AIQ
Price
$62.52
Change
-$5.55 (-8.15%)
Updated
Jun 5 closing price
Net Assets
11.13B
Intraday BUY SELL Signals
SMH
Price
$569.69
Change
-$57.84 (-9.22%)
Updated
Jun 5 closing price
Net Assets
71.71B
Intraday BUY SELL Signals
SOXX
Price
$539.77
Change
-$62.95 (-10.44%)
Updated
Jun 5 closing price
Net Assets
40.47B
Intraday BUY SELL Signals
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AIQ or SMH or SOXX

Header iconAIQ vs SMH vs SOXX Comparison
Open Charts AIQ vs SMH vs SOXXBanner chart's image
AIQ vs SMH vs SOXX Comparison Chart in %
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Which ETF would AI Choose? Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF (AIQ) vs. VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) vs. iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX)

Key Takeaways

  • AIQ offers broader thematic exposure to artificial intelligence and big data across 84 holdings, providing greater diversification than the semiconductor-focused SMH and SOXX.
  • SMH and SOXX deliver concentrated pure-play semiconductor exposure, with SMH tracking 25 highly liquid leaders via the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index and SOXX covering 30 U.S.-listed firms via the NYSE Semiconductor Index.
  • Expense ratios vary: AIQ at 0.68%, SMH at 0.35%, and SOXX at 0.34%, making the semiconductor ETFs more cost-efficient for targeted sector bets.
  • SMH exhibits higher concentration risk with top holdings like NVDA (18%) and TSM (11%), while SOXX caps individual weights for balance.
  • In recent months, SOXX and SMH have shown stronger trend consistency amid AI chip demand, though with elevated volatility compared to AIQ's diversified profile.
  • All three benefit from AI-driven capital flows but differ in risk: AIQ for thematic breadth, SMH/SOXX for sector depth.

Introduction

Amid surging demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure, Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF (AIQ), VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH), and iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) offer compelling yet distinct ways to capture tech growth. AIQ provides thematic exposure to AI developers, enablers, and hardware across global markets, while SMH and SOXX focus narrowly on semiconductors—the critical backbone of AI computing. These ETFs represent varied strategic approaches: AIQ's broader diversification versus the pure-sector intensity of SMH and SOXX. With hyperscalers ramping capital expenditures on data centers and AI accelerators, comparing their structures, exposures, and positioning helps investors navigate this high-conviction theme in the current market environment.

Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF (AIQ) Overview

The Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF (AIQ) is a passive thematic fund tracking the Indxx Artificial Intelligence & Big Data Index. It invests at least 80% of assets in companies developing or utilizing AI and big data, including software, hardware, and services. With approximately 84 holdings, AIQ emphasizes diversification across AI ecosystem participants.

Top holdings include SK hynix (4.8%), INTC (4.2%), Samsung Electronics (4.1%), AMD (4.0%), and MU (3.7%). Sector allocation skews heavily to information technology (76%), followed by communication services (10%), consumer discretionary (9%), and industrials (6%). The expense ratio is 0.68%. AIQ rebalances periodically to maintain thematic purity, offering global scope via U.S.-listed ADRs while favoring large-cap leaders.

VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) Overview

The VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) is a passive index fund replicating the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index, targeting the 25 most liquid U.S.-exchange-listed semiconductor firms involved in production and equipment. It holds 25 stocks, prioritizing industry leaders by market cap and trading volume.

Top holdings feature NVDA (18.1%), TSM (10.6%), AVGO (7.8%), INTC (7.1%), and AMD (6.0%). Fully allocated to technology (100%), it includes foreign firms via ADRs. The expense ratio stands at 0.35%. SMH's methodology favors mega-caps, resulting in high concentration, with top 10 holdings comprising over 70% of assets.

iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) Overview

The iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) passively tracks the NYSE Semiconductor Index, comprising 30 U.S.-listed semiconductor equities across design, manufacturing, and distribution. It employs modified market-cap weighting to cap individual holdings.

Leading positions include AMD (8.0%), AVGO (8.0%), MU (7.6%), NVDA (6.9%), and INTC (6.3%). Sector exposure is 100% technology, strictly U.S.-listed. The expense ratio is 0.34%. SOXX rebalances quarterly, balancing mega- and mid-caps for reduced single-stock risk versus pure cap-weighting.

Industry and Thematic Landscape

The semiconductor sector powers AI expansion, with logic chips, high-bandwidth memory (HBM), and advanced packaging in high demand. Hyperscalers' capital expenditures exceed hundreds of billions annually for data centers, driving equipment sales toward record highs. Macro tailwinds include AI model training, inference workloads, and electrification, though supply constraints in HBM and packaging persist. Geopolitical tensions spur onshoring via CHIPS Act subsidies, while earnings growth in AI enablers outpaces broader tech. Risks encompass trade restrictions, power shortages, and cyclical downturns in non-AI end-markets like consumer electronics.

Performance and Positioning Comparison

In recent months, SOXX and SMH have outperformed AIQ, reflecting concentrated AI chip momentum, with YTD gains around 73% and 57% respectively versus AIQ's 23%. Over broader cycles, semiconductor ETFs exhibit higher volatility due to sector sensitivity to capex cycles and inventory swings, with SMH showing greater drawdowns from its top-heavy structure. AIQ's diversification tempers volatility but lags in bull phases. SMH amplifies upside via leaders like NVDA, while SOXX offers relative stability. Differences stem from AIQ's multi-sector tilt versus semis' purity, with all sensitive to AI infrastructure spending.

AI Screener

Tickeron’s AI Screener is an AI-powered stock and ETF discovery tool that helps traders and investors filter the market based on technical patterns, fundamentals, trends, volatility, and AI-driven signals. Users can scan thousands of stocks and ETFs using customizable filters such as industry, market capitalization, technical indicators, price patterns, and performance metrics. The screener identifies trade ideas, trending stocks, breakout candidates, and market opportunities more efficiently than manual screening. Explore it today to uncover hidden gems in the AI and semiconductor space.

Tickeron AI Verdict

Tickeron’s AI favors SOXX for its optimal balance of cost efficiency (0.34% expense ratio), diversification (30 holdings with caps), and risk-adjusted positioning amid AI tailwinds. While SMH offers momentum via leaders, its concentration elevates volatility; AIQ provides thematic breadth but higher costs and dilution. SOXX aligns best with stable, structural strength in semiconductors, with ~70% probability of relative outperformance over coming quarters based on recent cycles.

Disclaimer

The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.

Disclaimers and Limitations

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SUMMARIES
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FUNDAMENTALS
Fundamentals
SMH has more net assets: 71.7B vs. SOXX (40.5B) and AIQ (11.1B). SOXX has a higher annual dividend yield than SMH and AIQ: SOXX (79.347) vs SMH (58.190) and AIQ (22.926). AIQ was incepted earlier than SMH and SOXX: AIQ (8 years) vs SMH (14 years) and SOXX (25 years). SOXX (0.34) and SMH (0.35) has a lower expense ratio than AIQ (0.68). SOXX has a higher turnover AIQ (15.52) and SMH (12.00) vs AIQ (15.52) and SMH (12.00).
AIQSMHSOXX
Gain YTD22.92658.19079.347
Net Assets11.1B71.7B40.5B
Total Expense Ratio0.680.350.34
Turnover15.5212.0027.00
Yield0.140.180.29
Fund Existence8 years14 years25 years
TECHNICAL ANALYSIS
Technical Analysis
AIQSMHSOXX
RSI
ODDS (%)
Bearish Trend 2 days ago
85%
Bearish Trend 2 days ago
81%
Bearish Trend 2 days ago
83%
Stochastic
ODDS (%)
Bearish Trend 2 days ago
82%
Bearish Trend 2 days ago
83%
Bearish Trend 2 days ago
90%
Momentum
ODDS (%)
Bearish Trend 2 days ago
86%
N/A
N/A
MACD
ODDS (%)
Bearish Trend 2 days ago
89%
Bearish Trend 2 days ago
90%
Bearish Trend 2 days ago
90%
TrendWeek
ODDS (%)
Bearish Trend 2 days ago
82%
Bearish Trend 2 days ago
86%
Bearish Trend 2 days ago
87%
TrendMonth
ODDS (%)
Bullish Trend 2 days ago
88%
Bullish Trend 2 days ago
90%
Bullish Trend 2 days ago
90%
Advances
ODDS (%)
Bullish Trend 5 days ago
89%
Bullish Trend 4 days ago
90%
Bullish Trend 4 days ago
89%
Declines
ODDS (%)
Bearish Trend 2 days ago
82%
Bearish Trend 2 days ago
82%
Bearish Trend 2 days ago
85%
BollingerBands
ODDS (%)
Bearish Trend 2 days ago
86%
Bearish Trend 2 days ago
90%
Bearish Trend 2 days ago
80%
Aroon
ODDS (%)
Bullish Trend 2 days ago
88%
Bullish Trend 2 days ago
90%
Bullish Trend 2 days ago
90%
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AIQ
Daily Signal:
Gain/Loss:
SMH
Daily Signal:
Gain/Loss:
SOXX
Daily Signal:
Gain/Loss:
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SMH and

Correlation & Price change

A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, SMH has been closely correlated with LRCX. These tickers have moved in lockstep 85% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if SMH jumps, then LRCX could also see price increases.

1D
1W
1M
1Q
6M
1Y
5Y
Ticker /
NAME
Correlation
To SMH
1D Price
Change %
SMH100%
-9.22%
LRCX - SMH
85%
Closely correlated
-9.85%
KLAC - SMH
82%
Closely correlated
-9.47%
AMAT - SMH
82%
Closely correlated
-9.71%
TSM - SMH
80%
Closely correlated
-6.69%
ASML - SMH
79%
Closely correlated
-6.59%
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