Should You Invest in the VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH)?

Core Viewpoint - The VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) provides broad exposure to the Technology - Semiconductors segment, appealing to both retail and institutional investors due to its low costs, transparency, and tax efficiency [1][2]. Group 1: Fund Overview - The VanEck Semiconductor ETF was launched on December 20, 2011, and has accumulated over $26.92 billion in assets, making it one of the largest ETFs in its category [3]. - SMH aims to match the performance of the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index, which tracks companies involved in semiconductor production and equipment [3]. Group 2: Costs and Performance - The ETF has an annual operating expense ratio of 0.35%, positioning it as one of the least expensive options in the market, with a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 0.37% [4]. - Year-to-date, the ETF has returned approximately 19.87%, and it has increased about 22.47% over the last 12 months as of September 1, 2025 [7]. Group 3: Holdings and Risk - Nvidia Corp (NVDA) constitutes about 22.57% of total assets, with the top 10 holdings making up approximately 74.42% of total assets under management [5][6]. - The ETF has a beta of 1.47 and a standard deviation of 34.6% over the trailing three-year period, indicating a high-risk profile [7]. Group 4: Alternatives - The VanEck Semiconductor ETF holds a Zacks ETF Rank of 1 (Strong Buy), suggesting it is a strong option for investors seeking exposure to the Technology ETFs segment [8]. - Other alternatives in the semiconductor ETF space include the SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD) and the iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX), with respective assets of $1.41 billion and $13.73 billion [9][10].