QLTA vs. SOXX
QLTA (iShares Aaa - A Rated Corporate Bond ETF) and SOXX (iShares Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QLTA is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate Aaa - A Capped Index, while SOXX is a Semiconductors fund tracking the NYSE Semiconductor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QLTA returned 2.00%/yr vs 35.79%/yr for SOXX. At a 0.03 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. QLTA charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.34%/yr for SOXX.
Performance
QLTA vs. SOXX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, QLTA achieves a 0.31% return, which is significantly lower than SOXX's 104.57% return. Over the past 10 years, QLTA has underperformed SOXX with an annualized return of 2.00%, while SOXX has yielded a comparatively higher 35.79% annualized return.
QLTA
- 1D
- -0.19%
- 1M
- 0.50%
- YTD
- 0.31%
- 6M
- 0.04%
- 1Y
- 5.42%
- 3Y*
- 4.51%
- 5Y*
- 0.10%
- 10Y*
- 2.00%
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%
QLTA vs. SOXX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
QLTA iShares Aaa - A Rated Corporate Bond ETF | 0.31% | 7.36% | 1.23% | 7.60% | -15.14% | -2.32% | 9.62% | 12.54% | -2.27% | 5.69% |
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 QLTA and SOXX is 0.21, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.22 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.18 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.19 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.11 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 17, 2012 | 0.03 |
The correlation between QLTA and SOXX shifts across timeframes, from 0.03 (all time) to 0.21 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
QLTA vs. SOXX — Risk / Return Rank
QLTA
SOXX
QLTA vs. SOXX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Aaa - A Rated Corporate Bond ETF (QLTA) 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.
| QLTA | SOXX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -4.36 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -3.51 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.22 | 1.74 | -0.53 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.94 | 12.13 | -10.20 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.80 | 46.43 | -40.64 |
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
| QLTA | SOXX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.25 | 5.61 | -4.36 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.01 | 0.96 | -0.95 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.29 | 1.07 | -0.79 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.40 | 0.45 | -0.05 |
Drawdowns
QLTA vs. SOXX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum QLTA drawdown since its inception was -22.27%, smaller than the maximum SOXX drawdown of -70.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QLTA and SOXX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| QLTA | SOXX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -22.27% | -70.21% | +47.94% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.81% | -15.77% | +12.96% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.66% | -41.36% | +34.70% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -21.36% | -45.75% | +24.39% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -22.27% | -45.75% | +23.48% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.41% | 0.00% | -3.41% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.68% | -19.97% | +15.29% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.94% | 4.11% | -3.17% |
Volatility
QLTA vs. SOXX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares Aaa - A Rated Corporate Bond ETF (QLTA) is 1.37%, while iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) has a volatility of 14.03%. This indicates that QLTA 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
| QLTA | SOXX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.37% | 14.03% | -12.66% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.19% | 27.35% | -24.16% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.37% | 34.18% | -29.81% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 7.22% | 36.11% | -28.89% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 7.02% | 33.43% | -26.41% |
QLTA vs. SOXX - Expense Ratio Comparison
QLTA has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than SOXX's 0.34% expense ratio.
Dividends
QLTA vs. SOXX - Dividend Comparison
QLTA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.47%, more than SOXX's 0.27% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
QLTA iShares Aaa - A Rated Corporate Bond ETF | 4.47% | 4.33% | 4.11% | 3.39% | 2.79% | 1.96% | 2.31% | 2.99% | 3.09% | 2.67% | 2.59% | 2.99% |
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
QLTA and SOXX have a correlation of 0.21, 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 QLTA (1.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QLTA dropped -22.27% vs SOXX's -70.21%.
On 10-year performance, SOXX leads with 35.79% vs 2.00% for QLTA. On fees, QLTA is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, QLTA has been the lower-risk option at 1.37%. 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 2.00%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
QLTA is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.34% for SOXX.
QLTA has the higher dividend yield at 4.47%, compared with 0.27% for SOXX.
QLTA is categorized as Corporate Bonds, while SOXX is Semiconductors. QLTA tracks Bloomberg U.S. Corporate Aaa - A Capped Index, while SOXX tracks NYSE Semiconductor Index. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for QLTA and 0.34% for SOXX.
SOXX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.61 vs 1.25), 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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