IEZ vs. SOXX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IEZ (iShares U.S. Oil Equipment & Services ETF) and SOXX (iShares Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IEZ is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Oil Equipment & Services Index, while SOXX is a Semiconductors fund tracking the NYSE Semiconductor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IEZ returned -0.13%/yr vs 35.79%/yr for SOXX. At a 0.45 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IEZ charges 0.42%/yr vs 0.34%/yr for SOXX.

Performance

IEZ vs. SOXX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares U.S. Oil Equipment & Services ETF (IEZ) 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, IEZ achieves a 47.84% return, which is significantly lower than SOXX's 104.57% return. Over the past 10 years, IEZ has underperformed SOXX with an annualized return of -0.13%, while SOXX has yielded a comparatively higher 35.79% annualized return.

IEZ

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: -3.54%
• YTD: 47.84%
• 6M: 42.02%
• 1Y: 85.10%
• 3Y*: 19.17%
• 5Y*: 13.91%
• 10Y*: -0.13%

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)

IEZ vs. SOXX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IEZ iShares U.S. Oil Equipment & Services ETF	47.84%	7.51%	-8.15%	4.43%	65.73%	15.98%	-42.98%	1.82%	-42.47%	-18.18%
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 IEZ and SOXX is 0.27, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.27
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.31
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.35
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 8, 2006	0.45

The correlation between IEZ and SOXX shifts across timeframes, from 0.27 (1 year) to 0.45 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IEZ vs. SOXX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IEZ	SOXX
Energy	98.8%	-
Utilities	1.0%	-
Industrials	0.6%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	100.0%

Return for Risk

IEZ vs. SOXX — Risk / Return Rank

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

IEZ

IEZ Risk / Return Rank: 87
IEZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
IEZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
IEZ Omega Ratio Rank: 77
IEZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
IEZ Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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.

IEZ vs. SOXX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Oil Equipment & Services ETF (IEZ) 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.

	IEZ	SOXX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.00	5.61	-2.61
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.71	5.36	-1.64
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.74	-0.28
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	8.29	12.13	-3.84
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	22.60	46.43	-23.83
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IEZ vs. SOXX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IEZ Sharpe Ratio is 3.00, which is lower than the SOXX Sharpe Ratio of 5.61. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IEZ 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

	IEZ	SOXX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.00	5.61	-2.61
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.38	0.96	-0.58
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.00	1.07	-1.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.04	0.45	-0.48

Drawdowns

IEZ vs. SOXX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IEZ drawdown since its inception was -92.52%, which is greater than SOXX's maximum drawdown of -70.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IEZ and SOXX.

Drawdown Indicators

	IEZ	SOXX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-92.52%	-70.21%	-22.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.32%	-15.77%	+5.45%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-40.25%	-41.36%	+1.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.25%	-45.75%	+5.50%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-88.29%	-45.75%	-42.54%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-51.21%	0.00%	-51.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-48.26%	-19.97%	-28.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.78%	4.11%	-0.33%

Volatility

IEZ vs. SOXX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares U.S. Oil Equipment & Services ETF (IEZ) is 7.95%, while iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) has a volatility of 14.03%. This indicates that IEZ 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

	IEZ	SOXX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.95%	14.03%	-6.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.11%	27.35%	-7.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.62%	34.18%	-5.56%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.35%	36.11%	+0.24%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	41.56%	33.43%	+8.13%

IEZ vs. SOXX - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

IEZ vs. SOXX - Dividend Comparison

IEZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.18%, more than SOXX's 0.27% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IEZ iShares U.S. Oil Equipment & Services ETF	1.18%	1.87%	1.76%	0.97%	0.65%	1.20%	2.07%	2.28%	1.81%	3.42%	0.91%	2.40%
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 IEZ and SOXX in my portfolio?

IEZ and SOXX have a correlation of 0.27, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IEZ or SOXX?

SOXX has higher volatility (14.03%) compared to IEZ (7.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IEZ dropped -92.52% vs SOXX's -70.21%.

Which ETF is better, IEZ or SOXX?

On 10-year performance, SOXX leads with 35.79% vs -0.13% for IEZ. On fees, SOXX is cheaper at 0.34% per year. On volatility, IEZ has been the lower-risk option at 7.95%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IEZ or SOXX?

Over the 10-year period, SOXX has performed better with a 35.79% return vs -0.13%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IEZ or SOXX?

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

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

IEZ has the higher dividend yield at 1.18%, compared with 0.27% for SOXX.

What is the main difference between IEZ and SOXX?

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SOXX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.61 vs 3.00), 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.