A side-by-side comparison of iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) and VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) to help Canadian investors make an informed decision.
1-Year Performance
Normalised to 100 at the start — shows relative return over the trailing 12 months.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | SOXX | SMH |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | -26.53% | -22.49%✓ |
| 1-Day Change | -0.12%✓ | -0.78% |
| 1-Week Change | -5.43%✓ | -6.73% |
| 1-Month Change | -19.29% | -18.17%✓ |
| Current Price | $146.59 | $483.63 |
| AUM | $41.43B | $63.48B✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0.33%✓ | 0.35% |
| Dividend Yield | 0.28%✓ | 0.21% |
| Distribution Frequency | — | — |
| Inception Date | 2001-07-10 | 2011-12-20 |
| Holdings Count | 30 | 24 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | — |
| Category | Technology Equity | Technology Equity |
| Beta | 2.41 | 2.12 |
| 52-Week High | $218.51 | $671.83 |
| 52-Week Low | $86.54 | $314.07 |
| 50-Day MA | $173.66 | $564.32 |
| 200-Day MA | $159.56 | $522.19 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | SOXX | SMH |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | -26.53% | -22.49%✓ |
| 1 Year | +46.22%✓ | +34.68% |
| 3 Year | +41.37% | +47.26%✓ |
| 5 Year | +22.04% | +28.35%✓ |
| 10 Year | +30.82% | +30.91%✓ |
| 1Y Volatility | 59.45% | 48.26% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 1.11 | 1.35 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | AMD | Advanced Micro Devices Inc | 9.41% |
| 2 | NVDA | NVIDIA Corporation | 8.32% |
| 3 | AVGO | Broadcom Inc | 7.48% |
| 4 | MU | Micron Technology Inc | 7.06% |
| 5 | INTC | Intel Corporation | 6.02% |
| 6 | TXN | Texas Instruments Incorporated | 5.29% |
| 7 | ADI | Analog Devices Inc | 5.11% |
| 8 | QCOM | Qualcomm Incorporated | 4.99% |
| 9 | NXPI | NXP Semiconductors NV | 4.48% |
| 10 | KLAC | KLA Corporation | 3.85% |
| 1 | NVDA | NVIDIA Corporation | 20.49% |
| 2 | TSM | Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing | 10.18% |
| 3 | TXN | Texas Instruments Incorporated | 5.76% |
| 4 | AVGO | Broadcom Inc | 5.59% |
| 5 | AMD | Advanced Micro Devices Inc | 5.09% |
| 6 | ADI | Analog Devices Inc | 4.87% |
| 7 | ASML | ASML Holding N.V. New York Registry Shares | 4.59% |
| 8 | QCOM | Qualcomm Incorporated | 4.33% |
| 9 | KLAC | KLA Corporation | 4.09% |
| 10 | MU | Micron Technology Inc | 4.20% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | SOXX | SMH |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Communication Services | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Defensive | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Energy | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Financial Services | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Healthcare | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Industrials | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Real Estate | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Technology | 100.00% | 100.00% |
| Utilities | 0.00% | 0.00% |
About SOXX
The fund generally will invest at least 80% of its assets in the component securities of its index and in investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the component securities of its index and may invest up to 20% of its assets in certain futures, options and swap contracts, cash and cash equivalents. The fund is non-diversified.
About SMH
The fund normally invests at least 80% of its total assets in securities that comprise the fund's benchmark index. The index includes common stocks and depositary receipts of U.S. exchange-listed companies in the semiconductor industry. Such companies may include medium-capitalization companies and foreign companies that are listed on a U.S. exchange. The fund is non-diversified.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both SOXX and SMH are listed on Canadian exchanges and accessible through most Canadian brokerages including Questrade, Wealthsimple Trade, TD Direct, and Interactive Brokers.
Based on the available data, SMH scores higher across our tracked metrics including YTD performance, dividend yield, and AUM — though both ETFs warrant individual research before investing.
- Consider your account type (TFSA, RRSP, non-registered) as it can affect dividend taxation.
- Compare management expense ratios (MER) directly on each provider's website.
- Look at average daily trading volume to assess liquidity.
- Review the fund's underlying index and holdings to ensure the exposure matches your goals.
This is not financial advice. Always do your own research or consult a licensed financial advisor before investing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between SOXX and SMH?
SOXX (iShares Semiconductor ETF) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($41.43B vs $63.48B), dividend yield (0.28% vs 0.21%), and year-to-date performance (-26.53% vs -22.49%).
Is SOXX better than SMH?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise dividends, compare both yields and choose based on your income needs. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy SOXX and SMH on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both SOXX and SMH should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
Free newsletter · Every Tuesday morning
The Tuesday Stock Pick
One Canadian stock and the case for it.
- The name with the biggest gap to analyst targets
- The chart, insider buying and what is driving it
- A plain-English bottom line, no hype