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Dividend Vision

ETF Comparison

SMH vs SOXX vs VGT vs XLK: Semiconductors or Technology?

SMH and SOXX focus on the semiconductor industry. VGT covers U.S. information technology companies across large, mid, and small sizes; XLK covers the technology sector of the S&P 500. VGT and XLK also own semiconductor stocks, so adding a chip fund can increase existing concentration. Choose the exposure before comparing fees and past returns.

Updated September 30, 2026

How these figures are calculated: methodology.

Portfolio fit

  • SMHSemiconductor production and equipment exposure through VanEck's index fund.
  • SOXXU.S.-listed semiconductor equities with a different index and weighting mix.
  • VGTU.S. information technology exposure across large, mid, and small companies.
  • XLKInformation technology companies drawn from the S&P 500.

Compare the current 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. YTD and 1Y are cumulative period returns; 3Y, 5Y, and 10Y are annualized. The shared Since-start window is annualized only when it covers at least one year.

SOXX tops the group over the trailing twelve months with a 112.12% total return, against SMH at 89.33%, VGT at 35.88% and XLK at 40.37%. Across the 10-year window, SMH has the strongest compounding at 34.62% a year. 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.
SymbolYTD cumulative1Y cumulative3Y annualized5Y annualized10Y annualizedSince Jan 2004Volatility Sharpe Sortino Max drawdown
SMH63.14%89.33%61.74%37.36%34.62%19.67%37.1%1.181.68-35.7%
SOXX81.59%112.12%54.01%31.75%32.63%16.55%39.8%0.981.39-41.4%
VGT33.44%35.88%34.69%20.79%24.79%15.23%24.6%1.031.48-27.2%
XLK36.14%40.37%34.09%21.97%24.74%15.17%25.1%1.001.43-25.7%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of September 30, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative period returns; 3Y, 5Y, and 10Y are annualized. The shared Since-start window is annualized only when it covers at least one year. “Since Jan 2004” measures every fund from January 30, 2004 — 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.
MetricSMHSOXXVGTXLK
Full nameVanEck Semiconductor ETFiShares Semiconductor ETFVanguard Information Technology ETFState Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF
IssuerVanEckiSharesVanguardState Street
Underlying indexMVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 IndexICE Semiconductor IndexMSCI US Investable Market Index/Information Technology 25/50Technology Select Sector Index
Last Close$609.00 as of September 30, 2026$568.64 as of September 30, 2026$125.67 as of September 30, 2026$195.75 as of September 30, 2026
Distribution rate0.18%0.23%0.47%0.45%
Trailing 12-month yield0.18%0.22%0.38%0.43%
Distribution Safety Score™ 79669399
Safety-Adjusted Yield 0.14%0.15%0.44%0.45%
Expense ratio0.35%0.33%0.09%0.08%
AUM$74.6B$48.9B$155B$128B
Distribution frequencyAnnualQuarterlyQuarterlyQuarterly
ObjectiveTrack the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index.Tracks the ICE Semiconductor Index of US-listed semiconductor companies.Seeks to track the performance of the MSCI US Investable Market Index/Information Technology 25/50, an index made up of stocks of large, mid-size, and small U.S. companies within the information technology sector, including technology software and services, hardware and equipment, and semiconductor manufacturers.Track the Technology Select Sector Index, providing exposure to the information technology constituents of the S&P 500.
Asset classEquityEquityEquityEquity
Inception date12/20/201107/10/200101/26/200412/16/1998
Beta2.062.331.491.5
Last dividend$1.105$0.325$0.1465$0.221
Ex-dividend date12/22/202509/15/202609/23/202609/21/2026
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VanEck
ETFs85
Total AUM$171B

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.

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iShares
ETFs466
Total AUM$4683B

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

iShares is one of the largest ETF providers globally, known for offering a broad, diversified lineup of exchange-traded funds across multiple asset classes and investment strategies. The company operates 215 funds spanning 15 distinct families, including popular offerings in dividend income, covered call strategies, bonds, equities, ESG-focused investments, and factor-based approaches, with widely-held tickers like AGG (bond), ACWI (global equity), and AOA (allocation). iShares is characterized by its comprehensive fund ecosystem that serves both core portfolio holdings and specialized investment strategies, making it a prominent player for investors seeking both traditional and alternative income-generating ETF solutions.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on SOXX.

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Vanguard
ETFs116
Total AUM$4677B

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

Vanguard is one of the largest and most established ETF issuers, known for low-cost, broadly diversified fund offerings built on passive indexing principles. Their lineup spans multiple asset classes and strategies, including core equity and bond index funds, dividend-focused portfolios, ESG-screened options, factor-based strategies, sector exposure, target-date retirement funds, and international investments across developed and emerging markets. The platform is characterized by its emphasis on accessibility and cost efficiency across a comprehensive range of fund families, serving both individual investors seeking broad market exposure and those pursuing specific income, sustainability, or thematic objectives.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on VGT.

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State Street
ETFs179
Total AUM$2148B

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

State Street Global Advisors (SSGA) is one of the largest ETF providers globally, known for its flagship SPDR suite of exchange-traded products that serve both institutional and retail investors across a broad range of asset classes. Their 88-fund lineup spans diverse strategies including sector exposure (Select Sector SPDR), income generation (Income and Select Sector SPDR Premium Income families), commodities (including the widely-held GLD gold ETF), bonds, ESG-focused investments, and thematic allocations, with popular tickers like DIA (Diamonds Trust), FEZ (Eurozone exposure), and JNK (high-yield bonds) among their most recognized funds. The issuer is characterized by its comprehensive coverage across multiple market segments and its emphasis on both traditional index-based products and specialized strategies like covered call income funds and factor-based investing.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on XLK.

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Quick verdict

SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF), SOXX (iShares Semiconductor ETF), VGT (Vanguard Information Technology ETF), XLK (State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF) are dividend ETFs that take different approaches.

VGT offers the highest reported yield at 0.47%, followed by XLK at 0.45%, SOXX at 0.23%, SMH at 0.18%.

XLK is the cheapest with an expense ratio of 0.08%, compared to 0.09% for VGT and 0.33% for SOXX and 0.35% for SMH.

VGT is the largest fund by assets ($155B), but assets alone do not establish trading costs or liquidity.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment: SMH generates ~$18.00 cash per distribution, SOXX generates ~$5.75 cash per distribution, VGT generates ~$11.75 cash per distribution, XLK generates ~$11.25 cash per distribution at current distribution rates.

SMH yield0.18%
SOXX yield0.23%
VGT yield0.47%
XLK yield0.45%

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000: SMH costs ~$350, SOXX costs ~$330, VGT costs ~$90, XLK costs ~$80 in fees (simplified, not compounded).

SMH ER0.35%
SOXX ER0.33%
VGT ER0.09%
XLK ER0.08%

Strategy & risk

SMH and SOXX focus on the semiconductor industry. VGT covers U.S. information technology companies across large, mid, and small sizes; XLK covers the technology sector of the S&P 500. VGT and XLK also own semiconductor stocks, so adding a chip fund can increase existing concentration. Choose the exposure before comparing fees and past returns.

SMH beta2.06
SOXX beta2.33
VGT beta1.49
XLK beta1.5

Fund details

SMH is managed by VanEck (launched 12/20/2011) with $74.6B in assets. SOXX is managed by iShares (launched 07/10/2001) with $48.9B in assets. VGT is managed by Vanguard (launched 01/26/2004) with $155B in assets. XLK is managed by State Street (launched 12/16/1998) with $128B in assets.

SMH AUM$74.6B
SOXX AUM$48.9B
VGT AUM$155B
XLK AUM$128B
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Frequently asked questions

SMH vs SOXX vs VGT: what exposure changes?

SMH and SOXX concentrate on semiconductor companies, with different index selection and weights. VGT includes software, hardware, services, and semiconductor companies across the U.S. information technology sector. A wider sector universe still leaves technology concentration.

How does XLK differ from VGT?

XLK selects technology companies from the S&P 500. VGT tracks the MSCI US Investable Market Information Technology 25/50 Index, including large, mid, and small U.S. companies. Compare current holdings and weights: neither fund is a diversified whole-market allocation.

Does combining a semiconductor fund with VGT or XLK diversify my portfolio?

It may increase semiconductor exposure already present in the technology fund. Inspect overlapping holdings and combined position weights before adding funds. Different ticker symbols do not establish diversification, and industry concentration can amplify losses.

How should I compare performance and risk across these funds?

Use net total returns over the same dates, then review concentration, volatility, and drawdown over matching periods. Past leadership can change with the reporting window. Historical beta does not predict a specific future loss, and a higher distribution rate is not a return forecast.

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How covered-call funds work How to read a fund's stats The covered-call opportunity cost

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These comparisons follow the Dividend Vision methodology.