MCHI vs. SOXX

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

MCHI (iShares MSCI China ETF) and SOXX (iShares Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - MCHI is a China Equities fund tracking the MSCI China Index, while SOXX is a Semiconductors fund tracking the NYSE Semiconductor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, MCHI returned 4.06%/yr vs 32.83%/yr for SOXX. Their 0.52 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. MCHI charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.34%/yr for SOXX.

Performance

MCHI vs. SOXX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI China ETF (MCHI) 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, MCHI achieves a -6.01% return, which is significantly lower than SOXX's 80.24% return. Over the past 10 years, MCHI has underperformed SOXX with an annualized return of 4.06%, while SOXX has yielded a comparatively higher 32.83% annualized return.

MCHI

• 1D: 0.34%
• 1M: 10.17%
• 6M: -7.55%
• YTD: -6.01%
• 1Y: -0.55%
• 3Y*: 8.08%
• 5Y*: -2.78%
• 10Y*: 4.06%
• ALL TIME*: 2.52%

SOXX

• 1D: 6.80%
• 1M: -4.26%
• 6M: 57.04%
• YTD: 80.24%
• 1Y: 126.60%
• 3Y*: 47.89%
• 5Y*: 29.31%
• 10Y*: 32.83%
• ALL TIME*: 14.15%

*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)
MCHI iShares MSCI China ETF	$131.82M	$143.06M	$173.02M
SOXX iShares Semiconductor ETF	$6.23B	$5.65B	$5.90B

MCHI vs. SOXX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MCHI iShares MSCI China ETF	-6.01%	31.04%	17.73%	-11.94%	-23.01%	-21.74%	27.78%	23.72%	-19.79%	54.67%
SOXX iShares Semiconductor ETF	80.24%	40.74%	12.92%	67.12%	-35.09%	44.09%	52.72%	62.42%	-6.49%	39.79%

Correlation

The correlation between MCHI and SOXX is 0.45, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.45
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.37
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.40
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.50
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 31, 2011	0.52

The correlation between MCHI and SOXX shifts across timeframes, from 0.37 (3 years) to 0.52 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

MCHI vs. SOXX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	MCHI	SOXX
Consumer Cyclical	22.4%	-
Communication Services	19.3%	-
Financial Services	19.2%	-
Technology	13.9%	100.0%
Industrials	5.4%	-
Healthcare	5.3%	-
Basic Materials	5.1%	-
Energy	3.4%	-
Consumer Defensive	2.9%	-
Utilities	1.6%	-
Real Estate	1.5%	-

Return for Risk

MCHI vs. SOXX — Risk / Return Rank

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

MCHI

MCHI Risk / Return Rank: 10
MCHI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
MCHI Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
MCHI Omega Ratio Rank: 10
MCHI Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
MCHI Martin Ratio Rank: 10

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: 93

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.

MCHI vs. SOXX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI China ETF (MCHI) 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.

	MCHI	SOXX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.03	2.84	-2.87
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.11	3.07	-2.97
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.01	1.42	-0.40
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.02	4.39	-4.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.05	17.88	-17.93

MCHI vs. SOXX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MCHI Sharpe Ratio is -0.03, which is lower than the SOXX Sharpe Ratio of 2.84. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MCHI 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

MCHI vs. SOXX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MCHI drawdown since its inception was -62.95%, smaller than the maximum SOXX drawdown of -70.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MCHI and SOXX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MCHI	SOXX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.95%	-70.21%	+7.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.22%	-29.01%	+5.79%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.35%	-41.36%	+16.01%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-51.41%	-45.75%	-5.66%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-62.95%	-45.75%	-17.20%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-35.91%	-17.22%	-18.69%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-24.68%	-19.92%	-4.76%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.34%	7.11%	+4.23%

Volatility

MCHI vs. SOXX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI China ETF (MCHI) is 5.01%, while iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) has a volatility of 18.28%. This indicates that MCHI 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

	MCHI	SOXX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.01%	18.28%	-13.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.41%	39.14%	-24.73%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.55%	44.78%	-24.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	30.40%	38.37%	-7.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.35%	34.61%	-7.26%

MCHI vs. SOXX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MCHI has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is higher than SOXX's 0.34% expense ratio.

Dividends

MCHI vs. SOXX - Dividend Comparison

MCHI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.95%, more than SOXX's 0.27% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MCHI iShares MSCI China ETF	1.95%	2.12%	2.31%	2.66%	1.78%	1.04%	1.04%	1.45%	1.60%	1.56%	1.66%	2.76%
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 MCHI and SOXX in my portfolio?

MCHI 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.

Which is riskier, MCHI or SOXX?

SOXX has higher volatility (18.28%) compared to MCHI (5.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MCHI dropped -62.95% vs SOXX's -70.21%.

Which ETF is better, MCHI or SOXX?

On 10-year performance, SOXX leads with 32.83% vs 4.06% for MCHI. On fees, SOXX is cheaper at 0.34% per year. On volatility, MCHI has been the lower-risk option at 5.01%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MCHI or SOXX?

Over the 10-year period, SOXX has performed better with a 32.83% return vs 4.06%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MCHI or SOXX?

SOXX is cheaper with a 0.34% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for MCHI.

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

MCHI has the higher dividend yield at 1.95%, compared with 0.27% for SOXX.

What is the main difference between MCHI and SOXX?

MCHI is categorized as China Equities, while SOXX is Semiconductors. MCHI tracks MSCI China Index, while SOXX tracks NYSE Semiconductor Index. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for MCHI and 0.34% for SOXX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SOXX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.84 vs -0.03), 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.