IYZ vs. SOXX
IYZ (iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF) and SOXX (iShares Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IYZ is a Communications Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Telecommunications Index, while SOXX is a Semiconductors fund tracking the NYSE Semiconductor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IYZ returned 6.28%/yr vs 35.79%/yr for SOXX. A 0.57 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IYZ charges 0.42%/yr vs 0.34%/yr for SOXX.
Performance
IYZ vs. SOXX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IYZ achieves a 32.03% return, which is significantly lower than SOXX's 104.57% return. Over the past 10 years, IYZ has underperformed SOXX with an annualized return of 6.28%, while SOXX has yielded a comparatively higher 35.79% annualized return.
IYZ
- 1D
- -2.96%
- 1M
- 4.94%
- YTD
- 32.03%
- 6M
- 38.73%
- 1Y
- 59.79%
- 3Y*
- 30.34%
- 5Y*
- 8.18%
- 10Y*
- 6.28%
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%
IYZ vs. SOXX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IYZ iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF | 32.03% | 29.28% | 20.53% | 3.90% | -30.29% | 11.69% | 4.13% | 16.14% | -8.59% | -11.86% |
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 IYZ and SOXX is 0.45, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.45 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.45 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.56 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.54 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 16, 2001 | 0.57 |
The correlation between IYZ and SOXX shifts across timeframes, from 0.45 (1 year) to 0.57 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
IYZ vs. SOXX — Risk / Return Rank
IYZ
SOXX
IYZ vs. SOXX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF (IYZ) 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.
| IYZ | SOXX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -2.26 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.91 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.58 | 1.74 | -0.16 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 9.54 | 12.13 | -2.59 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 32.08 | 46.43 | -14.35 |
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
| IYZ | SOXX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.35 | 5.61 | -2.26 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.44 | 0.96 | -0.52 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.33 | 1.07 | -0.75 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.07 | 0.45 | -0.37 |
Drawdowns
IYZ vs. SOXX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IYZ drawdown since its inception was -77.11%, which is greater than SOXX's maximum drawdown of -70.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IYZ and SOXX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IYZ | SOXX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -77.11% | -70.21% | -6.90% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -6.30% | -15.77% | +9.47% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -13.85% | -41.36% | +27.51% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -39.74% | -45.75% | +6.01% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -39.74% | -45.75% | +6.01% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.96% | 0.00% | -2.96% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -40.14% | -19.97% | -20.17% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.87% | 4.11% | -2.24% |
Volatility
IYZ vs. SOXX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF (IYZ) is 7.44%, while iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) has a volatility of 14.03%. This indicates that IYZ 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
| IYZ | SOXX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.44% | 14.03% | -6.59% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.76% | 27.35% | -12.59% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 17.95% | 34.18% | -16.23% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.75% | 36.11% | -17.36% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.25% | 33.43% | -14.18% |
IYZ vs. SOXX - Expense Ratio Comparison
IYZ has a 0.42% expense ratio, which is higher than SOXX's 0.34% expense ratio.
Dividends
IYZ vs. SOXX - Dividend Comparison
IYZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.50%, more than SOXX's 0.27% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IYZ iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF | 1.50% | 2.04% | 1.94% | 2.27% | 2.55% | 2.51% | 2.60% | 2.36% | 2.15% | 3.54% | 2.27% | 1.98% |
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
IYZ and SOXX have a correlation of 0.45, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SOXX has higher volatility (14.03%) compared to IYZ (7.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IYZ dropped -77.11% vs SOXX's -70.21%.
On 10-year performance, SOXX leads with 35.79% vs 6.28% for IYZ. On fees, SOXX is cheaper at 0.34% per year. On volatility, IYZ has been the lower-risk option at 7.44%. 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 35.79% return vs 6.28%. 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 0.42% for IYZ.
IYZ has the higher dividend yield at 1.50%, compared with 0.27% for SOXX.
IYZ is categorized as Communications Equities, while SOXX is Semiconductors. IYZ tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Telecommunications Index, while SOXX tracks NYSE Semiconductor Index. Their fees differ too: 0.42% for IYZ and 0.34% for SOXX.
SOXX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.61 vs 3.35), 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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