SMH vs VXUS
VanEck Semiconductor ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, SMH or VXUS?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. SMH led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | SMH | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.35% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $60.9B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.22% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 26 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +51.89%Best | +16.15% |
| 1Y Return | +96.22%Best | +27.58% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +54.30%Best | +20.48% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +33.85%Best | +9.09% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 25.6% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -45.3% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $42,963Best | $15,450 |
| Fund Family | VanEck | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 20, 2011 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Sep 4, 2026 (15.6 years).
SMH vs VXUS growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
SMH vs VXUS Performance
VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) is an ETF from VanEck and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SMH returned +96.22% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, SMH is up 51.89% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, SMH compounded at +54.30% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +33.85% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, SMH has the edge at +27.02% annualized vs +4.93%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SMH has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 25.6% compared with 15.0% for VXUS. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -45.3% for SMH and -39.9% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SMH charges 0.35% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $35 vs $5 annually, a gap of $30 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SMH currently yields 0.22% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.0% of SMH's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.7% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
SMH and VXUS share little of their money.
1 positions in common, counted across the 25 positions we hold weights for in SMH and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 26 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SMH | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| STM:ASStmicroelectronics N.v. | 1.02% | 0.01% | 1.01% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SMH and VXUS you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, SMH or VXUS?
SMH has an expense ratio of 0.35% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $30 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SMH or VXUS?
Over the past year SMH returned +96.22% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so SMH leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), SMH annualized +27.02% vs +4.93% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SMH or VXUS?
SMH has been the more volatile fund at 25.6% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: SMH -45.3% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both SMH and VXUS?
SMH and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between SMH and VXUS?
At least 1.0% of SMH's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 25 positions we hold weights for in SMH and 8,094 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, SMH or VXUS?
SMH yields 0.22% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than SMH?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. SMH led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.