SOXX vs. CAOS
SOXX (iShares Semiconductor ETF) and CAOS (Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SOXX is a Semiconductors fund tracking the NYSE Semiconductor Index, while CAOS is a Options Trading fund actively managed by Alpha Architect. SOXX is passively managed, while CAOS is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, SOXX returned 45.18%/yr vs 3.60%/yr for CAOS. At a correlation of -0.00, they often move in opposite directions. SOXX charges 0.34%/yr vs 0.63%/yr for CAOS.
Performance
SOXX vs. CAOS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SOXX achieves a 76.35% return, which is significantly higher than CAOS's 0.80% return.
SOXX
- 1D
- -4.46%
- 1M
- -10.27%
- 6M
- 57.49%
- YTD
- 76.35%
- 1Y
- 117.02%
- 3Y*
- 45.18%
- 5Y*
- 31.15%
- 10Y*
- 33.24%
CAOS
- 1D
- -0.04%
- 1M
- 0.13%
- 6M
- 0.30%
- YTD
- 0.80%
- 1Y
- 1.82%
- 3Y*
- 3.60%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
SOXX vs. CAOS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
SOXX iShares Semiconductor ETF | 76.35% | 40.74% | 12.92% | 38.60% |
CAOS Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF | 0.80% | 2.55% | 5.33% | 7.43% |
Correlation
The correlation between SOXX and CAOS is -0.30, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.30 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.10 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 6, 2023 | -0.00 |
Over the past year, the inverse relationship between SOXX and CAOS has strengthened: their correlation has moved from -0.00 to -0.30, meaning they now move in opposite directions more often than their long-term average.
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Return for Risk
SOXX vs. CAOS — Risk / Return Rank
SOXX
CAOS
SOXX vs. CAOS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) and Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF (CAOS). 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.
| SOXX | CAOS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.59 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.12 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.41 | 1.24 | +0.17 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 6.19 | 2.41 | +3.78 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 22.06 | 5.44 | +16.62 |
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Drawdowns
SOXX vs. CAOS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SOXX drawdown since its inception was -70.21%, which is greater than CAOS's maximum drawdown of -3.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SOXX and CAOS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SOXX | CAOS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -70.21% | -3.89% | -66.32% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -19.01% | -0.76% | -18.25% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -41.36% | -3.60% | -37.76% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -45.75% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -45.75% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -19.01% | -1.08% | -17.93% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -19.92% | -0.92% | -19.00% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.32% | 0.34% | +4.98% |
Volatility
SOXX vs. CAOS - Volatility Comparison
iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) has a higher volatility of 20.64% compared to Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF (CAOS) at 0.48%. This indicates that SOXX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CAOS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| SOXX | CAOS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 20.64% | 0.48% | +20.16% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 36.86% | 1.09% | +35.77% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 42.42% | 1.55% | +40.87% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 37.83% | 4.20% | +33.63% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 34.30% | 4.20% | +30.10% |
SOXX vs. CAOS - Expense Ratio Comparison
SOXX has a 0.34% expense ratio, which is lower than CAOS's 0.63% expense ratio.
Dividends
SOXX vs. CAOS - Dividend Comparison
SOXX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.28%, while CAOS has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CAOS Alpha Architect Tail Risk ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 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
SOXX and CAOS have a correlation of -0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SOXX has higher volatility (20.64%) compared to CAOS (0.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SOXX dropped -70.21% vs CAOS's -3.89%.
On 3-year performance, SOXX leads with 45.18% vs 3.60% for CAOS. On fees, SOXX is cheaper at 0.34% per year. On volatility, CAOS has been the lower-risk option at 0.48%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, SOXX has performed better with a 45.18% return vs 3.60%. 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 0.63% for CAOS.
SOXX has the higher dividend yield at 0.28%, compared with 0.00% for CAOS.
SOXX is categorized as Semiconductors, while CAOS is Options Trading. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Alpha Architect. Their fees differ too: 0.34% for SOXX and 0.63% for CAOS.
SOXX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.77 vs 1.19), 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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