iShares US Aerospace & Defense ETF vs VanEck Semiconductor ETF — how do they compare? iShares US Aerospace & Defense ETF trades at $206.65 (market cap $11.87B), while VanEck Semiconductor ETF trades at $603.33 (market cap $73.92B). The key difference: VanEck Semiconductor ETF is far larger — about 6.2× iShares US Aerospace & Defense ETF's market cap, and VanEck Semiconductor ETF is trading nearer its 52-week high, iShares US Aerospace & Defense ETF nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals — on Pluang, investors hold iShares US Aerospace & Defense ETF for 19 Days and VanEck Semiconductor ETF for 101 Days on average.
| ITA | SMH | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $11.87B | $73.92B |
Volume | 1,060,125 | 11,050,892 |
Sector | Sector/Thematic | — |
52-Week High | $253.22 | $668.91 |
52-Week Low | $198.23 | $325.10 |
Typical Hold Time | 19 Days | 101 Days |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
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SMH trades at $603.33, down 3.47% on the day, but maintains a bullish technical outlook with strong moving average support. The semiconductor ETF has delivered exceptional returns, up approximately 69% year-to-date through September 30, 2026, significantly outperforming the broader market. Recent sector strength is driven by AI demand and positive industry developments, including AMD's $8.2 billion acquisition of World Labs.
The semiconductor sector's structural growth, particularly in AI applications, supports continued upside potential. However, concentration risk in top holdings like Nvidia and sensitivity to US-China trade tensions present meaningful headwinds. Current technical levels suggest support at $597 with resistance at $620, providing clear near-term trading parameters.
Trailing returns across standard periods
What Pluang investors did over the last 30 days
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Latest headlines on both assets
iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF seeks to track U.S. companies in the aerospace and defense sector. Its holdings include manufacturers of commercial and military aircraft, defense systems, and related equipment.
Read more on ITA →The fund normally invests at least 80% of its total assets in securities that comprise the target index. The index includes common stocks and depositary receipts of US exchange-listed companies in the semiconductor industry. Such companies may include medium-capitalization companies and foreign companies that are listed on a US exchange. The fund is non-diversified.
Read more on SMH →