SEMI vs. SOXL

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

SEMI (Columbia Select Technology ETF) and SOXL (Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SEMI is a Semiconductors fund actively managed by Columbia, while SOXL is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the ICE Semiconductor Index. SEMI is actively managed, while SOXL is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, SEMI returned 30.48%/yr vs 131.09%/yr for SOXL. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.75% expense ratio.

Performance

SEMI vs. SOXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia Select Technology ETF (SEMI) and Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF (SOXL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SEMI achieves a 32.72% return, which is significantly lower than SOXL's 533.64% return.

SEMI

• 1D: 1.77%
• 1M: 16.66%
• YTD: 32.72%
• 6M: 31.75%
• 1Y: 67.04%
• 3Y*: 30.48%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SOXL

• 1D: 17.31%
• 1M: 104.23%
• YTD: 533.64%
• 6M: 508.04%
• 1Y: 1,481.30%
• 3Y*: 131.09%
• 5Y*: 49.21%
• 10Y*: 64.53%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

SEMI vs. SOXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
SEMI Columbia Select Technology ETF	32.72%	24.91%	15.87%	45.37%	-21.87%
SOXL Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF	533.64%	54.91%	-12.31%	226.98%	-76.42%

Correlation

The correlation between SEMI and SOXL is 0.79, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 31, 2022	0.93

The correlation between SEMI and SOXL shifts across timeframes, from 0.79 (1 year) to 0.93 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SEMI vs. SOXL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SEMI	SOXL
Technology	82.3%	100.0%
Communication Services	9.5%	-
Financial Services	4.4%	-
Consumer Cyclical	3.9%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

SEMI vs. SOXL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

SEMI

SEMI Risk / Return Rank: 84
SEMI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
SEMI Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
SEMI Omega Ratio Rank: 80
SEMI Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
SEMI Martin Ratio Rank: 85

SOXL

SOXL Risk / Return Rank: 98
SOXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
SOXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
SOXL Omega Ratio Rank: 95
SOXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
SOXL Martin Ratio Rank: 99

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

SEMI vs. SOXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia Select Technology ETF (SEMI) and Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF (SOXL). 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.

	SEMI	SOXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.05	14.69	-11.64
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.69	5.22	-1.53
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.49	1.73	-0.24
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.77	35.72	-30.94
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	17.95	122.73	-104.78
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SEMI vs. SOXL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SEMI Sharpe Ratio is 3.05, which is lower than the SOXL Sharpe Ratio of 14.69. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SEMI and SOXL, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SEMI	SOXL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.05	14.69	-11.64
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.46	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.65	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.65	0.51	+0.14

Drawdowns

SEMI vs. SOXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SEMI drawdown since its inception was -32.93%, smaller than the maximum SOXL drawdown of -90.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SEMI and SOXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	SEMI	SOXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.93%	-90.46%	+57.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.41%	-43.47%	+29.06%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.93%	-87.88%	+54.95%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-90.46%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-90.46%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.29%	-35.02%	+25.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.83%	12.65%	-8.82%

Volatility

SEMI vs. SOXL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Columbia Select Technology ETF (SEMI) is 6.81%, while Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF (SOXL) has a volatility of 41.22%. This indicates that SEMI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SOXL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SEMI	SOXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.81%	41.22%	-34.41%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.41%	81.21%	-63.80%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.14%	102.08%	-79.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	31.59%	107.26%	-75.67%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.59%	99.05%	-67.46%

SEMI vs. SOXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both SEMI and SOXL have an expense ratio of 0.75%.

Dividends

SEMI vs. SOXL - Dividend Comparison

SEMI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.38%, more than SOXL's 0.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
SEMI Columbia Select Technology ETF	3.38%	4.48%	0.96%	0.87%	0.67%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SOXL Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF	0.03%	0.34%	1.18%	0.51%	1.07%	0.04%	0.05%	0.38%	1.30%	0.09%	4.84%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SEMI and SOXL in my portfolio?

SEMI and SOXL have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SEMI or SOXL?

SOXL has higher volatility (41.22%) compared to SEMI (6.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SEMI dropped -32.93% vs SOXL's -90.46%.

Which ETF is better, SEMI or SOXL?

On 3-year performance, SOXL leads with 131.09% vs 30.48% for SEMI. Both ETFs have the same 0.75% expense ratio. On volatility, SEMI has been the lower-risk option at 6.81%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SEMI or SOXL?

Over the 3-year period, SOXL has performed better with a 131.09% return vs 30.48%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SEMI or SOXL?

SEMI and SOXL have the same expense ratio: 0.75% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SEMI or SOXL?

SEMI has the higher dividend yield at 3.38%, compared with 0.03% for SOXL.

What is the main difference between SEMI and SOXL?

SEMI is categorized as Semiconductors, while SOXL is Leveraged Equities. They also come from different issuers: Columbia and Direxion.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SOXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (14.69 vs 3.05), 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.