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 SMHX.
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.
MarketVector US Listed Fabless Semiconductor Index
ICE Semiconductor Index
Objective
Seeks to track, before fees and expenses, the price and yield performance of the MarketVector US Listed Fabless Semiconductor Index, which is composed of U.S.-listed fabless semiconductor companies that design and sell chips while outsourcing fabrication.
Tracks the ICE Semiconductor Index of US-listed semiconductor companies.
Asset class
Equity
Equity
Inception date
08/27/2024
07/10/2001
Beta
2.2504
2.24
Last dividend
$0.0090
$0.2830
Ex-dividend date
12/22/2025
06/15/2026
Bottom lineSMHX and SOXX are nearly interchangeable — both offer very similar technology 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.
Most used
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Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.
Total returns
SMHX has lagged SOXX over the trailing twelve months, posting a 77.47% total return against 127.40%. Measured from Aug 2024 — when the younger fund began trading — SOXX has compounded at 60.94% a year versus 56.15% for SMHX. 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 23, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; longer windows are annualized. “Since Aug 2024” measures every fund from August 28, 2024 — 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 past year. 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 past year) — higher is better. Max drawdown is the largest peak-to-trough total-return decline over the same window — shallower is better.
Quick verdict
SMHX (VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF) and SOXX (iShares Semiconductor ETF) are both dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.
SOXX offers the higher yield at 0.21% vs 0.02% for SMHX. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.
They track different benchmarks: SMHX is linked to MarketVector US Listed Fabless Semiconductor Index while SOXX tracks ICE Semiconductor Index, which means their performance drivers differ.
SOXX is the larger fund by assets ($45.1B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.
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On a $10,000 investment, SMHX would generate roughly $0.17/month, while SOXX would produce $1.75/month, at current distribution rates.
SMHX yield0.02%
SOXX yield0.21%
Monthly diff on $10K$1.58
Cost & efficiency
Over 10 years on $10,000, SMHX would cost approximately $350 in fees vs $350 for SOXX (simplified, not compounded). Both charge the same expense ratio.
SMHX ER0.35%
SOXX ER0.35%
Strategy & risk
SMHX tracks MarketVector US Listed Fabless Semiconductor Index with a technology approach, while SOXX tracks ICE Semiconductor Index. Beta is 2.2504 for SMHX and 2.24 for SOXX, indicating SOXX is less volatile relative to the market.
SMHX beta2.2504
SOXX beta2.24
Fund details
SMHX is managed by VanEck (launched 08/27/2024) with $253M in assets. SOXX is managed by iShares (launched 07/10/2001) with $45.1B in assets.
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Frequently asked questions
Is SMHX or SOXX better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. SOXX 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 SMHX and SOXX?
SMHX (VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF) tracks MarketVector US Listed Fabless Semiconductor Index with a technology approach, while SOXX (iShares Semiconductor ETF) tracks ICE Semiconductor Index. They are issued by VanEck and iShares respectively.
Can I hold both SMHX and SOXX?
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, SMHX or SOXX?
SMHX and SOXX 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 SMHX vs SOXX generate?
At current rates, $10,000 in SMHX would generate roughly $0.17 per month ($2.00 annually). The same in SOXX would produce about $1.75 per month ($21.00 annually).
Which has performed better historically, SMHX or SOXX?
SMHX has lagged SOXX over the trailing twelve months, posting a 77.47% total return against 127.40%. Measured from Aug 2024 — when the younger fund began trading — SOXX has compounded at 60.94% a year versus 56.15% for SMHX. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
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