IEO vs. SOXX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IEO (iShares U.S. Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF) and SOXX (iShares Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IEO is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Oil Exploration & Production Index, while SOXX is a Semiconductors fund tracking the NYSE Semiconductor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IEO returned 10.42%/yr vs 35.79%/yr for SOXX. At a 0.43 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IEO charges 0.42%/yr vs 0.34%/yr for SOXX.

Performance

IEO vs. SOXX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares U.S. Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (IEO) 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, IEO achieves a 34.59% return, which is significantly lower than SOXX's 104.57% return. Over the past 10 years, IEO has underperformed SOXX with an annualized return of 10.42%, while SOXX has yielded a comparatively higher 35.79% annualized return.

IEO

• 1D: 1.66%
• 1M: -3.23%
• YTD: 34.59%
• 6M: 26.42%
• 1Y: 40.11%
• 3Y*: 16.01%
• 5Y*: 18.96%
• 10Y*: 10.42%

SOXX

• 1D: 1.76%
• 1M: 33.25%
• YTD: 104.57%
• 6M: 99.43%
• 1Y: 190.05%
• 3Y*: 57.39%
• 5Y*: 34.50%
• 10Y*: 35.79%

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

IEO vs. SOXX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IEO iShares U.S. Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF	34.59%	2.15%	-1.45%	3.57%	57.82%	75.57%	-32.77%	9.63%	-19.44%	0.33%
SOXX iShares Semiconductor ETF	104.57%	40.74%	12.92%	67.12%	-35.09%	44.09%	52.72%	62.42%	-6.49%	39.79%

Correlation

The correlation between IEO and SOXX is -0.01, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.01
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.13
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.24
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.31
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 8, 2006	0.43

The correlation between IEO and SOXX shifts across timeframes, from -0.01 (1 year) to 0.43 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IEO vs. SOXX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IEO	SOXX
Energy	99.3%	-
Basic Materials	0.7%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	100.0%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

IEO vs. SOXX — Risk / Return Rank

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

IEO

IEO Risk / Return Rank: 45
IEO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
IEO Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
IEO Omega Ratio Rank: 40
IEO Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
IEO Martin Ratio Rank: 45

SOXX

SOXX Risk / Return Rank: 97
SOXX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
SOXX Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
SOXX Omega Ratio Rank: 95
SOXX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
SOXX Martin Ratio Rank: 97

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.

IEO vs. SOXX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (IEO) 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.

	IEO	SOXX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.61	5.61	-4.00
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.12	5.36	-3.24
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.74	-0.48
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.82	12.13	-9.31
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.63	46.43	-38.81
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IEO vs. SOXX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IEO Sharpe Ratio is 1.61, which is lower than the SOXX Sharpe Ratio of 5.61. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IEO 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	IEO	SOXX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.61	5.61	-4.00
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.62	0.96	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.30	1.07	-0.78
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.17	0.45	-0.28

Drawdowns

IEO vs. SOXX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IEO drawdown since its inception was -79.17%, which is greater than SOXX's maximum drawdown of -70.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IEO and SOXX.

Drawdown Indicators

	IEO	SOXX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-79.17%	-70.21%	-8.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.30%	-15.77%	+1.47%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-31.46%	-41.36%	+9.90%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.46%	-45.75%	+14.29%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-75.00%	-45.75%	-29.25%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.30%	0.00%	-7.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-26.27%	-19.97%	-6.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.28%	4.11%	+1.17%

Volatility

IEO vs. SOXX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares U.S. Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (IEO) is 9.32%, while iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) has a volatility of 14.03%. This indicates that IEO 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

	IEO	SOXX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.32%	14.03%	-4.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.86%	27.35%	-7.49%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.15%	34.18%	-9.03%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	30.54%	36.11%	-5.57%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	35.00%	33.43%	+1.57%

IEO vs. SOXX - Expense Ratio Comparison

IEO has a 0.42% expense ratio, which is higher than SOXX's 0.34% expense ratio.

Dividends

IEO vs. SOXX - Dividend Comparison

IEO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.97%, more than SOXX's 0.27% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IEO iShares U.S. Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF	1.97%	2.61%	2.63%	3.00%	3.77%	2.62%	3.17%	1.85%	1.67%	0.94%	0.98%	2.03%
SOXX iShares Semiconductor ETF	0.27%	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 IEO and SOXX in my portfolio?

IEO and SOXX have a correlation of -0.01, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IEO or SOXX?

SOXX has higher volatility (14.03%) compared to IEO (9.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IEO dropped -79.17% vs SOXX's -70.21%.

Which ETF is better, IEO or SOXX?

On 10-year performance, SOXX leads with 35.79% vs 10.42% for IEO. On fees, SOXX is cheaper at 0.34% per year. On volatility, IEO has been the lower-risk option at 9.32%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IEO or SOXX?

Over the 10-year period, SOXX has performed better with a 35.79% return vs 10.42%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IEO or SOXX?

SOXX is cheaper with a 0.34% expense ratio, compared with 0.42% for IEO.

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

IEO has the higher dividend yield at 1.97%, compared with 0.27% for SOXX.

What is the main difference between IEO and SOXX?

IEO is categorized as Energy Equities, while SOXX is Semiconductors. IEO tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Oil Exploration & Production Index, while SOXX tracks NYSE Semiconductor Index. Their fees differ too: 0.42% for IEO and 0.34% for SOXX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SOXX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.61 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.