XSD vs. SMHX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XSD (SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF) and SMHX (VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF) are both Semiconductors funds - XSD tracks the S&P Semiconductor Select Industry while SMHX tracks the MarketVector™ US Listed Fabless Semiconductor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, XSD returned 180.25% vs 139.42% for SMHX. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.35% expense ratio.

Performance

XSD vs. SMHX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD) and VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF (SMHX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XSD achieves a 102.14% return, which is significantly higher than SMHX's 78.44% return.

XSD

• 1D: 1.51%
• 1M: 30.91%
• YTD: 102.14%
• 6M: 92.84%
• 1Y: 180.25%
• 3Y*: 46.41%
• 5Y*: 29.69%
• 10Y*: 31.10%

SMHX

• 1D: 0.94%
• 1M: 33.64%
• YTD: 78.44%
• 6M: 72.62%
• 1Y: 139.42%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

XSD vs. SMHX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
XSD SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF	102.14%	29.85%	6.70%
SMHX VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF	78.44%	30.00%	17.76%

Correlation

The correlation between XSD and SMHX is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 29, 2024	0.90

The correlation between XSD and SMHX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

XSD vs. SMHX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XSD	SMHX
Technology	97.8%	100.0%
Energy	2.2%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

XSD vs. SMHX — Risk / Return Rank

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

XSD

XSD Risk / Return Rank: 95
XSD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
XSD Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
XSD Omega Ratio Rank: 93
XSD Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
XSD Martin Ratio Rank: 96

SMHX

SMHX Risk / Return Rank: 93
SMHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
SMHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
SMHX Omega Ratio Rank: 90
SMHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
SMHX Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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.

XSD vs. SMHX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD) and VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF (SMHX). 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.

	XSD	SMHX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	5.00	4.30	+0.71
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.03	4.50	+0.53
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.65	1.59	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	9.75	8.22	+1.53
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	33.91	23.13	+10.78
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XSD vs. SMHX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XSD Sharpe Ratio is 5.00, which is comparable to the SMHX Sharpe Ratio of 4.30. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XSD and SMHX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	XSD	SMHX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.00	4.30	+0.71
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	1.94	-1.51

Drawdowns

XSD vs. SMHX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XSD drawdown since its inception was -64.56%, which is greater than SMHX's maximum drawdown of -38.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XSD and SMHX.

Drawdown Indicators

	XSD	SMHX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.56%	-38.53%	-26.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.61%	-17.06%	-1.55%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-41.25%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-42.27%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.27%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.74%	-7.33%	-6.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.34%	6.05%	-0.71%

Volatility

XSD vs. SMHX - Volatility Comparison

SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD) has a higher volatility of 14.94% compared to VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF (SMHX) at 11.81%. This indicates that XSD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SMHX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XSD	SMHX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.94%	11.81%	+3.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	27.89%	25.06%	+2.83%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	36.39%	32.69%	+3.70%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	38.25%	39.97%	-1.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	34.96%	39.97%	-5.01%

XSD vs. SMHX - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both XSD and SMHX have an expense ratio of 0.35%.

Dividends

XSD vs. SMHX - Dividend Comparison

XSD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.12%, more than SMHX's 0.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SMHX VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF	0.01%	0.02%	0.04%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XSD SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF	0.12%	0.26%	0.20%	0.31%	0.44%	0.10%	0.26%	0.51%	1.16%	0.59%	0.64%	0.58%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XSD and SMHX in my portfolio?

XSD and SMHX have a correlation of 0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XSD or SMHX?

XSD has higher volatility (14.94%) compared to SMHX (11.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XSD dropped -64.56% vs SMHX's -38.53%.

Which ETF is better, XSD or SMHX?

On 1-year performance, XSD leads with 180.25% vs 139.42% for SMHX. Both ETFs have the same 0.35% expense ratio. On volatility, SMHX has been the lower-risk option at 11.81%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XSD or SMHX?

Over the 1-year period, XSD has performed better with a 180.25% return vs 139.42%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XSD or SMHX?

XSD and SMHX have the same expense ratio: 0.35% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XSD or SMHX?

XSD has the higher dividend yield at 0.12%, compared with 0.01% for SMHX.

What is the main difference between XSD and SMHX?

XSD tracks S&P Semiconductor Select Industry, while SMHX tracks MarketVector™ US Listed Fabless Semiconductor Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and VanEck.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XSD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.00 vs 4.30), 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.