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SMH vs XLK

Total return with dividends reinvested · 5Y

Open chart
SMHVanEck Semiconductor ETFXLKState Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF
0%+75%+150%+225%+300%+375%10-25’2108-23’2206-22’2304-19’2402-19’2512-16SMH +327.4%XLK +146.2%lopjlb.com
SMH
XLK

Return and risk 5Y

Ticker$10K becameTotalPer yearVolatilityWorst dropOff high nowBest yearWorst yearYears upCorr. with SMH
SMH$42,744+327.44%+33.80%36.9%-45.30%-16.78%+74.72% 2023-34.95% 202275%—
XLK$24,615+146.15%+19.79%26.0%-33.57%-6.66%+57.51% 2023-28.41% 202275%0.92
SMH
$10K became
$42,744
Total
+327.44%
Per year
+33.80%
Volatility
36.9%
Worst drop
-45.30%
Off high now
-16.78%
Best year
+74.72% 2023
Worst year
-34.95% 2022
XLK
$10K became
$24,615
Total
+146.15%
Per year
+19.79%
Volatility
26.0%
Worst drop
-33.57%
Off high now
-6.66%
Best year
+57.51% 2023
Worst year
-28.41% 2022

Per year is the compound annual growth rate and needs a year of history. Volatility is the yearly spread of daily returns. Best and worst years count full calendar years only.

Drawdown from peak 5Y

0%-25%-50%
2021-102026-10

Correlation of daily returns

SMHXLKSMH1.000.92XLK0.921.00

1 moves together, 0 unrelated, negative moves opposite. Lower correlation means more diversification.

Trailing returns up to 5 years

Ticker1Y2Y3Y5Y
SMH————
XLK————

Calendar-year returns best each year in bold

YearSMHXLK
No full years in this range yet.

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About this comparison

VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) vs State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) total return over 5Y: SMH +327.44%, XLK +146.15%. As of Oct 21, 2026. Research only.

Desk note, written 2026-10-16. Its figures are as of that date; the tables above are live.

The VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has delivered a total‑return gain of +335.4% over the past five years, outpacing the State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK), which posted a +149.7% return in the same window. SMH closed at $558.8 on 2026‑10‑15, down 1.04%, while XLK finished at $189.2, off 0.65% on the same date. SMH’s overlay shows a SELL directional signal with a –5 score, sitting in a RECOVERY market regime (28‑day). The composite performance metric reads 38.90, quality score 52.60 and the fund is classified as a Balanced archetype. Archetype: Balanced – open the SMH page for full overlay detail. XLK carries a BUY directional signal, –3 score, and is flagged in a BEAR regime (2‑day). Its composite performance is 53.80, quality 57.50 and also falls under a Balanced archetype. Archetype: Balanced – open the XLK page for full overlay detail.

What does the SMH vs XLK overlay show?

LOPJLB overlays SMH vs XLK as total return (dividends and splits) from the first adjusted close in the selected 5Y window. Each path starts at 0% so you can read relative holding performance, not raw tape price.

Is this holding return or tape close?

Holding return. The series uses split- and dividend-adjusted close (Yahoo-style backward adjustment) when dividend coverage is sufficient, otherwise it falls back to tape close. Candles and technical overlays on /chart stay tape.

Which windows are public?

Public visitors can share 1M, 3M, 6M, YTD, 1Y, and 5Y. MAX is Research+. Direction and regime in the table follow the desk ladder: SPY25 on Free, full book on Essential+.

How do I read the drawdown, period, and annual tables?

Drawdowns are current and worst peak-to-trough on the visible range. Periods are calendar lookbacks (1Y / 2Y / 3Y / 5Y, plus 10Y on MAX) from the last bar. Annual is calendar-year holding return, with the latest year labeled YTD.

How has SMH vs XLK performed on a normalized basis?

SMH vs XLK holding-return overlay: 5Y SMH +327.44% · XLK +146.15%; worst drawdown SMH -45.30% · XLK -33.57%; YTD SMH +49.13% · XLK +31.12%. Numbers update from the live compare-series book.

Is ticker compare investment advice?

No. The overlay is research context only — not a recommendation to buy or sell any security.

Related: SMH, XLK, methodology, chart