Dividend comparison
SMH vs SOXQ: Which Is Better?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for VanEck Semiconductor ETF and Invesco PHLX Semiconductor ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
SMH vs SOXQ: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Fees. SOXQ is cheaper at 0.19% a year versus 0.35% for SMH. On $10,000 that is $16 a year less in fees.
- Income. SOXQ pays more income, yielding 0.33% over the last twelve months versus 0.20% for SMH. That is about $13 more a year on $10,000. SMH pays annual, SOXQ pays quarterly.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, SMH returned 322.6% versus 246.6% for SOXQ, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $42,258 in SMH and $34,662 in SOXQ.
- Risk. Their worst declines over the last 5 years were similar: -45.3% for SMH and -46.0% for SOXQ from peak to trough.
- Diversification. SOXQ holds 31 positions and SMH holds 26. The ten largest positions make up 68.1% of SMH and 59.4% of SOXQ.
- Overlap. 75% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 22 shared holdings. Owning both adds little diversification.
- Dividend growth. SMH grew its yearly payout 8.9% a year over the last 3 years, versus 1.1% for SOXQ.
- Size. SMH is the larger fund with $66.6 billion in assets, against $2.9 billion for SOXQ.
Bottom line: SMH fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns and faster dividend growth. SOXQ fits better if you care most about lower fees. With 75% overlap, most investors would hold one or the other rather than both.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
| Metric | SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF | SOXQ Invesco PHLX Semiconductor ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 0.20% | 0.33% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $1.10 | $0.29 |
| Payout frequency | Annual | Quarterly |
| Last dividend | $1.1047 on Dec 26, 2025 | $0.0845 on Sep 25, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Dec 22, 2025 | Sep 21, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 8.9% over 4 yrs | 1.1% over 3 yrs |
| Price | $546.36 | $88.77 |
| Dividend growth streak | 2 years | 1 year |
| Beta | 1.98 | 2.19 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -45.3% | -46.0% |
| Market cap | $65.69B | $2.81B |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | NASDAQ |
| Expense ratio | 0.35% | 0.19% |
| Assets under management | $66.62B | $2.89B |
| Number of holdings | 26 | 31 |
| Top 10 concentration | 68.1% | 59.4% |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
SMH
$1.68/mo
$20 /yr at 0.20% yield
SOXQ
$2.76/mo
$33 /yr at 0.33% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. SMH pays annual; SOXQ pays quarterly.
| Year | SMH | SOXQ |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1.1047 | $0.2795 |
| 2024 | $1.0713 | $0.2666 |
| 2023 | $1.0427 | $0.2863 |
| 2022 | $1.2005 | $0.2707 |
| 2021 | $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 $42,258 in SMH and $34,662 in SOXQ.
| Period | SMH | SOXQ |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | -4.65% | -5.34% |
| 3 months | -2.23% | -3.36% |
| Year to date | 51.71% | 59.17% |
| 1 year | 57.84% | 63.87% |
| 3 years | 289.73% | 244.60% |
| 5 years | 322.58% | 246.62% |
- SMH
- SOXQ
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.
- SMH
- SOXQ
SMH vs SOXQ holdings overlap
75% overlap by weight, with 22 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 | SMH weight | SOXQ weight |
|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 20.42% | 12.07% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 5.49% | 9.20% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 5.43% | 4.66% |
| MUMicron Technology Inc | 4.63% | 7.60% |
| ADIAnalog Devices Inc | 4.47% | 4.53% |
| MRVLMarvell Technology Inc | 4.45% | 4.46% |
| TXNTexas Instruments Inc | 4.99% | 4.39% |
| TSMTaiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co L | 9.45% | 4.12% |
| INTCIntel Corp | 4.09% | 4.16% |
| ASMLAsml Holding Nv | 4.51% | 4.01% |
Quick verdict
SMH fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns and faster dividend growth. SOXQ fits better if you care most about lower fees. With 75% overlap, most investors would hold one or the other rather than both. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
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Frequently asked questions
Is SMH or SOXQ better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. SMH currently yields 0.20% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while SOXQ yields 0.33%. 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 SMH and SOXQ?
VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) is an ETF listed on NASDAQ. Invesco PHLX Semiconductor ETF (SOXQ) 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, SMH or SOXQ?
SOXQ has the lower expense ratio. SMH charges 0.35% a year and SOXQ charges 0.19%, a difference of $16 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which has performed better, SMH or SOXQ?
Over the last 5 years, SMH has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: SMH returned 322.6% and SOXQ returned 246.6%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, SMH or SOXQ?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, SOXQ has been riskier: SMH fell as much as 45.3% and SOXQ as much as 46.0%. Their betas are 1.98 and 2.19.
How much do SMH and SOXQ overlap?
About 75% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 22 shared holdings. The largest shared positions are NVDA, AVGO, AMD. Holding both adds little diversification.
How often do SMH and SOXQ pay dividends?
SMH pays annual and SOXQ pays quarterly.
How much income does $10,000 in SMH vs SOXQ generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in SMH would generate roughly $1.68 per month ($20 annually). The same amount in SOXQ would produce about $2.76 per month ($33 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both SMH and SOXQ?
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 SMH vs SOXQ with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how SMH and SOXQ 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.