IHE vs. SOXX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

IHE (iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF) and SOXX (iShares Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IHE is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Pharmaceuticals Index, while SOXX is a Semiconductors fund tracking the NYSE Semiconductor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IHE returned 7.97%/yr vs 35.54%/yr for SOXX. At a 0.49 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IHE charges 0.42%/yr vs 0.34%/yr for SOXX.

Performance

IHE vs. SOXX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF (IHE) 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, IHE achieves a 9.33% return, which is significantly lower than SOXX's 100.26% return. Over the past 10 years, IHE has underperformed SOXX with an annualized return of 7.97%, while SOXX has yielded a comparatively higher 35.54% annualized return.

IHE

• 1D: 2.69%
• 1M: 3.48%
• YTD: 9.33%
• 6M: 12.42%
• 1Y: 43.59%
• 3Y*: 18.33%
• 5Y*: 10.57%
• 10Y*: 7.97%

SOXX

• 1D: -2.10%
• 1M: 24.86%
• YTD: 100.26%
• 6M: 97.20%
• 1Y: 179.78%
• 3Y*: 57.09%
• 5Y*: 33.93%
• 10Y*: 35.54%

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

IHE vs. SOXX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IHE iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF	9.33%	31.69%	8.13%	1.06%	-4.87%	13.07%	13.66%	15.47%	-7.76%	10.64%
SOXX iShares Semiconductor ETF	100.26%	40.74%	12.92%	67.12%	-35.09%	44.09%	52.72%	62.42%	-6.49%	39.79%

Correlation

The correlation between IHE and SOXX is 0.19, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.19
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.23
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.31
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.39
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 8, 2006	0.49

Over the past year, the correlation between IHE and SOXX has dropped to 0.19 - well below their long-term average of 0.49, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

IHE vs. SOXX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

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

Return for Risk

IHE vs. SOXX — Risk / Return Rank

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

IHE

IHE Risk / Return Rank: 81
IHE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
IHE Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
IHE Omega Ratio Rank: 73
IHE Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
IHE Martin Ratio Rank: 80

SOXX

SOXX Risk / Return Rank: 96
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.

IHE vs. SOXX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF (IHE) 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.

	IHE	SOXX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.54	5.29	-2.76
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.67	5.16	-1.49
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.71	-0.28
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.17	11.48	-6.31
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.58	43.90	-28.32
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IHE vs. SOXX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IHE Sharpe Ratio is 2.54, which is lower than the SOXX Sharpe Ratio of 5.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IHE 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

	IHE	SOXX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.54	5.29	-2.76
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65	0.94	-0.29
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.44	1.07	-0.62
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.51	0.44	+0.07

Drawdowns

IHE vs. SOXX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IHE drawdown since its inception was -38.20%, smaller than the maximum SOXX drawdown of -70.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IHE and SOXX.

Drawdown Indicators

	IHE	SOXX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.20%	-70.21%	+32.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.47%	-15.77%	+7.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.92%	-41.36%	+25.44%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.03%	-45.75%	+29.72%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-29.59%	-45.75%	+16.16%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.18%	-2.10%	+1.92%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.92%	-19.97%	+12.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.81%	4.11%	-1.30%

Volatility

IHE vs. SOXX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF (IHE) is 6.04%, while iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) has a volatility of 14.08%. This indicates that IHE 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

	IHE	SOXX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.04%	14.08%	-8.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.70%	27.45%	-14.75%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.26%	34.20%	-16.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.28%	36.11%	-19.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.07%	33.43%	-15.36%

IHE vs. SOXX - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

IHE vs. SOXX - Dividend Comparison

IHE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.61%, more than SOXX's 0.28% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IHE iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF	1.61%	1.76%	1.73%	1.39%	2.01%	1.49%	1.19%	1.40%	1.25%	1.36%	0.92%	1.93%
SOXX iShares Semiconductor ETF	0.28%	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 IHE and SOXX in my portfolio?

IHE and SOXX have a correlation of 0.19, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IHE or SOXX?

SOXX has higher volatility (14.08%) compared to IHE (6.04%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IHE dropped -38.20% vs SOXX's -70.21%.

Which ETF is better, IHE or SOXX?

On 10-year performance, SOXX leads with 35.54% vs 7.97% for IHE. On fees, SOXX is cheaper at 0.34% per year. On volatility, IHE has been the lower-risk option at 6.04%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IHE or SOXX?

Over the 10-year period, SOXX has performed better with a 35.54% return vs 7.97%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IHE or SOXX?

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

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

IHE has the higher dividend yield at 1.61%, compared with 0.28% for SOXX.

What is the main difference between IHE and SOXX?

IHE is categorized as Health & Biotech Equities, while SOXX is Semiconductors. IHE tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Pharmaceuticals Index, while SOXX tracks NYSE Semiconductor Index. Their fees differ too: 0.42% for IHE and 0.34% for SOXX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SOXX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.29 vs 2.54), 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.