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^NDX vs. ^SOX
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility

Performance

^NDX vs. ^SOX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in NASDAQ 100 Index (^NDX) and PHLX Semiconductor Index (^SOX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ^NDX achieves a 20.42% return, which is significantly lower than ^SOX's 102.48% return. Over the past 10 years, ^NDX has underperformed ^SOX with an annualized return of 21.32%, while ^SOX has yielded a comparatively higher 35.31% annualized return.


^NDX

1D
2.48%
1M
5.51%
YTD
20.42%
6M
21.53%
1Y
39.99%
3Y*
26.32%
5Y*
16.70%
10Y*
21.32%

^SOX

1D
6.42%
1M
26.86%
YTD
102.48%
6M
108.95%
1Y
173.12%
3Y*
57.47%
5Y*
35.39%
10Y*
35.31%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

^NDX vs. ^SOX - Yearly Performance Comparison


2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
^NDX
NASDAQ 100 Index
20.42%20.17%24.88%53.81%-32.97%26.63%47.58%37.96%-1.04%31.52%
^SOX
PHLX Semiconductor Index
102.48%42.23%19.27%64.90%-35.83%41.16%51.14%60.12%-7.81%38.23%

Correlation

The correlation between ^NDX and ^SOX is 0.82, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.


Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.82

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.85

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.87

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.84

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since May 4, 1994

0.83

The correlation between ^NDX and ^SOX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

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Return for Risk

^NDX vs. ^SOX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

^NDX
^NDX Risk / Return Rank: 8282
Overall Rank
^NDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8181
Sharpe Ratio Rank
^NDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 8282
Sortino Ratio Rank
^NDX Omega Ratio Rank: 8383
Omega Ratio Rank
^NDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 8282
Calmar Ratio Rank
^NDX Martin Ratio Rank: 8282
Martin Ratio Rank

^SOX
^SOX Risk / Return Rank: 9898
Overall Rank
^SOX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9898
Sharpe Ratio Rank
^SOX Sortino Ratio Rank: 9696
Sortino Ratio Rank
^SOX Omega Ratio Rank: 9696
Omega Ratio Rank
^SOX Calmar Ratio Rank: 100100
Calmar Ratio Rank
^SOX Martin Ratio Rank: 100100
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

^NDX vs. ^SOX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for NASDAQ 100 Index (^NDX) and PHLX Semiconductor Index (^SOX). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.


^NDX^SOXDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility

-2.31

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk

-1.46

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.39

1.63

-0.23

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.31

11.13

-7.82

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

12.29

40.23

-27.94

^NDX vs. ^SOX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ^NDX Sharpe Ratio is 2.27, which is lower than the ^SOX Sharpe Ratio of 4.58. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ^NDX and ^SOX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.


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Drawdowns

^NDX vs. ^SOX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ^NDX drawdown since its inception was -82.90%, roughly equal to the maximum ^SOX drawdown of -87.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ^NDX and ^SOX.


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Drawdown Indicators


^NDX^SOXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-82.90%

-87.15%

+4.25%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-12.12%

-15.65%

+3.53%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-22.93%

-39.66%

+16.73%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-35.56%

-46.47%

+10.91%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-35.56%

-46.47%

+10.91%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.83%

0.00%

-0.83%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-24.60%

-39.43%

+14.83%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.26%

4.32%

-1.06%

Volatility

^NDX vs. ^SOX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for NASDAQ 100 Index (^NDX) is 8.49%, while PHLX Semiconductor Index (^SOX) has a volatility of 20.42%. This indicates that ^NDX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ^SOX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.


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Volatility by Period


^NDX^SOXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

8.49%

20.42%

-11.93%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

14.35%

31.79%

-17.44%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

17.71%

38.05%

-20.34%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

22.84%

37.27%

-14.43%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

22.65%

34.35%

-11.70%

Frequently Asked Questions


^NDX and ^SOX have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

^SOX has higher volatility (20.42%) compared to ^NDX (8.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ^NDX dropped -82.90% vs ^SOX's -87.15%.

^SOX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.58 vs 2.27), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for ^NDX and ^SOX

Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.

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