
Consumer Cyclical	60.5%	-
Industrials	38.4%	-
Real Estate	1.1%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Technology	-	100.0%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

XHB vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank

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

XHB

XHB Risk / Return Rank: 18
XHB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
XHB Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
XHB Omega Ratio Rank: 17
XHB Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
XHB Martin Ratio Rank: 15

SMH

SMH Risk / Return Rank: 96
SMH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
SMH Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
SMH Omega Ratio Rank: 94
SMH Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
SMH Martin Ratio Rank: 97

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.

XHB vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Homebuilders ETF (XHB) 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.

	XHB	SMH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.57	4.66	-4.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.09	4.60	-3.52
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.66	-0.54
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.74	10.63	-9.89
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.51	38.91	-37.39

XHB vs. SMH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XHB Sharpe Ratio is 0.57, which is lower than the SMH Sharpe Ratio of 4.66. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XHB 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

XHB vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XHB drawdown since its inception was -81.61%, roughly equal to the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XHB and SMH.

Drawdown Indicators

	XHB	SMH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-81.61%	-84.96%	+3.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.71%	-14.93%	-6.78%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-30.53%	-35.74%	+5.21%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-39.46%	-45.30%	+5.84%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-49.57%	-45.30%	-4.27%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-11.97%	0.00%	-11.97%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-27.57%	-41.01%	+13.44%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.60%	4.07%	+6.53%

Volatility

XHB vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR S&P Homebuilders ETF (XHB) is 8.50%, while VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has a volatility of 17.29%. This indicates that XHB 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

	XHB	SMH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.50%	17.29%	-8.79%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.06%	28.18%	-7.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.44%	34.14%	-5.70%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.84%	35.68%	-7.84%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.52%	32.95%	-5.43%

XHB vs. SMH - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both XHB and SMH have an expense ratio of 0.35%.

Dividends

XHB vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison

XHB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.73%, 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%
XHB SPDR S&P Homebuilders ETF	0.73%	0.78%	0.59%	0.77%	1.06%	0.51%	0.73%	0.89%	1.25%	0.72%	0.67%	0.50%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XHB and SMH in my portfolio?

XHB and SMH have a correlation of 0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XHB or SMH?

SMH has higher volatility (17.29%) compared to XHB (8.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XHB dropped -81.61% vs SMH's -84.96%.

Which ETF is better, XHB or SMH?

On 10-year performance, SMH leads with 38.85% vs 13.79% for XHB. Both ETFs have the same 0.35% expense ratio. On volatility, XHB has been the lower-risk option at 8.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XHB or SMH?

Over the 10-year period, SMH has performed better with a 38.85% return vs 13.79%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XHB or SMH?

XHB and SMH have the same expense ratio: 0.35% per year.

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

XHB has the higher dividend yield at 0.73%, compared with 0.17% for SMH.

What is the main difference between XHB and SMH?

XHB is categorized as Building & Construction, while SMH is Semiconductors. XHB tracks S&P Homebuilders Select Industry Index, while SMH tracks MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and VanEck.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.66 vs 0.57), 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.