EWT vs. SOXX

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

EWT (iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF) and SOXX (iShares Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EWT is a Taiwan 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 17.92%/yr vs 31.96%/yr for SOXX. Their 0.63 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. EWT charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.34%/yr for SOXX.

Performance

EWT vs. SOXX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF (EWT) and iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EWT achieves a 54.23% return, which is significantly lower than SOXX's 68.76% return. Over the past 10 years, EWT has underperformed SOXX with an annualized return of 17.92%, while SOXX has yielded a comparatively higher 31.96% annualized return.

EWT

• 1D: 1.48%
• 1M: -6.56%
• 6M: 42.12%
• YTD: 54.23%
• 1Y: 75.51%
• 3Y*: 36.58%
• 5Y*: 16.78%
• 10Y*: 17.92%
• ALL TIME*: 7.06%

SOXX

• 1D: 0.55%
• 1M: -10.35%
• 6M: 44.10%
• YTD: 68.76%
• 1Y: 114.99%
• 3Y*: 44.68%
• 5Y*: 27.63%
• 10Y*: 31.96%
• ALL TIME*: 13.85%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
EWT iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF	$570.84M	$674.34M	$671.50M
SOXX iShares Semiconductor ETF	$6.22B	$5.65B	$5.89B

EWT vs. SOXX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EWT iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF	54.23%	28.38%	16.11%	29.00%	-28.90%	26.18%	31.50%	33.36%	-9.90%	26.81%
SOXX iShares Semiconductor ETF	68.76%	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 0.78, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.72
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.73
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.68
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 13, 2001	0.63

The correlation between EWT and SOXX shifts across timeframes, from 0.63 (all time) to 0.78 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

EWT vs. SOXX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EWT	SOXX
Technology	71.6%	100.0%
Financial Services	14.6%	-
Industrials	4.3%	-
Basic Materials	3.9%	-
Communication Services	1.8%	-
Healthcare	1.3%	-
Consumer Defensive	1.1%	-
Consumer Cyclical	0.4%	-
Energy	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

EWT vs. SOXX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

EWT

EWT Risk / Return Rank: 89
EWT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
EWT Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
EWT Omega Ratio Rank: 88
EWT Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
EWT Martin Ratio Rank: 91

SOXX

SOXX Risk / Return Rank: 90
SOXX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
SOXX Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
SOXX Omega Ratio Rank: 87
SOXX Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
SOXX Martin Ratio Rank: 92

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

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 ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.46	2.61	-0.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.94	2.89	+0.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.39	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.83	3.99	-0.16
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.47	16.43	-0.96

EWT vs. SOXX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EWT Sharpe Ratio is 2.46, which is comparable to the SOXX Sharpe Ratio of 2.61. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EWT and SOXX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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.

Drawdown Indicators

	EWT	SOXX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.37%	-70.21%	+5.84%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.83%	-29.01%	+9.18%
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 Drawdown Current decline from peak	-12.15%	-22.49%	+10.34%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.09%	-19.92%	+0.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.90%	7.02%	-2.12%

Volatility

EWT vs. SOXX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF (EWT) is 13.53%, while iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) has a volatility of 17.11%. 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.

Volatility by Period

	EWT	SOXX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.53%	17.11%	-3.58%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	27.44%	38.66%	-11.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	30.86%	44.40%	-13.54%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.96%	38.25%	-14.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.20%	34.55%	-12.35%

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 2.87%, more than SOXX's 0.29% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EWT iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF	2.87%	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	0.29%	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

Can I hold both EWT and SOXX in my portfolio?

EWT and SOXX have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EWT or SOXX?

SOXX has higher volatility (17.11%) compared to EWT (13.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EWT dropped -64.37% vs SOXX's -70.21%.

Which ETF is better, EWT or SOXX?

On 10-year performance, SOXX leads with 31.96% vs 17.92% for EWT. On fees, SOXX is cheaper at 0.34% per year. On volatility, EWT has been the lower-risk option at 13.53%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EWT or SOXX?

Over the 10-year period, SOXX has performed better with a 31.96% return vs 17.92%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EWT or SOXX?

SOXX is cheaper with a 0.34% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for EWT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EWT or SOXX?

EWT has the higher dividend yield at 2.87%, compared with 0.29% for SOXX.

What is the main difference between EWT and SOXX?

EWT is categorized as Taiwan 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.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SOXX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.61 vs 2.46), 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.