Dividend comparison
QTUM vs SMH: Which Is Better?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for Defiance Quantum ETF and VanEck Semiconductor ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
QTUM vs SMH: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Fees. SMH is cheaper at 0.35% a year versus 0.40% for QTUM. On $10,000 that is $5 a year less in fees.
- Income. QTUM pays more income, yielding 1.01% over the last twelve months versus 0.20% for SMH. That is about $80 more a year on $10,000. QTUM pays quarterly, SMH pays annual.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, SMH returned 322.6% versus 176.4% for QTUM, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $42,258 in SMH and $27,639 in QTUM.
- Risk. SMH has been the bumpier ride. Its worst peak-to-trough decline over the last 5 years was -45.3%, against -38.5% for QTUM.
- Diversification. QTUM holds 90 positions and SMH holds 26. The ten largest positions make up 18.0% of QTUM and 68.1% of SMH.
- Overlap. 25% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 23 shared holdings.
- Dividend growth. QTUM grew its yearly payout 42.3% a year over the last 4 years, versus 8.9% for SMH.
- Size. SMH is the larger fund with $66.6 billion in assets, against $5.2 billion for QTUM.
Bottom line: QTUM fits better if you care most about more income today, smaller drawdowns, faster dividend growth and broader diversification. SMH fits better if you care most about lower fees and stronger 5-year returns.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
| Metric | QTUM Defiance Quantum ETF | SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 1.01% | 0.20% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $1.40 | $1.10 |
| Payout frequency | Quarterly | Annual |
| Last dividend | $0.4646 on Sep 24, 2026 | $1.1047 on Dec 26, 2025 |
| Ex-dividend date | Sep 23, 2026 | Dec 22, 2025 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 42.3% over 4 yrs | 8.9% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $139.41 | $546.36 |
| Dividend growth streak | 1 year | 2 years |
| Beta | 1.67 | 1.98 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -38.5% | -45.3% |
| Market cap | $3.61B | $65.69B |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | NASDAQ |
| Expense ratio | 0.40% | 0.35% |
| Assets under management | $5.25B | $66.62B |
| Number of holdings | 90 | 26 |
| Top 10 concentration | 18.0% | 68.1% |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
QTUM
$8.39/mo
$101 /yr at 1.01% yield
SMH
$1.68/mo
$20 /yr at 0.20% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. QTUM pays quarterly; SMH pays annual.
| Year | QTUM | SMH |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1.1072 | $1.1047 |
| 2024 | $0.4929 | $1.0713 |
| 2023 | $0.4406 | $1.0427 |
| 2022 | $0.5720 | $1.2005 |
| 2021 | $0.2700 | $0.7865 |
Strategy: Sector and thematic
Funds that hold a single industry or theme, such as technology, semiconductors, healthcare or energy. Funds covering the same sector can still differ in concentration rules: some cap the largest positions while others let the biggest companies take a quarter of the fund. Sector funds are usually used to tilt a portfolio rather than as its core.
A single sector can fall far further than the broad market and stay down for years, and the largest names often dominate the fund.
Performance
Total returns with dividends reinvested, from the adjusted closing price series. $10,000 invested on Oct 20, 2021 would now be worth $27,639 in QTUM and $42,258 in SMH.
| Period | QTUM | SMH |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | -5.67% | -4.65% |
| 3 months | -1.61% | -2.23% |
| Year to date | 27.13% | 51.71% |
| 1 year | 25.59% | 57.84% |
| 3 years | 210.14% | 289.73% |
| 5 years | 176.39% | 322.58% |
- QTUM
- SMH
Both series indexed to 100 on 2021-10-20 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Sector allocation
Weight of each sector within the fund. Sectors are aligned on the same row so the two funds can be read against each other directly.
- QTUM
- SMH
QTUM vs SMH holdings overlap
25% overlap by weight, with 23 holdings in common. Overlap adds up the smaller of the two weights for every stock both funds own, so 100% would mean identical portfolios.
| Largest shared holdings | QTUM weight | SMH weight |
|---|---|---|
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 1.50% | 5.43% |
| NVDANVIDIA Corp | 1.37% | 20.42% |
| TSMTaiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd | 1.30% | 9.45% |
| MUMicron Technology Inc | 1.28% | 4.63% |
| ADIAnalog Devices Inc | 1.27% | 4.47% |
| SNPSSynopsys Inc | 1.25% | 2.06% |
| TXNTexas Instruments Inc | 1.24% | 4.99% |
| ASMLASML Holding NV | 1.20% | 4.51% |
| MRVLMARVELL TECHNOLOGY INC | 1.19% | 4.45% |
| TERTeradyne Inc | 1.22% | 1.17% |
Quick verdict
QTUM fits better if you care most about more income today, smaller drawdowns, faster dividend growth and broader diversification. SMH fits better if you care most about lower fees and stronger 5-year returns. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
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Frequently asked questions
Is QTUM or SMH better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. QTUM currently yields 1.01% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while SMH yields 0.20%. Higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, but may come with different risk, growth, or NAV characteristics. Compare total return and payout sustainability — not just the headline yield.
What is the difference between QTUM and SMH?
Defiance Quantum ETF (QTUM) is an ETF listed on NASDAQ. VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) is an ETF listed on NASDAQ. Side-by-side metrics on this page cover yield, fees, returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history when available.
Which is cheaper, QTUM or SMH?
SMH has the lower expense ratio. QTUM charges 0.40% a year and SMH charges 0.35%, a difference of $5 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which has performed better, QTUM or SMH?
Over the last 5 years, SMH has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: QTUM returned 176.4% and SMH returned 322.6%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, QTUM or SMH?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, SMH has been riskier: QTUM fell as much as 38.5% and SMH as much as 45.3%. Their betas are 1.67 and 1.98.
How much do QTUM and SMH overlap?
About 25% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 23 shared holdings. The largest shared positions are AMD, NVDA, TSM. Holding both still adds meaningful diversification.
How often do QTUM and SMH pay dividends?
QTUM pays quarterly and SMH pays annual.
How much income does $10,000 in QTUM vs SMH generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in QTUM would generate roughly $8.39 per month ($101 annually). The same amount in SMH would produce about $1.68 per month ($20 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both QTUM and SMH?
Yes. Many income investors hold both to diversify strategy or index exposure. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on overlapping holdings and factor exposure. Model both inside Dividend Wealth to see combined income, sector mix, and forecast impact.
Where can I compare QTUM vs SMH with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how QTUM and SMH fit alongside the rest of your portfolio. A 14-day free trial of Standard is available with no credit card required; a limited Free plan is also available.
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For informational and educational purposes only. Not investment advice. Past performance and current yields do not guarantee future results. Verify figures independently before making investment decisions.