What five years of weekly data say
- SMH returned +34.1% a year and SOXX +28.6% a year over the past five years, dividends reinvested.
- SMH was the calmer ride: 33% annual volatility, against 35%.
- Near twins (correlation 0.99). They rise and fall in lockstep, so holding both adds almost no diversification.
- SOXX costs less to hold: 0.33% a year against 0.35%, or $2.00 less per $10,000 each year.
The numbers side by side
| Metric | SMSMH | SOSOXX |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $573.00 | $533.07 |
| Fund size | $67.79B | $41.81B |
| 1-year return | +82.1% | +101.2% (ahead) |
| 3-year return, a year | +59.9% (ahead) | +51.9% |
| 5-year return, a year | +34.1% (ahead) | +28.6% |
| Volatility, a year | 33% (ahead) | 35% |
| Worst drawdown | −44% | −44% |
| Worst week | −14.8% (ahead)Mar 2025 | −16.5%Mar 2025 |
| Beta | 2.06 | 2.33 |
| Dividend yield | 0.20% | 0.29% |
| Expense ratio | 0.35% | 0.33% (ahead) |
Do SMH and SOXX move together?
Correlation compares SMH’s and SOXX’s weekly returns from Sep 2021 to Sep 2026. Two holdings near +1 fall on the same weeks, so owning both doesn’t cushion anything. Your portfolio has more than two lines, and Portfolio Terminal runs this check across every pair you hold.
How far each one fell
SMH
−44%
From its Nov 2021 high to Oct 2022. Back at that high by Jul 2023.
SOXX
−44%
From its Dec 2021 high to Oct 2022. Back at that high by Dec 2023.
Worst peak-to-trough fall on weekly closes · dividends reinvested
How much of it is the same money
SMH vs SOXX: what people ask
Is SMH better than SOXX?
Over the past five years, SMH delivered the higher return: +34.1% a year against +28.6% for SOXX, dividends reinvested. Both fell about as far at their worst (−44% and −44%). Which is better depends on the job it does in your portfolio, and past returns don’t predict future ones.
What is the difference between SMH and SOXX?
SMH is VanEck Semiconductor ETF, a fund with $67.79B in assets. SOXX is iShares Semiconductor ETF, a fund with $41.81B in assets. SMH charges 0.35% a year and SOXX 0.33%. Counting only each fund’s ten largest positions, 40% of their money sits in the same companies.
Should I own both SMH and SOXX?
Their weekly returns had a correlation of 0.99 over the past five years. They rise and fall in lockstep, so holding both adds almost no diversification. Whether that suits you depends on everything else you hold, which is the check Portfolio Terminal runs across a whole portfolio.
Which is riskier, SMH or SOXX?
SOXX swung more: 35% annual volatility against 33% for SMH. At their worst, SMH fell 44% and SOXX 44% from a previous high. Against the broad market, their betas are 2.06 and 2.33.
Which pays a higher dividend, SMH or SOXX?
SOXX currently yields 0.29%, against 0.20% for SMH. Yields move with price, so a higher yield can also mean a falling price.
Which is cheaper to hold, SMH or SOXX?
SOXX charges 0.33% a year and SMH 0.35%. On $10,000, that is $2.00 a year in favor of SOXX.
Returns use weekly closes adjusted for dividends and splits, from Sep 2021 to Sep 2026. Quotes, fees and holdings come from public market data and refresh hourly. This page describes what happened; it is not investment advice, and past performance doesn’t predict future returns.