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.
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 XSD.
Bottom lineSMH and XSD are nearly interchangeable — both offer very similar semiconductors exposure with very similar cost and risk. Fees are effectively identical, so it comes down to which your broker offers commission-free and any share-price or tax-lot preference.
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Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.
Total returns
SMH has outpaced XSD over the trailing twelve months, posting a 96.25% total return against 93.37%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: SMH has compounded at 35.53% a year, against 27.55% for XSD. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.
Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date, split-adjusted, as of July 16, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; longer windows are annualized. “Since Feb 2006” measures every fund from February 6, 2006 — the youngest fund's first trading day — 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.
Quick verdict
SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) and XSD (State Street SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF) are both dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.
SMH offers the higher yield at 0.19% vs 0.18% for XSD. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.
SMH is the larger fund by assets ($65.1B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.
Deep dive
Yield & income
On a $10,000 investment, SMH would generate roughly $1.58/month, while XSD would produce $1.50/month, at current distribution rates.
SMH yield0.19%
XSD yield0.18%
Monthly diff on $10K$0.08
Cost & efficiency
Over 10 years on $10,000, SMH would cost approximately $350 in fees vs $350 for XSD (simplified, not compounded). Both charge the same expense ratio.
SMH ER0.35%
XSD ER0.35%
Strategy & risk
SMH tracks MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index with a technology approach, while XSD is an ETF. Beta is 1.98 for SMH and 2.68 for XSD, indicating SMH is less volatile relative to the market.
SMH beta1.98
XSD beta2.68
Fund details
SMH is managed by VanEck (launched 12/20/2011) with $65.1B in assets. XSD is managed by State Street (launched 01/31/2006) with $3.20B in assets.
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Frequently asked questions
Is SMH or XSD better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. SMH 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.
What is the difference between SMH and XSD?
SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) tracks MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index with a technology approach, while XSD (State Street SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF) is an ETF. They are issued by VanEck and State Street respectively.
Can I hold both SMH and XSD?
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.
Which has lower fees, SMH or XSD?
SMH and XSD both charge the same expense ratio of 0.35%, so neither is cheaper on fees — pick based on yield, strategy, or underlying index instead.
How much income does $10,000 in SMH vs XSD generate?
At current rates, $10,000 in SMH would generate roughly $1.58 per month ($19.00 annually). The same in XSD would produce about $1.50 per month ($18.00 annually).
Which has performed better historically, SMH or XSD?
SMH has outpaced XSD over the trailing twelve months, posting a 96.25% total return against 93.37%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: SMH has compounded at 35.53% a year, against 27.55% for XSD. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
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