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IEFA vs. SOXX
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IEFA vs. SOXX

Last updated Aug 4, 2026
Documentation

IEFA (iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF) and SOXX (iShares Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IEFA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE IMI Index (Net), while SOXX is a Semiconductors fund tracking the NYSE Semiconductor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IEFA returned 9.52%/yr vs 31.96%/yr for SOXX. Their 0.63 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. IEFA charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.34%/yr for SOXX.

Performance

IEFA vs. SOXX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) 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, IEFA achieves a 12.10% return, which is significantly lower than SOXX's 68.76% return. Over the past 10 years, IEFA has underperformed SOXX with an annualized return of 9.52%, while SOXX has yielded a comparatively higher 31.96% annualized return.

IEFA

1D
0.43%
1M
1.41%
6M
6.08%
YTD
12.10%
1Y
25.11%
3Y*
17.33%
5Y*
8.81%
10Y*
9.52%
ALL TIME*
8.55%

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

PositionAvg. Volume Value (2W)Avg. Volume Value (1M)Avg. Volume Value (3M)

IEFA

iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF
$866.09M$876.15M$940.56M

SOXX

iShares Semiconductor ETF
$6.22B$5.65B$5.89B

IEFA vs. SOXX - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IEFA
iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF		12.10%32.08%3.26%17.95%-15.24%11.63%8.18%22.64%-14.14%26.57%
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 IEFA and SOXX is 0.59, 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.

0.59

Correlation (3Y)
Balances recent behavior with more history.

0.56

Correlation (5Y)
Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.

0.63

Correlation (10Y)
Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.

0.62

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 24, 2012

0.63

The correlation between IEFA and SOXX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.56 to 0.63 - a consistent structural relationship.

IEFA vs. SOXX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IEFA
SOXX

Financial Services

23.1%

-

Industrials

19.7%

-

Technology

12.6%
100.0%

Healthcare

9.8%

-

Consumer Cyclical

8.1%

-

Consumer Defensive

6.5%

-

Basic Materials

6.3%

-

Communication Services

4.3%

-

Utilities

3.5%

-

Energy

3.3%

-

Real Estate

2.8%

-

Financial Services

IEFA
23.1%
SOXX

-

Industrials

IEFA
19.7%
SOXX

-

Technology

IEFA
12.6%
SOXX
100.0%

Healthcare

IEFA
9.8%
SOXX

-

Consumer Cyclical

IEFA
8.1%
SOXX

-

Consumer Defensive

IEFA
6.5%
SOXX

-

Basic Materials

IEFA
6.3%
SOXX

-

Communication Services

IEFA
4.3%
SOXX

-

Utilities

IEFA
3.5%
SOXX

-

Energy

IEFA
3.3%
SOXX

-

Real Estate

IEFA
2.8%
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 Core MSCI EAFE ETF

iShares Semiconductor ETF

Often compared with IEFA:
IEFA vs. VEAIEFA vs. VXUSIEFA vs. EFAIEFA vs. FSPSXIEFA vs. IEMGIEFA vs. XEF.TOIEFA vs. IXUS
Often compared with SOXX:
SOXX vs. SMHSOXX vs. QQQSOXX vs. SOXLSOXX vs. SOXQSOXX vs. FSELXSOXX vs. VGTSOXX vs. VOO

Return for Risk

IEFA vs. SOXX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.
IEFA
IEFA Risk / Return Rank: 6767
Overall Rank
IEFA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6969
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IEFA Sortino Ratio Rank: 7070
Sortino Ratio Rank
IEFA Omega Ratio Rank: 6868
Omega Ratio Rank
IEFA Calmar Ratio Rank: 6161
Calmar Ratio Rank
IEFA Martin Ratio Rank: 6868
Martin Ratio Rank
SOXX
SOXX Risk / Return Rank: 9090
Overall Rank
SOXX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9494
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SOXX Sortino Ratio Rank: 8585
Sortino Ratio Rank
SOXX Omega Ratio Rank: 8787
Omega Ratio Rank
SOXX Calmar Ratio Rank: 9191
Calmar Ratio Rank
SOXX Martin Ratio Rank: 9292
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

IEFA vs. SOXX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) 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.

IEFASOXXDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.61
2.61

-1.00

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.30
2.89

-0.58

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.29

1.39

-0.10

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.19

3.99

-1.79

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

8.42

16.43

-8.01

IEFA vs. SOXX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IEFA Sharpe Ratio is 1.61, which is lower than the SOXX Sharpe Ratio of 2.61. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IEFA 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

IEFA vs. SOXX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IEFA drawdown since its inception was -34.78%, smaller than the maximum SOXX drawdown of -70.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IEFA and SOXX.

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Drawdown Indicators

IEFASOXXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-34.78%

-70.21%

+35.43%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.50%

-29.01%

+17.51%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-13.76%

-41.36%

+27.60%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-30.41%

-45.75%

+15.34%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-34.78%

-45.75%

+10.97%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.21%

-22.49%

+22.28%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-6.63%

-19.92%

+13.29%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.99%

7.02%

-4.03%

Volatility

IEFA vs. SOXX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) is 4.60%, while iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) has a volatility of 17.11%. This indicates that IEFA 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

IEFASOXXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.60%

17.11%

-12.51%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

13.60%

38.66%

-25.06%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

15.68%

44.40%

-28.72%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

16.64%

38.25%

-21.61%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

17.04%

34.55%

-17.51%

IEFA vs. SOXX - Expense Ratio Comparison

IEFA has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than SOXX's 0.34% expense ratio.

Dividends

IEFA vs. SOXX - Dividend Comparison

IEFA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.33%, more than SOXX's 0.29% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IEFA
iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF		3.33%3.55%3.47%3.20%2.70%3.32%1.90%3.18%3.46%2.57%2.96%2.63%
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

IEFA and SOXX have a correlation of 0.59, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

SOXX has higher volatility (17.11%) compared to IEFA (4.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IEFA dropped -34.78% vs SOXX's -70.21%.

On 10-year performance, SOXX leads with 31.96% vs 9.52% for IEFA. On fees, IEFA is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, IEFA has been the lower-risk option at 4.60%. 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 31.96% return vs 9.52%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IEFA is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.34% for SOXX.

IEFA has the higher dividend yield at 3.33%, compared with 0.29% for SOXX.

IEFA is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while SOXX is Semiconductors. IEFA tracks MSCI EAFE IMI Index (Net), while SOXX tracks NYSE Semiconductor Index. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for IEFA and 0.34% for SOXX.

SOXX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.61 vs 1.61), 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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