HDV vs. SOXX

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

HDV (iShares Core High Dividend ETF) and SOXX (iShares Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HDV is a Dividend fund tracking the Morningstar Dividend Yield Focus Index, while SOXX is a Semiconductors fund tracking the NYSE Semiconductor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, HDV returned 9.57%/yr vs 31.96%/yr for SOXX. Their 0.44 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. HDV charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.34%/yr for SOXX.

Performance

HDV vs. SOXX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core High Dividend ETF (HDV) 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, HDV achieves a 19.66% return, which is significantly lower than SOXX's 68.76% return. Over the past 10 years, HDV has underperformed SOXX with an annualized return of 9.57%, while SOXX has yielded a comparatively higher 31.96% annualized return.

HDV

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: 2.46%
• 6M: 10.00%
• YTD: 19.66%
• 1Y: 25.24%
• 3Y*: 15.80%
• 5Y*: 12.13%
• 10Y*: 9.57%
• ALL TIME*: 10.80%

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)
HDV iShares Core High Dividend ETF	$168.30M	$156.51M	$108.57M
SOXX iShares Semiconductor ETF	$6.22B	$5.65B	$5.89B

HDV vs. SOXX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
HDV iShares Core High Dividend ETF	19.66%	11.90%	14.16%	1.72%	7.05%	19.45%	-6.48%	20.22%	-3.01%	13.40%
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 HDV and SOXX is -0.16, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	-0.16
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.05
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.25
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.36
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 31, 2011	0.44

The correlation between HDV and SOXX shifts across timeframes, from -0.16 (1 year) to 0.44 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

HDV vs. SOXX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	HDV	SOXX
Consumer Defensive	24.3%	-
Healthcare	23.9%	-
Energy	19.8%	-
Consumer Cyclical	9.3%	-
Utilities	8.2%	-
Communication Services	5.2%	-
Financial Services	4.7%	-
Industrials	2.8%	-
Technology	0.9%	100.0%
Basic Materials	0.8%	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

HDV vs. SOXX — Risk / Return Rank

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

HDV

HDV Risk / Return Rank: 91
HDV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
HDV Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
HDV Omega Ratio Rank: 89
HDV Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
HDV Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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.

HDV vs. SOXX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core High Dividend ETF (HDV) 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.

	HDV	SOXX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.34	2.61	-0.27
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.53	2.89	+0.64
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.39	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.90	3.99	+0.91
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.39	16.43	-3.04

HDV vs. SOXX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HDV Sharpe Ratio is 2.34, which is comparable to the SOXX Sharpe Ratio of 2.61. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HDV 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

HDV vs. SOXX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HDV drawdown since its inception was -37.04%, smaller than the maximum SOXX drawdown of -70.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HDV and SOXX.

Drawdown Indicators

	HDV	SOXX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.04%	-70.21%	+33.17%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.18%	-29.01%	+23.83%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.49%	-41.36%	+30.87%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.42%	-45.75%	+30.33%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.04%	-45.75%	+8.71%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.72%	-22.49%	+20.77%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.06%	-19.92%	+16.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.89%	7.02%	-5.13%

Volatility

HDV vs. SOXX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Core High Dividend ETF (HDV) is 4.52%, while iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) has a volatility of 17.11%. This indicates that HDV 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

	HDV	SOXX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.52%	17.11%	-12.59%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.66%	38.66%	-30.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.83%	44.40%	-33.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.95%	38.25%	-25.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.79%	34.55%	-18.76%

HDV vs. SOXX - Expense Ratio Comparison

HDV has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than SOXX's 0.34% expense ratio.

Dividends

HDV vs. SOXX - Dividend Comparison

HDV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.08%, more than SOXX's 0.29% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HDV iShares Core High Dividend ETF	3.08%	3.22%	3.67%	3.82%	3.56%	3.47%	4.07%	3.27%	3.67%	3.27%	3.28%	3.92%
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 HDV and SOXX in my portfolio?

HDV and SOXX have a correlation of -0.16, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HDV or SOXX?

SOXX has higher volatility (17.11%) compared to HDV (4.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HDV dropped -37.04% vs SOXX's -70.21%.

Which ETF is better, HDV or SOXX?

On 10-year performance, SOXX leads with 31.96% vs 9.57% for HDV. On fees, HDV is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, HDV has been the lower-risk option at 4.52%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HDV or SOXX?

Over the 10-year period, SOXX has performed better with a 31.96% return vs 9.57%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HDV or SOXX?

HDV is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.34% for SOXX.

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

HDV has the higher dividend yield at 3.08%, compared with 0.29% for SOXX.

What is the main difference between HDV and SOXX?

HDV is categorized as Dividend, while SOXX is Semiconductors. HDV tracks Morningstar Dividend Yield Focus Index, while SOXX tracks NYSE Semiconductor Index. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for HDV and 0.34% for SOXX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SOXX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.61 vs 2.34), 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.