IYH vs. SOXX
IYH (iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF) and SOXX (iShares Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IYH is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Health Care Index, while SOXX is a Semiconductors fund tracking the NYSE Semiconductor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IYH returned 9.20%/yr vs 35.54%/yr for SOXX. A 0.51 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IYH charges 0.43%/yr vs 0.34%/yr for SOXX.
Performance
IYH vs. SOXX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IYH achieves a -1.42% return, which is significantly lower than SOXX's 100.26% return. Over the past 10 years, IYH has underperformed SOXX with an annualized return of 9.20%, while SOXX has yielded a comparatively higher 35.54% annualized return.
IYH
- 1D
- 2.89%
- 1M
- 4.56%
- YTD
- -1.42%
- 6M
- -1.04%
- 1Y
- 16.06%
- 3Y*
- 6.36%
- 5Y*
- 5.19%
- 10Y*
- 9.20%
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%
IYH vs. SOXX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IYH iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF | -1.42% | 13.16% | 2.99% | 2.14% | -4.46% | 23.41% | 15.56% | 20.80% | 5.80% | 22.27% |
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 IYH and SOXX is 0.16, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.16 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.25 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.37 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.44 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 16, 2001 | 0.51 |
Over the past year, the correlation between IYH and SOXX has dropped to 0.16 - well below their long-term average of 0.51, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
IYH vs. SOXX - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
IYH
SOXX
Healthcare
-
Basic Materials
-
-
Communication Services
-
-
Consumer Cyclical
-
-
Consumer Defensive
-
-
Energy
-
-
Financial Services
-
-
Industrials
-
-
Real Estate
-
-
Technology
-
Utilities
-
-
Healthcare
IYH
SOXX
-
Basic Materials
IYH
-
SOXX
-
Communication Services
IYH
-
SOXX
-
Consumer Cyclical
IYH
-
SOXX
-
Consumer Defensive
IYH
-
SOXX
-
Energy
IYH
-
SOXX
-
Financial Services
IYH
-
SOXX
-
Industrials
IYH
-
SOXX
-
Real Estate
IYH
-
SOXX
-
Technology
IYH
-
SOXX
Utilities
IYH
-
SOXX
-
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Return for Risk
IYH vs. SOXX — Risk / Return Rank
IYH
SOXX
IYH vs. SOXX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF (IYH) 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.
| IYH | SOXX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -4.22 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -3.45 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.19 | 1.71 | -0.52 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.52 | 11.48 | -9.96 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.64 | 43.90 | -40.25 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| IYH | SOXX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.07 | 5.29 | -4.22 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.35 | 0.94 | -0.60 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.55 | 1.07 | -0.52 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.43 | 0.44 | -0.01 |
Drawdowns
IYH vs. SOXX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IYH drawdown since its inception was -43.12%, smaller than the maximum SOXX drawdown of -70.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IYH and SOXX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IYH | SOXX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -43.12% | -70.21% | +27.09% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -10.64% | -15.77% | +5.13% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -17.91% | -41.36% | +23.45% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -17.91% | -45.75% | +27.84% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -28.40% | -45.75% | +17.35% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.68% | -2.10% | -2.58% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.96% | -19.97% | +11.01% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.42% | 4.11% | +0.31% |
Volatility
IYH vs. SOXX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF (IYH) is 5.06%, while iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) has a volatility of 14.08%. This indicates that IYH 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
| IYH | SOXX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.06% | 14.08% | -9.02% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.70% | 27.45% | -16.75% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.01% | 34.20% | -19.19% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.97% | 36.11% | -21.14% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.74% | 33.43% | -16.69% |
IYH vs. SOXX - Expense Ratio Comparison
IYH has a 0.43% expense ratio, which is higher than SOXX's 0.34% expense ratio.
Dividends
IYH vs. SOXX - Dividend Comparison
IYH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.26%, more than SOXX's 0.28% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IYH iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF | 1.26% | 1.19% | 1.25% | 1.18% | 1.10% | 0.94% | 1.16% | 1.14% | 1.95% | 1.10% | 1.29% | 2.02% |
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
IYH and SOXX have a correlation of 0.16, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SOXX has higher volatility (14.08%) compared to IYH (5.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IYH dropped -43.12% vs SOXX's -70.21%.
On 10-year performance, SOXX leads with 35.54% vs 9.20% for IYH. On fees, SOXX is cheaper at 0.34% per year. On volatility, IYH has been the lower-risk option at 5.06%. 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 35.54% return vs 9.20%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SOXX is cheaper with a 0.34% expense ratio, compared with 0.43% for IYH.
IYH has the higher dividend yield at 1.26%, compared with 0.28% for SOXX.
IYH is categorized as Health & Biotech Equities, while SOXX is Semiconductors. IYH tracks Dow Jones U.S. Health Care Index, while SOXX tracks NYSE Semiconductor Index. Their fees differ too: 0.43% for IYH and 0.34% for SOXX.
SOXX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.29 vs 1.07), 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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