SOXX vs. BUG

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

SOXX (iShares Semiconductor ETF) and BUG (Global X Cybersecurity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SOXX is a Semiconductors fund tracking the NYSE Semiconductor Index, while BUG is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Indxx Cybersecurity Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SOXX returned 33.00%/yr vs 5.10%/yr for BUG. A 0.57 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SOXX charges 0.34%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for BUG.

Performance

SOXX vs. BUG - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SOXX achieves a 89.87% return, which is significantly higher than BUG's 14.02% return.

SOXX

• 1D: 5.87%
• 1M: 9.83%
• YTD: 89.87%
• 6M: 83.09%
• 1Y: 164.61%
• 3Y*: 53.13%
• 5Y*: 33.00%
• 10Y*: 34.90%

BUG

• 1D: -1.39%
• 1M: 12.72%
• YTD: 14.02%
• 6M: 7.90%
• 1Y: -4.05%
• 3Y*: 13.63%
• 5Y*: 5.10%
• 10Y*: —

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

SOXX vs. BUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
SOXX iShares Semiconductor ETF	89.87%	40.74%	12.92%	67.12%	-35.09%	44.09%	52.72%	12.32%
BUG Global X Cybersecurity ETF	14.02%	-5.04%	9.59%	41.40%	-33.63%	13.24%	70.83%	6.55%

Correlation

The correlation between SOXX and BUG is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.26
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.46
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 1, 2019	0.57

Over the past year, the correlation between SOXX and BUG has dropped to 0.26 - well below their long-term average of 0.57, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

SOXX vs. BUG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SOXX	BUG
Technology	100.0%	99.9%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	0.0%
Consumer Cyclical	-	0.0%
Consumer Defensive	-	0.0%
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	0.0%
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

SOXX vs. BUG — Risk / Return Rank

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

SOXX

SOXX Risk / Return Rank: 96
SOXX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
SOXX Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
SOXX Omega Ratio Rank: 94
SOXX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
SOXX Martin Ratio Rank: 97

BUG

BUG Risk / Return Rank: 8
BUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
BUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
BUG Omega Ratio Rank: 8
BUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
BUG Martin Ratio Rank: 8

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.

SOXX vs. BUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) and Global X Cybersecurity ETF (BUG). 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.

	SOXX	BUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	4.57	-0.13	+4.70
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.42	0.03	+4.39
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.64	1.00	+0.63
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	10.51	-0.11	+10.61
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	39.26	-0.22	+39.48
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SOXX vs. BUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SOXX Sharpe Ratio is 4.57, which is higher than the BUG Sharpe Ratio of -0.13. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SOXX and BUG, 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

	SOXX	BUG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.57	-0.13	+4.70
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91	0.18	+0.73
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.04	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.46	-0.02

Drawdowns

SOXX vs. BUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SOXX drawdown since its inception was -70.21%, which is greater than BUG's maximum drawdown of -41.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SOXX and BUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	SOXX	BUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-70.21%	-41.66%	-28.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.77%	-37.69%	+21.92%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-41.36%	-37.69%	-3.67%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-45.75%	-41.66%	-4.09%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.75%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.18%	-9.91%	+2.73%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.97%	-14.41%	-5.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.21%	18.38%	-14.17%

Volatility

SOXX vs. BUG - Volatility Comparison

iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) has a higher volatility of 18.43% compared to Global X Cybersecurity ETF (BUG) at 14.65%. This indicates that SOXX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SOXX	BUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	18.43%	14.65%	+3.78%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	30.17%	26.06%	+4.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	36.35%	31.04%	+5.31%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.50%	28.51%	+7.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	33.66%	29.34%	+4.32%

SOXX vs. BUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

SOXX has a 0.34% expense ratio, which is lower than BUG's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

SOXX vs. BUG - Dividend Comparison

SOXX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.29%, more than BUG's 0.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BUG Global X Cybersecurity ETF	0.03%	0.04%	0.09%	0.10%	1.56%	0.66%	0.46%	0.24%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SOXX iShares Semiconductor ETF	0.29%	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 SOXX and BUG in my portfolio?

SOXX and BUG have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SOXX or BUG?

SOXX has higher volatility (18.43%) compared to BUG (14.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SOXX dropped -70.21% vs BUG's -41.66%.

Which ETF is better, SOXX or BUG?

On 5-year performance, SOXX leads with 33.00% vs 5.10% for BUG. On fees, SOXX is cheaper at 0.34% per year. On volatility, BUG has been the lower-risk option at 14.65%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SOXX or BUG?

Over the 5-year period, SOXX has performed better with a 33.00% return vs 5.10%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SOXX or BUG?

SOXX is cheaper with a 0.34% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for BUG.

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

SOXX has the higher dividend yield at 0.29%, compared with 0.03% for BUG.

What is the main difference between SOXX and BUG?

SOXX is categorized as Semiconductors, while BUG is Technology Equities. SOXX tracks NYSE Semiconductor Index, while BUG tracks Indxx Cybersecurity Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Global X. Their fees differ too: 0.34% for SOXX and 0.50% for BUG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SOXX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.57 vs -0.13), 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.