ILCG vs. SOXX

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

ILCG (iShares Morningstar Growth ETF) and SOXX (iShares Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ILCG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Morningstar US Large-Mid Cap Broad Growth Index Gross, while SOXX is a Semiconductors fund tracking the NYSE Semiconductor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ILCG returned 17.23%/yr vs 31.96%/yr for SOXX. Their 0.78 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. ILCG charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.34%/yr for SOXX.

Performance

ILCG vs. SOXX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Morningstar Growth ETF (ILCG) 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, ILCG achieves a 9.70% return, which is significantly lower than SOXX's 68.76% return. Over the past 10 years, ILCG has underperformed SOXX with an annualized return of 17.23%, while SOXX has yielded a comparatively higher 31.96% annualized return.

ILCG

• 1D: 1.92%
• 1M: -0.14%
• 6M: 8.78%
• YTD: 9.70%
• 1Y: 16.20%
• 3Y*: 23.09%
• 5Y*: 11.74%
• 10Y*: 17.23%
• ALL TIME*: 11.61%

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

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
ILCG iShares Morningstar Growth ETF	$5.71M	$6.91M	$9.84M
SOXX iShares Semiconductor ETF	$6.22B	$5.65B	$5.89B

ILCG vs. SOXX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ILCG iShares Morningstar Growth ETF	9.70%	16.71%	32.82%	40.41%	-31.75%	24.33%	38.56%	33.22%	2.06%	30.57%
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 ILCG and SOXX is 0.78, 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.	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.82
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 2, 2004	0.78

The correlation between ILCG and SOXX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

ILCG vs. SOXX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ILCG	SOXX
Technology	54.1%	100.0%
Industrials	10.9%	-
Communication Services	9.7%	-
Consumer Cyclical	9.2%	-
Healthcare	5.3%	-
Financial Services	4.7%	-
Consumer Defensive	1.6%	-
Real Estate	1.5%	-
Basic Materials	1.4%	-
Utilities	0.9%	-
Energy	0.7%	-

Return for Risk

ILCG vs. SOXX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

ILCG

ILCG Risk / Return Rank: 33
ILCG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
ILCG Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
ILCG Omega Ratio Rank: 33
ILCG Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
ILCG Martin Ratio Rank: 34

SOXX

SOXX Risk / Return Rank: 90
SOXX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
SOXX Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
SOXX Omega Ratio Rank: 87
SOXX Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
SOXX Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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.

ILCG vs. SOXX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Morningstar Growth ETF (ILCG) 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.

	ILCG	SOXX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.87	2.61	-1.74
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.28	2.89	-1.61
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.39	-0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.04	3.99	-2.95
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.30	16.43	-13.13

ILCG vs. SOXX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ILCG Sharpe Ratio is 0.87, which is lower than the SOXX Sharpe Ratio of 2.61. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ILCG 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.

Drawdowns

ILCG vs. SOXX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ILCG drawdown since its inception was -52.98%, smaller than the maximum SOXX drawdown of -70.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ILCG and SOXX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ILCG	SOXX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-52.98%	-70.21%	+17.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.65%	-29.01%	+13.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.10%	-41.36%	+18.26%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.38%	-45.75%	+10.37%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.38%	-45.75%	+10.37%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.15%	-22.49%	+17.34%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.20%	-19.92%	+11.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.92%	7.02%	-2.10%

Volatility

ILCG vs. SOXX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Morningstar Growth ETF (ILCG) is 6.33%, while iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) has a volatility of 17.11%. This indicates that ILCG 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

	ILCG	SOXX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.33%	17.11%	-10.78%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.61%	38.66%	-23.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.74%	44.40%	-25.66%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.39%	38.25%	-15.86%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.71%	34.55%	-12.84%

ILCG vs. SOXX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ILCG has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than SOXX's 0.34% expense ratio.

Dividends

ILCG vs. SOXX - Dividend Comparison

ILCG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.42%, more than SOXX's 0.29% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ILCG iShares Morningstar Growth ETF	0.42%	0.47%	0.50%	0.69%	0.75%	0.34%	0.28%	0.54%	0.81%	0.89%	0.95%	0.99%
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

Can I hold both ILCG and SOXX in my portfolio?

ILCG and SOXX have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ILCG or SOXX?

SOXX has higher volatility (17.11%) compared to ILCG (6.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ILCG dropped -52.98% vs SOXX's -70.21%.

Which ETF is better, ILCG or SOXX?

On 10-year performance, SOXX leads with 31.96% vs 17.23% for ILCG. On fees, ILCG is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, ILCG has been the lower-risk option at 6.33%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ILCG or SOXX?

Over the 10-year period, SOXX has performed better with a 31.96% return vs 17.23%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ILCG or SOXX?

ILCG is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.34% for SOXX.

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

ILCG has the higher dividend yield at 0.42%, compared with 0.29% for SOXX.

What is the main difference between ILCG and SOXX?

ILCG is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while SOXX is Semiconductors. ILCG tracks Morningstar US Large-Mid Cap Broad Growth Index Gross, while SOXX tracks NYSE Semiconductor Index. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for ILCG and 0.34% for SOXX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SOXX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.61 vs 0.87), 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.