the gap between themSMH ahead by $8,983
SMH solid · SOXX dashed · weekly closes, dividends reinvested
SMH wins 2 of 4. Which matters depends on what you need it for.
- Grew more over five yearsSMH +374% · SOXX +284%
SMH
- Fell less at its worstSMH −44% · SOXX −44%tie
- Calmer rideSMH 33% vol · SOXX 35% vol
- Cheaper to holdSMH 0.35% a year · SOXX 0.33% a year
SOXX
near twins · correlation 0.99
Side by side, line by line
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | $603.33 | $559.40 |
| Fund size | $74.88B | $48.43B |
| 1-year return | +86.0% | +106.3% (ahead) |
| 3-year return, a year | +60.3% (ahead) | +53.0% |
| 5-year return, a year | +36.5% (ahead) | +30.9% |
| Volatility, a year | 33% (ahead) | 35% |
| Worst drawdown | −44% | −44% |
| Worst week | −14.8% (ahead)Mar 2025 | −16.5%Mar 2025 |
| Beta | 2.00 | 2.28 |
| Dividend yield | 0.18% | 0.22% |
| Expense ratio | 0.35% | 0.33% (ahead) |
Do SMH and SOXX move together?
Correlation compares SMH’s and SOXX’s weekly returns from Oct 2021 to Oct 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
- same money
- same companies, extra weight
- only in this fund
SMH vs SOXX: what people ask
Is SMH better than SOXX?
Over the past five years, SMH delivered the higher return: +36.5% a year against +30.9% 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 $74.88B in assets. SOXX is iShares Semiconductor ETF, a fund with $48.43B in assets. SMH charges 0.35% a year and SOXX 0.33%.
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 2.00 and 2.28.
Which pays a higher dividend, SMH or SOXX?
SOXX currently yields 0.22%, against 0.18% 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. Left for 30 years at 7% a year before fees, $10,000 would end $414 higher in SOXX.
Compare something else
Any two stocks or ETFs. Keep SMH or swap both.
Returns use weekly closes adjusted for dividends and splits, from Oct 2021 to Oct 2026. Quotes, fees and holdings come from public market data and refresh daily. This page describes what happened; it is not investment advice, and past performance doesn’t predict future returns.