Compare VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) vs Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLB) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
VanEck Semiconductor ETF vs Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund — how do they compare? VanEck Semiconductor ETF trades at $603.68 (market cap $73.92B), while Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund trades at $49.42 (market cap $7.73B). The key difference: VanEck Semiconductor ETF is far larger — about 9.6× Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund's market cap, and VanEck Semiconductor ETF is trading nearer its 52-week high, Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals — on Pluang, investors hold VanEck Semiconductor ETF for 101 Days and Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund for 70 Days on average.
| SMH | XLB | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $73.92B | $7.73B |
Volume | 11,050,892 | 13,681,146 |
52-Week High | $668.91 | $53.67 |
52-Week Low | $325.10 | $42.23 |
Typical Hold Time | 101 Days | 70 Days |
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
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.
XLB trades at $49.43, up 0.92% today, but technical indicators signal a bearish trend with moving averages and ADX showing sell signals. The ETF faces headwinds from sector concentration risks, with chemicals comprising 49% of assets. Recent news highlights materials as a potential 'anti-AI' play but questions near-term valuation after recent rebounds.
Outlook remains cautious given technical weakness and sector cyclicality. Investment opportunity exists for long-term infrastructure exposure, but risks include overconcentration in chemicals and potential earnings volatility. Current levels near support at $49 require monitoring for breakdown confirmation.
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Investor sentiment on Pluang
What Pluang investors did over the last 30 days
Investor sentiment on Pluang
What Pluang investors did over the last 30 days
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Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
Top news
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About VanEck Semiconductor ETF
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 →About Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund
In seeking to track the performance of the index, the fund employs a replication strategy. It generally invests substantially all, but at least 95%, of its total assets in the securities comprising the index. The index includes securities of companies from the following industries: chemicals; metals and mining; paper and forest products; containers and packaging; and construction materials. The fund is non-diversified.
Read more on XLB →
