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Dividend Vision

ETF Comparison

CHPS vs SMH: Same Industry, Two Semiconductor Books

A head-to-head of Xtrackers Semiconductor Select Equity and VanEck Semiconductor covering index construction and cost.

Data updated September 18, 2026

Best for

  • CHPSInvestors who want broad equity exposure.
  • SMHInvestors who want broad equity exposure.

Jump to the side-by-side numbers

Visual comparison

Key metrics

Projected income on $10K

Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.

Total returns

100% reinvested · ex-date convention. Period returns use this fixed assumption, independent of chart settings.

CHPS has outpaced SMH over the trailing twelve months, posting a 125.25% total return against 88.30%. The picture flips over 3 years, though — SMH has compounded at 57.97% a year, ahead of CHPS at 54.91%. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.

Total return and risk statistics by fund. Each row is one fund; each column is one period or statistic.
SymbolYTD1Y3YSince Jul 2023Volatility Sharpe Sortino Max drawdown
CHPS72.57%125.25%54.91%46.97%38.0%1.041.49-39.4%
SMH53.50%88.30%57.97%50.45%37.0%1.121.59-35.7%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of September 18, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; windows of one year or longer are annualized. “Since Jul 2023” measures every fund from July 13, 2023 — the start of shared available history — so all funds share one comparison window. Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily total returns over the trailing 3 years. Sharpe and Sortino divide the annualized return in excess of the risk-free rate by, respectively, that volatility and the downside deviation (both over the trailing 3 years) — higher is better. Max drawdown is the largest peak-to-trough total-return decline over the same window — shallower is better.

Side-by-side snapshot

Side-by-side snapshot. Each row is one metric; each column is one fund.
MetricCHPSSMH
Full nameXtrackers Semiconductor Select Equity ETFVanEck Semiconductor ETF
IssuerDWSVanEck
Last Close$84.86 as of September 18, 2026$573.00 as of September 18, 2026
Distribution rate0.32%0.19%
Distribution Safety Score™ 8693
Safety-Adjusted Yield 0.28%0.18%
Expense ratio0.15%0.35%
AUM$113M$66.8B
Distribution frequencyQuarterlyAnnual
Underlying index—MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index
Objective—Track the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index.
Asset classEquityEquity
Inception date07/12/202312/20/2011
Beta2.462.06
Last dividend$0.068$1.105
Ex-dividend date06/18/202612/22/2025

Bottom lineCHPS and SMH are both for investors who want broad equity exposure — so strategy isn't the deciding factor here. Cost is: CHPS charges 0.15% against 0.35% for SMH, and between two funds this similar that gap comes straight out of your return every year you hold.

Two semiconductor books

Both hold chip stocks. Index and concentration decide whether a second fund adds anything.

CHPSSMH
IndustrySemiconductorsSemiconductors
Expense ratio0.15%0.35%
Fund size$113M$66.8B
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Income calculator

See how much monthly income a hypothetical investment would generate in each ETF at current yields.

DWS
ETFs42
Total AUM$33.6B

ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.

DWS is known for offering specialized ETFs through its Xtrackers family, focusing primarily on fixed-income and alternative income strategies. Its lineup of seven funds emphasizes high-yield bonds, covered call strategies, and emerging market exposures, with popular tickers including BHYB (Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF) and HYLB (High Yield Limited Duration Bond ETF). The issuer carves out a niche in the ETF space by combining traditional fixed-income products with options-based income strategies, appealing to investors seeking enhanced yield in various market environments.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on CHPS.

See all DWS ETFs
VanEck
ETFs85
Total AUM$163B

ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.

VanEck is known for offering specialized and thematic ETFs across diverse asset classes, including commodities, digital assets, and sector-specific investments. The firm's 22-fund lineup spans income-generating options, covered call strategies, and growth-focused equity funds, with popular tickers including GDX (gold miners), SMH (semiconductors), MOAT (competitive advantage stocks), and HODL (bitcoin). VanEck distinguishes itself through niche exposure areas such as digital assets, commodities, and thematic investing strategies, complemented by traditional bond and municipal bond offerings.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on SMH.

See all VanEck ETFs

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Quick verdict

CHPS (Xtrackers Semiconductor Select Equity ETF) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) are both dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.

CHPS offers the higher yield at 0.32% vs 0.19% for SMH. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.

CHPS is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.15% compared to 0.35%.

SMH is the larger fund by assets ($66.8B), but assets alone do not establish trading costs or liquidity.

Who should choose each?

Choose CHPS

Xtrackers Semiconductor Select Equity ETF

  • Want broad equity exposure.
  • Want to keep costs low — a 0.15% expense ratio vs 0.35% for SMH.

Choose SMH

VanEck Semiconductor ETF

  • Want broad equity exposure.
  • Prefer lower volatility — a beta of 2.1 vs 2.5 for CHPS.

Not sure? Use the income calculator and snapshot above to weigh these trade-offs against your own goals.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, CHPS would generate roughly $2.67/month, while SMH would produce $1.58/month, at current distribution rates.

CHPS yield0.32%
SMH yield0.19%
Monthly diff on $10K$1.08

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, CHPS would cost approximately $150 in fees vs $350 for SMH (simplified, not compounded). The $200.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

CHPS ER0.15%
SMH ER0.35%

Strategy & risk

CHPS is an ETF built around semiconductors exposure, while SMH tracks MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index with a technology approach. Beta is 2.46 for CHPS and 2.06 for SMH, making SMH the less volatile of the two by this measure.

CHPS beta2.46
SMH beta2.06

Fund details

CHPS is managed by DWS (launched 07/12/2023) with $113M in assets. SMH is managed by VanEck (launched 12/20/2011) with $66.8B in assets.

CHPS AUM$113M
SMH AUM$66.8B
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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between CHPS and SMH?

CHPS (Xtrackers Semiconductor Select Equity ETF) and SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) both hold semiconductor stocks. Indexes and concentration differ. Cost is 0.15% versus 0.35%; size is $113M versus $66.8B. Distributions are 0.32% and 0.19% as of September 2026. Industry overlap is high; construction is the gap.

What is the current distribution rate for CHPS and SMH?

CHPS currently distributes 0.32% and SMH 0.19%, based on fund data updated September 2026. Distribution rate moves with both the payout and the share price, so check the as-of date before relying on either figure.

Is CHPS or SMH better for dividend income?

It depends on your goals. CHPS currently offers the higher distribution yield, which means more income per dollar invested. However, a lower-yield fund may offer better total return or lower volatility. Consider your time horizon and risk tolerance.

Can I hold both CHPS and SMH?

Yes — nothing prevents holding both. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on how much the underlying exposures overlap, which isn't fully measurable from the data on this page; review each security's holdings, sector, and strategy before treating them as complementary.

Is CHPS or SMH safer?

By Dividend Vision's Distribution Safety Score — a rules-based 0–100 estimate of how resilient a distribution looks, where higher is safer — SMH scores 93, CHPS scores 86, so SMH's payout currently looks the more resilient of the two. SMH has also shown lower price volatility (beta 2.06 vs 2.46 for CHPS). No score makes an investment risk-free — treat this as a screening signal, not a guarantee.

Which has lower fees, CHPS or SMH?

CHPS has an expense ratio of 0.15% while SMH charges 0.35%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.

How much income does $10,000 in CHPS vs SMH generate?

At current rates, $10,000 in CHPS would generate roughly $2.67 per month ($32.00 annually). The same in SMH would produce about $1.58 per month ($19.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, CHPS or SMH?

CHPS has outpaced SMH over the trailing twelve months, posting a 125.25% total return against 88.30%. The picture flips over 3 years, though — SMH has compounded at 57.97% a year, ahead of CHPS at 54.91%. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

More comparisons to explore

CHPS vs SMH — at a glance

Generated September 19, 2026.

Overview

CHPS and SMH are both semiconductor-focused equity ETFs, but they differ fundamentally in scale, approach, and maturity. SMH is a long-established index tracker backed by $66.8B in assets, while CHPS is a newer active or semi-active fund launched in 2023 with $113M under management. Both capture semiconductor sector exposure, but with different cost structures and trading profiles.

How they differ

The most obvious distinction: SMH is an index fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index, while CHPS does not disclose an index methodology, suggesting a non-indexed approach. That structural difference shapes everything downstream. Volatility is measurably different — SMH has a beta of 2.06, while CHPS shows 2.46, meaning CHPS is expected to swing harder with market moves. Finally, CHPS is barely a year old as of 07/12/2023, while SMH has operated since 12/20/2011, giving it a much longer track record.

  • CHPS: Designed for investors willing to accept a newer fund's limited track record in exchange for a lower expense ratio and potentially more active or concentrated positioning within the semiconductor space.

Key risks to know

  • Sector concentration: Both funds concentrate entirely in semiconductors; a sharp downturn in chip design, manufacturing, or demand affects both equally. Verify holdings overlap if considering them together.
  • Higher volatility in CHPS: With a beta of 2.46 versus SMH's 2.06, CHPS amplifies semiconductor sector swings more dramatically, creating larger drawdowns in downturns and sharper recoveries in rallies.
  • Fund age and track record: CHPS launched in mid-2023 and has not weathered a full market cycle; its non-indexed strategy and actual performance under stress remain unproven. SMH's longer history provides a clearer picture of behavior across different rate environments. Smaller ETFs can experience wider bid-ask gaps and higher slippage on large orders.
  • Fee drag at different scales: Although CHPS charges 0.15% versus SMH's 0.35%, CHPS's lower fee advantage shrinks or vanishes if its strategy underperforms an index baseline or if smaller AUM limits operational efficiency. If you're drawn to a lower expense ratio and prefer an active or differently-weighted approach, CHPS presents an option—but you're accepting a fund with minimal operational history and significantly higher expected volatility. Neither choice is inherently superior; the trade-off hinges on whether you value the safety of an established index product or the cost efficiency of a newer, more concentrated strategy.

AI-generated analysis for educational purposes only. Verify important details independently; past performance does not guarantee future results.

Learn the method

The metrics behind this comparison, explained in the Academy.

Dividend growth vs. high yield Yield on cost, explained How expense ratios eat returns

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