XTL vs. SMH
Compare and contrast key facts about SPDR S&P Telecom ETF (XTL) and VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH).
XTL and SMH are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. XTL is a passively managed fund by State Street that tracks the performance of the S&P Telecom Select Industry Index. It was launched on Jan 26, 2011. SMH is a passively managed fund by VanEck that tracks the performance of the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. It was launched on Dec 20, 2011. Both XTL and SMH are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.
Performance
XTL vs. SMH - Performance Comparison
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XTL vs. SMH - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
XTL SPDR S&P Telecom ETF | 24.90% | 44.95% | 34.89% | -1.17% | -19.18% | 21.58% | 22.46% | 12.51% | -6.60% | 0.56% |
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF | 8.84% | 49.17% | 39.10% | 73.38% | -33.53% | 42.13% | 55.53% | 64.45% | -9.05% | 38.48% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, XTL achieves a 24.90% return, which is significantly higher than SMH's 8.84% return. Over the past 10 years, XTL has underperformed SMH with an annualized return of 14.13%, while SMH has yielded a comparatively higher 31.58% annualized return.
XTL
- 1D
- 1.40%
- 1M
- -0.57%
- YTD
- 24.90%
- 6M
- 34.72%
- 1Y
- 93.29%
- 3Y*
- 34.33%
- 5Y*
- 16.17%
- 10Y*
- 14.13%
SMH
- 1D
- 2.24%
- 1M
- -3.55%
- YTD
- 8.84%
- 6M
- 17.83%
- 1Y
- 85.04%
- 3Y*
- 44.53%
- 5Y*
- 26.15%
- 10Y*
- 31.58%
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XTL vs. SMH - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both XTL and SMH have an expense ratio of 0.35%.
Return for Risk
XTL vs. SMH — Risk / Return Rank
XTL
SMH
XTL vs. SMH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Telecom ETF (XTL) 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.
| XTL | SMH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 3.05 | 2.32 | +0.74 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 3.53 | 2.92 | +0.60 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.48 | 1.41 | +0.07 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 6.35 | 5.39 | +0.96 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 23.14 | 19.22 | +3.92 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| XTL | SMH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.05 | 2.32 | +0.74 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.66 | 0.76 | -0.10 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.61 | 0.98 | -0.37 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.47 | 0.28 | +0.18 |
Correlation
The correlation between XTL and SMH is 0.63, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.
Dividends
XTL vs. SMH - Dividend Comparison
XTL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.04%, more than SMH's 0.28% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
XTL SPDR S&P Telecom ETF | 1.04% | 1.05% | 0.62% | 0.80% | 0.74% | 1.25% | 0.88% | 0.92% | 1.90% | 2.08% | 1.11% | 1.38% |
SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF | 0.28% | 0.31% | 0.44% | 0.60% | 1.18% | 0.51% | 0.69% | 1.50% | 1.88% | 1.43% | 0.80% | 2.14% |
Drawdowns
XTL vs. SMH - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum XTL drawdown since its inception was -37.01%, smaller than the maximum SMH drawdown of -84.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XTL and SMH.
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Drawdown Indicators
| XTL | SMH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -37.01% | -84.96% | +47.95% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.70% | -15.95% | +1.25% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -37.01% | -45.30% | +8.29% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -37.01% | -45.30% | +8.29% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.38% | -8.02% | +4.64% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.86% | -41.35% | +31.49% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.03% | 4.47% | -0.44% |
Volatility
XTL vs. SMH - Volatility Comparison
SPDR S&P Telecom ETF (XTL) and VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) have volatilities of 11.88% and 11.74%, 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
| XTL | SMH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 11.88% | 11.74% | +0.14% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 23.49% | 24.02% | -0.53% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 30.73% | 36.88% | -6.15% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 24.68% | 34.68% | -10.00% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 23.25% | 32.29% | -9.04% |