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SOXL vs. SOXX
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

SOXL vs. SOXX

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

SOXL (Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF) and SOXX (iShares Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SOXL is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the ICE Semiconductor Index, while SOXX is a Semiconductors fund tracking the NYSE Semiconductor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SOXL returned 63.20%/yr vs 35.55%/yr for SOXX. With a 1.00 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. SOXL charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.34%/yr for SOXX.

Performance

SOXL vs. SOXX - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SOXL achieves a 458.36% return, which is significantly higher than SOXX's 98.11% return. Over the past 10 years, SOXL has outperformed SOXX with an annualized return of 63.20%, while SOXX has yielded a comparatively lower 35.55% annualized return.

SOXL

1D
4.77%
1M
42.94%
YTD
458.36%
6M
462.65%
1Y
1,075.10%
3Y*
110.81%
5Y*
43.69%
10Y*
63.20%

SOXX

1D
1.59%
1M
17.25%
YTD
98.11%
6M
99.51%
1Y
171.57%
3Y*
53.00%
5Y*
33.69%
10Y*
35.55%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

SOXL vs. SOXX - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
SOXL
Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF		458.36%54.91%-12.31%226.98%-85.66%118.84%70.04%231.83%-39.07%141.71%
SOXX
iShares Semiconductor ETF		98.11%40.74%12.92%67.12%-35.09%44.09%52.72%62.42%-6.49%39.79%

Correlation

The correlation between SOXL and SOXX is 1.00 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.00

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

1.00

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

1.00

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

1.00

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 11, 2010

1.00

The correlation between SOXL and SOXX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 1.00 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.

SOXL vs. SOXX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
SOXL
SOXX

Technology

100.0%
100.0%

Basic Materials

-

-

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Energy

-

-

Financial Services

-

-

Healthcare

-

-

Industrials

-

-

Real Estate

-

-

Utilities

-

-

Technology

SOXL
100.0%
SOXX
100.0%

Basic Materials

SOXL

-

SOXX

-

Communication Services

SOXL

-

SOXX

-

Consumer Cyclical

SOXL

-

SOXX

-

Consumer Defensive

SOXL

-

SOXX

-

Energy

SOXL

-

SOXX

-

Financial Services

SOXL

-

SOXX

-

Healthcare

SOXL

-

SOXX

-

Industrials

SOXL

-

SOXX

-

Real Estate

SOXL

-

SOXX

-

Utilities

SOXL

-

SOXX

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF

iShares Semiconductor ETF

Often compared with SOXL:
SOXL vs. TQQQSOXL vs. SOXSSOXL vs. USDSOXL vs. TECLSOXL vs. NVDLSOXL vs. SPYSOXL vs. QQQ
Often compared with SOXX:
SOXX vs. SMHSOXX vs. QQQSOXX vs. SOXQSOXX vs. FSELXSOXX vs. VGTSOXX vs. VOOSOXX vs. SOXS

Return for Risk

SOXL vs. SOXX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
SOXL
SOXL Risk / Return Rank: 9797
Overall Rank
SOXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9999
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SOXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 9494
Sortino Ratio Rank
SOXL Omega Ratio Rank: 9494
Omega Ratio Rank
SOXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 9999
Calmar Ratio Rank
SOXL Martin Ratio Rank: 9898
Martin Ratio Rank
SOXX
SOXX Risk / Return Rank: 9696
Overall Rank
SOXX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9797
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SOXX Sortino Ratio Rank: 9494
Sortino Ratio Rank
SOXX Omega Ratio Rank: 9494
Omega Ratio Rank
SOXX Calmar Ratio Rank: 9797
Calmar Ratio Rank
SOXX Martin Ratio Rank: 9797
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

SOXL vs. SOXX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

SOXLSOXXDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
8.99
4.43

+4.56

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
4.23
4.37

-0.14

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.60

1.62

-0.02

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

22.91

10.50

+12.41

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

74.51

38.20

+36.31

SOXL vs. SOXX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SOXL Sharpe Ratio is 8.99, which is higher than the SOXX Sharpe Ratio of 4.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SOXL 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.

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Drawdowns

SOXL vs. SOXX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SOXL drawdown since its inception was -90.46%, which is greater than SOXX's maximum drawdown of -70.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SOXL and SOXX.

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Drawdown Indicators

SOXLSOXXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-90.46%

-70.21%

-20.25%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-43.47%

-15.77%

-27.70%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-87.88%

-41.36%

-46.52%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-90.46%

-45.75%

-44.71%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-90.46%

-45.75%

-44.71%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-16.35%

-3.16%

-13.19%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-34.99%

-19.95%

-15.04%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

13.35%

4.33%

+9.02%

Volatility

SOXL vs. SOXX - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF (SOXL) has a higher volatility of 58.17% compared to iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) at 19.42%. This indicates that SOXL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier 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

SOXLSOXXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

58.17%

19.42%

+38.75%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

93.93%

31.46%

+62.47%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

110.81%

37.35%

+73.46%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

108.96%

36.73%

+72.23%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

99.99%

33.77%

+66.22%

SOXL vs. SOXX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SOXL has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than SOXX's 0.34% expense ratio.

Dividends

SOXL vs. SOXX - Dividend Comparison

SOXL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.03%, less than SOXX's 0.28% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
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%0.00%
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

With a correlation of 1.00, SOXL and SOXX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

SOXL has higher volatility (58.17%) compared to SOXX (19.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SOXL dropped -90.46% vs SOXX's -70.21%.

On 10-year performance, SOXL leads with 63.20% vs 35.55% for SOXX. On fees, SOXX is cheaper at 0.34% per year. On volatility, SOXX has been the lower-risk option at 19.42%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, SOXL has performed better with a 63.20% return vs 35.55%. 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 0.75% for SOXL.

SOXX has the higher dividend yield at 0.28%, compared with 0.03% for SOXL.

SOXL is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while SOXX is Semiconductors. SOXL tracks ICE Semiconductor Index, while SOXX tracks NYSE Semiconductor Index. They also come from different issuers: Direxion and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for SOXL and 0.34% for SOXX.

SOXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (8.99 vs 4.43), 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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