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IBB vs. SOXX
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IBB vs. SOXX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

IBB (iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF) and SOXX (iShares Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IBB is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index, while SOXX is a Semiconductors fund tracking the NYSE Semiconductor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IBB returned 8.21%/yr vs 36.08%/yr for SOXX. A 0.56 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IBB charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.34%/yr for SOXX.

Performance

IBB vs. SOXX - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IBB achieves a 5.61% return, which is significantly lower than SOXX's 100.58% return. Over the past 10 years, IBB has underperformed SOXX with an annualized return of 8.21%, while SOXX has yielded a comparatively higher 36.08% annualized return.

IBB

1D
0.62%
1M
5.52%
YTD
5.61%
6M
3.57%
1Y
42.90%
3Y*
11.80%
5Y*
2.21%
10Y*
8.21%

SOXX

1D
-7.88%
1M
12.35%
YTD
100.58%
6M
98.07%
1Y
167.63%
3Y*
56.18%
5Y*
33.69%
10Y*
36.08%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IBB vs. SOXX - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IBB
iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF		5.61%27.98%-2.41%3.76%-13.69%0.95%26.01%25.42%-9.53%21.08%
SOXX
iShares Semiconductor ETF		100.58%40.74%12.92%67.12%-35.09%44.09%52.72%62.42%-6.49%39.79%

Correlation

The correlation between IBB and SOXX is 0.35, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

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

0.35

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

0.43

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

0.50

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

0.52

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 13, 2001

0.56

Over the past year, the correlation between IBB and SOXX has dropped to 0.35 - well below their long-term average of 0.56, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

IBB vs. SOXX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IBB
SOXX

Healthcare

100.0%

-

Basic Materials

-

-

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Energy

-

-

Financial Services

-

-

Industrials

-

-

Real Estate

-

-

Technology

-

100.0%

Utilities

-

-

Healthcare

IBB
100.0%
SOXX

-

Basic Materials

IBB

-

SOXX

-

Communication Services

IBB

-

SOXX

-

Consumer Cyclical

IBB

-

SOXX

-

Consumer Defensive

IBB

-

SOXX

-

Energy

IBB

-

SOXX

-

Financial Services

IBB

-

SOXX

-

Industrials

IBB

-

SOXX

-

Real Estate

IBB

-

SOXX

-

Technology

IBB

-

SOXX
100.0%

Utilities

IBB

-

SOXX

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF

iShares Semiconductor ETF

Often compared with IBB:
IBB vs. XBIIBB vs. ARKGIBB vs. XLVIBB vs. IBBQIBB vs. BBHIBB vs. SPYIBB vs. FBIOX
Often compared with SOXX:
SOXX vs. SMHSOXX vs. QQQSOXX vs. SOXLSOXX vs. SOXQSOXX vs. FSELXSOXX vs. VGTSOXX vs. VOO

Return for Risk

IBB vs. SOXX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IBB
IBB Risk / Return Rank: 7171
Overall Rank
IBB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6868
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IBB Sortino Ratio Rank: 6868
Sortino Ratio Rank
IBB Omega Ratio Rank: 6060
Omega Ratio Rank
IBB Calmar Ratio Rank: 8585
Calmar Ratio Rank
IBB Martin Ratio Rank: 7575
Martin Ratio Rank
SOXX
SOXX Risk / Return Rank: 9595
Overall Rank
SOXX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9797
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SOXX Sortino Ratio Rank: 9292
Sortino Ratio Rank
SOXX Omega Ratio Rank: 9292
Omega Ratio Rank
SOXX Calmar Ratio Rank: 9797
Calmar Ratio Rank
SOXX Martin Ratio Rank: 9797
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.

IBB vs. SOXX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBB) 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.

IBBSOXXDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.12
4.28

-2.16

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.96
4.15

-1.18

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.35

1.60

-0.25

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

4.47

10.70

-6.22

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

13.77

38.46

-24.69

IBB vs. SOXX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IBB Sharpe Ratio is 2.12, which is lower than the SOXX Sharpe Ratio of 4.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IBB 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.

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Drawdowns

IBB vs. SOXX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IBB drawdown since its inception was -62.85%, smaller than the maximum SOXX drawdown of -70.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IBB and SOXX.

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Drawdown Indicators

IBBSOXXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-62.85%

-70.21%

+7.36%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.63%

-15.77%

+6.14%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-24.85%

-41.36%

+16.51%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-39.82%

-45.75%

+5.93%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-39.82%

-45.75%

+5.93%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

0.00%

-7.88%

+7.88%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-21.14%

-19.94%

-1.20%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.12%

4.38%

-1.26%

Volatility

IBB vs. SOXX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBB) is 6.95%, while iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) has a volatility of 22.75%. This indicates that IBB 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

IBBSOXXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

6.95%

22.75%

-15.80%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

15.98%

33.44%

-17.46%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

20.34%

39.42%

-19.08%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

22.03%

37.21%

-15.18%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

23.17%

34.00%

-10.83%

IBB vs. SOXX - Expense Ratio Comparison

IBB has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is higher than SOXX's 0.34% expense ratio.

Dividends

IBB vs. SOXX - Dividend Comparison

IBB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.23%, less than SOXX's 0.24% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IBB
iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF		0.23%0.23%0.29%0.26%0.31%0.21%0.21%0.33%0.20%0.30%0.19%0.03%
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

IBB and SOXX have a correlation of 0.35, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

SOXX has higher volatility (22.75%) compared to IBB (6.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IBB dropped -62.85% vs SOXX's -70.21%.

On 10-year performance, SOXX leads with 36.08% vs 8.21% for IBB. On fees, SOXX is cheaper at 0.34% per year. On volatility, IBB has been the lower-risk option at 6.95%. 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 36.08% return vs 8.21%. 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 0.47% for IBB.

IBB and SOXX have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.23%.

IBB is categorized as Health & Biotech Equities, while SOXX is Semiconductors. IBB tracks NASDAQ Biotechnology Index, while SOXX tracks NYSE Semiconductor Index. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for IBB and 0.34% for SOXX.

SOXX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.28 vs 2.12), 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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