Dividend comparison
SMH vs SOXX: Which Is Better?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for VanEck Semiconductor ETF and iShares Semiconductor ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
SMH vs SOXX: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Fees. SOXX is cheaper at 0.33% a year versus 0.35% for SMH. On $10,000 that is $2 a year less in fees.
- Income. Their trailing yields are almost the same: 0.20% for SMH and 0.25% for SOXX. SMH pays annual, SOXX pays quarterly.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, SMH returned 322.6% versus 236.7% for SOXX, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $42,258 in SMH and $33,671 in SOXX.
- Risk. Their worst declines over the last 5 years were similar: -45.3% for SMH and -45.8% for SOXX from peak to trough.
- Diversification. SOXX holds 30 positions and SMH holds 26. The ten largest positions make up 68.1% of SMH and 61.6% of SOXX.
- Overlap. 70% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 24 shared holdings.
- Dividend growth. SOXX grew its yearly payout 11.9% a year over the last 4 years, versus 8.9% for SMH.
Bottom line: SMH fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns. SOXX fits better if you care most about faster dividend growth.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
| Metric | SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF | SOXX iShares Semiconductor ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 0.20% | 0.25% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $1.10 | $1.25 |
| Payout frequency | Annual | Quarterly |
| Last dividend | $1.1047 on Dec 26, 2025 | $0.3251 on Sep 18, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Dec 22, 2025 | Sep 15, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 8.9% over 4 yrs | 11.9% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $546.36 | $500.01 |
| Dividend growth streak | 2 years | 1 year |
| Beta | 1.98 | 2.24 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -45.3% | -45.8% |
| Market cap | $65.69B | $39.35B |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | NASDAQ |
| Expense ratio | 0.35% | 0.33% |
| Assets under management | $66.62B | $40.71B |
| Number of holdings | 26 | 30 |
| Top 10 concentration | 68.1% | 61.6% |
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
SOXX
$2.09/mo
$25 /yr at 0.25% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. SMH pays annual; SOXX pays quarterly.
| Year | SMH | SOXX |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1.1047 | $1.7214 |
| 2024 | $1.0713 | $1.4455 |
| 2023 | $1.0427 | $1.5039 |
| 2022 | $1.2005 | $1.5075 |
| 2021 | $0.7865 | $1.0993 |
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 $33,671 in SOXX.
| Period | SMH | SOXX |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | -4.65% | -6.20% |
| 3 months | -2.23% | -4.54% |
| Year to date | 51.71% | 66.33% |
| 1 year | 57.84% | 71.22% |
| 3 years | 289.73% | 233.45% |
| 5 years | 322.58% | 236.71% |
- SMH
- SOXX
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
- SOXX
SMH vs SOXX holdings overlap
70% overlap by weight, with 24 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 | SOXX weight |
|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 20.42% | 7.95% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 5.49% | 7.31% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 5.43% | 9.25% |
| MUMicron Technology Inc | 4.63% | 7.64% |
| MRVLMarvell Technology Inc | 4.45% | 4.53% |
| ADIAnalog Devices Inc | 4.47% | 4.40% |
| TXNTexas Instruments Inc | 4.99% | 4.28% |
| INTCIntel Corp | 4.09% | 8.32% |
| QCOMQualcomm Inc | 3.89% | 4.12% |
| KLACKla Corp | 4.30% | 3.84% |
Top 10 holdings
Largest positions by portfolio weight.
SMH26 holdings total
Quick verdict
SMH fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns. SOXX fits better if you care most about faster dividend growth. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
Forecast dividend income, track payouts, and see how SMH vs SOXX fits with the rest of your holdings. Free to start — no credit card required for the trial.
Frequently asked questions
Is SMH or SOXX better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. SMH currently yields 0.20% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while SOXX yields 0.25%. 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 SOXX?
VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) is an ETF listed on NASDAQ. iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) 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 SOXX?
SOXX has the lower expense ratio. SMH charges 0.35% a year and SOXX charges 0.33%, a difference of $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which has performed better, SMH or SOXX?
Over the last 5 years, SMH has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: SMH returned 322.6% and SOXX returned 236.7%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, SMH or SOXX?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, SOXX has been riskier: SMH fell as much as 45.3% and SOXX as much as 45.8%. Their betas are 1.98 and 2.24.
How much do SMH and SOXX overlap?
About 70% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 24 shared holdings. The largest shared positions are NVDA, AVGO, AMD. Holding both still adds meaningful diversification.
How often do SMH and SOXX pay dividends?
SMH pays annual and SOXX pays quarterly.
How much income does $10,000 in SMH vs SOXX generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in SMH would generate roughly $1.68 per month ($20 annually). The same amount in SOXX would produce about $2.09 per month ($25 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both SMH and SOXX?
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 SOXX with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how SMH and SOXX 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.