EWT vs. SOXX
EWT (iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF) and SOXX (iShares Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EWT is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the MSCI Taiwan 25/50 Index, while SOXX is a Semiconductors fund tracking the NYSE Semiconductor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EWT returned 20.37%/yr vs 36.04%/yr for SOXX. A 0.62 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EWT charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.34%/yr for SOXX.
Performance
EWT vs. SOXX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, EWT achieves a 64.84% return, which is significantly lower than SOXX's 99.95% return. Over the past 10 years, EWT has underperformed SOXX with an annualized return of 20.37%, while SOXX has yielded a comparatively higher 36.04% annualized return.
EWT
- 1D
- -0.49%
- 1M
- 8.14%
- YTD
- 64.84%
- 6M
- 67.47%
- 1Y
- 92.77%
- 3Y*
- 39.25%
- 5Y*
- 18.90%
- 10Y*
- 20.37%
SOXX
- 1D
- -0.31%
- 1M
- 12.00%
- YTD
- 99.95%
- 6M
- 96.69%
- 1Y
- 157.04%
- 3Y*
- 56.02%
- 5Y*
- 33.68%
- 10Y*
- 36.04%
EWT vs. SOXX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EWT iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF | 64.84% | 28.38% | 16.11% | 29.00% | -28.90% | 26.18% | 31.50% | 33.36% | -9.90% | 26.81% |
SOXX iShares Semiconductor ETF | 99.95% | 40.74% | 12.92% | 67.12% | -35.09% | 44.09% | 52.72% | 62.42% | -6.49% | 39.79% |
Correlation
The correlation between EWT and SOXX is 0.74, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.74 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.71 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.72 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.68 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 13, 2001 | 0.62 |
The correlation between EWT and SOXX shifts across timeframes, from 0.62 (all time) to 0.74 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
EWT vs. SOXX - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
EWT
SOXX
Technology
Financial Services
-
Industrials
-
Basic Materials
-
Communication Services
-
Consumer Cyclical
-
Consumer Defensive
-
Healthcare
-
Energy
-
-
Real Estate
-
-
Utilities
-
-
Technology
EWT
SOXX
Financial Services
EWT
SOXX
-
Industrials
EWT
SOXX
-
Basic Materials
EWT
SOXX
-
Communication Services
EWT
SOXX
-
Consumer Cyclical
EWT
SOXX
-
Consumer Defensive
EWT
SOXX
-
Healthcare
EWT
SOXX
-
Energy
EWT
-
SOXX
-
Real Estate
EWT
-
SOXX
-
Utilities
EWT
-
SOXX
-
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Return for Risk
EWT vs. SOXX — Risk / Return Rank
EWT
SOXX
EWT vs. SOXX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF (EWT) and iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX). 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.
| EWT | SOXX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.66 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.16 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.55 | 1.57 | -0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 8.87 | 10.02 | -1.15 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 25.89 | 35.78 | -9.89 |
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Drawdowns
EWT vs. SOXX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum EWT drawdown since its inception was -64.37%, smaller than the maximum SOXX drawdown of -70.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EWT and SOXX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| EWT | SOXX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -64.37% | -70.21% | +5.84% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -10.51% | -15.77% | +5.26% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -25.66% | -41.36% | +15.70% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -38.88% | -45.75% | +6.87% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -38.88% | -45.75% | +6.87% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -6.11% | -8.17% | +2.06% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -19.13% | -19.94% | +0.81% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.60% | 4.41% | -0.81% |
Volatility
EWT vs. SOXX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF (EWT) is 14.76%, while iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) has a volatility of 22.70%. This indicates that EWT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SOXX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| EWT | SOXX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 14.76% | 22.70% | -7.94% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 23.90% | 33.39% | -9.49% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 27.86% | 39.43% | -11.57% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 23.16% | 37.20% | -14.04% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.80% | 33.99% | -12.19% |
EWT vs. SOXX - Expense Ratio Comparison
EWT has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is higher than SOXX's 0.34% expense ratio.
Dividends
EWT vs. SOXX - Dividend Comparison
EWT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.69%, more than SOXX's 0.24% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EWT iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF | 2.69% | 4.43% | 3.32% | 12.01% | 18.82% | 0.55% | 1.83% | 2.49% | 3.16% | 2.81% | 2.39% | 3.12% |
SOXX iShares Semiconductor ETF | 0.24% | 0.57% | 0.67% | 0.78% | 1.26% | 0.64% | 0.81% | 1.23% | 1.37% | 0.90% | 1.08% | 1.29% |
Frequently Asked Questions
EWT and SOXX have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SOXX has higher volatility (22.70%) compared to EWT (14.76%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EWT dropped -64.37% vs SOXX's -70.21%.
On 10-year performance, SOXX leads with 36.04% vs 20.37% for EWT. On fees, SOXX is cheaper at 0.34% per year. On volatility, EWT has been the lower-risk option at 14.76%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, SOXX has performed better with a 36.04% return vs 20.37%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SOXX is cheaper with a 0.34% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for EWT.
EWT has the higher dividend yield at 2.69%, compared with 0.24% for SOXX.
EWT is categorized as Asia Pacific Equities, while SOXX is Semiconductors. EWT tracks MSCI Taiwan 25/50 Index, while SOXX tracks NYSE Semiconductor Index. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for EWT and 0.34% for SOXX.
SOXX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.02 vs 3.36), 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.
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