HEWJ vs. SOXX

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF (HEWJ) and iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX).

HEWJ and SOXX are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. HEWJ is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the MSCI Japan 100% Hedged to USD Index. It was launched on Jan 31, 2014. SOXX is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the PHLX Semiconductor Sector Index. It was launched on Jul 10, 2001. Both HEWJ and SOXX are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

HEWJ vs. SOXX - Performance Comparison

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

HEWJ vs. SOXX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
HEWJ iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF	9.72%	30.25%	24.80%	36.21%	-4.39%	12.79%	10.29%	20.79%	-14.68%	21.47%
SOXX iShares Semiconductor ETF	12.48%	40.74%	12.92%	67.12%	-35.09%	44.09%	52.72%	62.42%	-6.49%	39.79%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HEWJ achieves a 9.72% return, which is significantly lower than SOXX's 12.48% return. Over the past 10 years, HEWJ has underperformed SOXX with an annualized return of 15.43%, while SOXX has yielded a comparatively higher 28.39% annualized return.

HEWJ

• 1D: 2.74%
• 1M: -2.87%
• YTD: 9.72%
• 6M: 23.14%
• 1Y: 46.23%
• 3Y*: 30.07%
• 5Y*: 19.05%
• 10Y*: 15.43%

SOXX

• 1D: 3.01%
• 1M: -3.78%
• YTD: 12.48%
• 6M: 22.76%
• 1Y: 80.97%
• 3Y*: 32.61%
• 5Y*: 19.19%
• 10Y*: 28.39%

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

HEWJ vs. SOXX - Expense Ratio Comparison

HEWJ has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than SOXX's 0.34% expense ratio.

HEWJ

iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF

SOXX

iShares Semiconductor ETF

Return for Risk

HEWJ vs. SOXX — Risk / Return Rank

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

HEWJ

HEWJ Risk / Return Rank: 91
HEWJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
HEWJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
HEWJ Omega Ratio Rank: 89
HEWJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
HEWJ Martin Ratio Rank: 93

SOXX

SOXX Risk / Return Rank: 92
SOXX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
SOXX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
SOXX Omega Ratio Rank: 89
SOXX Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
SOXX Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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.

HEWJ vs. SOXX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF (HEWJ) 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.

	HEWJ	SOXX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.94	2.03	-0.09
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.63	2.63	0.00
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.38	+0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.77	4.44	-0.66
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	14.33	16.46	-2.13
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HEWJ vs. SOXX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HEWJ Sharpe Ratio is 1.94, which is comparable to the SOXX Sharpe Ratio of 2.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HEWJ and SOXX, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	HEWJ	SOXX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.94	2.03	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.01	0.54	+0.46
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.77	0.86	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.66	0.37	+0.29

Correlation

The correlation between HEWJ and SOXX is 0.55, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

HEWJ vs. SOXX - Dividend Comparison

HEWJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.65%, more than SOXX's 0.49% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HEWJ iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF	4.65%	5.10%	2.20%	2.02%	47.68%	2.03%	1.20%	2.78%	1.37%	1.21%	1.88%	3.25%
SOXX iShares Semiconductor ETF	0.49%	0.57%	0.67%	0.78%	1.26%	0.64%	0.81%	1.23%	1.37%	0.90%	1.08%	1.29%

Drawdowns

HEWJ vs. SOXX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HEWJ drawdown since its inception was -31.53%, smaller than the maximum SOXX drawdown of -70.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HEWJ and SOXX.

Drawdown Indicators

	HEWJ	SOXX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.53%	-70.21%	+38.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.99%	-18.27%	+6.28%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.90%	-45.75%	+24.85%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-31.53%	-45.75%	+14.22%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.49%	-7.95%	+3.46%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.68%	-20.10%	+13.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.16%	4.92%	-1.76%

Volatility

HEWJ vs. SOXX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF (HEWJ) is 7.97%, while iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) has a volatility of 12.83%. This indicates that HEWJ 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

	HEWJ	SOXX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.97%	12.83%	-4.86%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.91%	26.41%	-11.50%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.99%	40.12%	-16.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.02%	35.48%	-16.46%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.00%	32.98%	-12.98%