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SOXX vs. IAK
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

SOXX vs. IAK

Last updated Jun 16, 2026

SOXX (iShares Semiconductor ETF) and IAK (iShares U.S. Insurance ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SOXX is a Semiconductors fund tracking the NYSE Semiconductor Index, while IAK is a Financials Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Insurance Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SOXX returned 36.39%/yr vs 12.68%/yr for IAK. At a 0.46 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SOXX charges 0.34%/yr vs 0.43%/yr for IAK.

Performance

SOXX vs. IAK - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SOXX achieves a 108.91% return, which is significantly higher than IAK's 0.99% return. Over the past 10 years, SOXX has outperformed IAK with an annualized return of 36.39%, while IAK has yielded a comparatively lower 12.68% annualized return.

SOXX

1D
5.45%
1M
23.64%
YTD
108.91%
6M
111.42%
1Y
186.37%
3Y*
55.91%
5Y*
35.21%
10Y*
36.39%

IAK

1D
-0.12%
1M
2.58%
YTD
0.99%
6M
-0.34%
1Y
5.04%
3Y*
18.02%
5Y*
13.43%
10Y*
12.68%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

SOXX vs. IAK - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
SOXX
iShares Semiconductor ETF		108.91%40.74%12.92%67.12%-35.09%44.09%52.72%62.42%-6.49%39.79%
IAK
iShares U.S. Insurance ETF		0.99%9.50%28.25%11.28%11.33%26.84%-2.86%25.94%-11.48%14.18%

Correlation

The correlation between SOXX and IAK is -0.19, 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

-0.19

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

0.01

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

0.21

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

0.30

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since May 5, 2006

0.46

The correlation between SOXX and IAK shifts across timeframes, from -0.19 (1 year) to 0.46 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SOXX vs. IAK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
SOXX
IAK

Technology

100.0%

-

Basic Materials

-

-

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Energy

-

-

Financial Services

-

99.4%

Healthcare

-

0.6%

Industrials

-

-

Real Estate

-

-

Utilities

-

-

Technology

SOXX
100.0%
IAK

-

Basic Materials

SOXX

-

IAK

-

Communication Services

SOXX

-

IAK

-

Consumer Cyclical

SOXX

-

IAK

-

Consumer Defensive

SOXX

-

IAK

-

Energy

SOXX

-

IAK

-

Financial Services

SOXX

-

IAK
99.4%

Healthcare

SOXX

-

IAK
0.6%

Industrials

SOXX

-

IAK

-

Real Estate

SOXX

-

IAK

-

Utilities

SOXX

-

IAK

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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

iShares Semiconductor ETF

iShares U.S. Insurance ETF

Often compared with SOXX:
SOXX vs. SMHSOXX vs. QQQSOXX vs. SOXLSOXX vs. SOXQSOXX vs. FSELXSOXX vs. VGTSOXX vs. VOO
Often compared with IAK:
IAK vs. KIEIAK vs. KBWPIAK vs. IHEIAK vs. DIVBIAK vs. INFLIAK vs. VYMIAK vs. VTI

Return for Risk

SOXX vs. IAK — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
SOXX
SOXX Risk / Return Rank: 9797
Overall Rank
SOXX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9898
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SOXX Sortino Ratio Rank: 9595
Sortino Ratio Rank
SOXX Omega Ratio Rank: 9595
Omega Ratio Rank
SOXX Calmar Ratio Rank: 9898
Calmar Ratio Rank
SOXX Martin Ratio Rank: 9797
Martin Ratio Rank
IAK
IAK Risk / Return Rank: 1515
Overall Rank
IAK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1515
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IAK Sortino Ratio Rank: 1414
Sortino Ratio Rank
IAK Omega Ratio Rank: 1414
Omega Ratio Rank
IAK Calmar Ratio Rank: 1818
Calmar Ratio Rank
IAK Martin Ratio Rank: 1717
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.

SOXX vs. IAK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) and iShares U.S. Insurance ETF (IAK). 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.

SOXXIAKDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
4.99
0.34

+4.66

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
4.74
0.57

+4.17

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.68

1.07

+0.61

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

11.90

0.66

+11.23

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

43.29

1.48

+41.81

SOXX vs. IAK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SOXX Sharpe Ratio is 4.99, which is higher than the IAK Sharpe Ratio of 0.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SOXX and IAK, 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

SOXX vs. IAK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SOXX drawdown since its inception was -70.21%, smaller than the maximum IAK drawdown of -77.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SOXX and IAK.

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Drawdown Indicators

SOXXIAKDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-70.21%

-77.38%

+7.17%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-15.77%

-7.62%

-8.15%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-41.36%

-11.58%

-29.78%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-45.75%

-14.76%

-30.99%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-45.75%

-44.95%

-0.80%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

0.00%

-0.34%

+0.34%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-19.95%

-16.11%

-3.84%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

4.32%

3.41%

+0.91%

Volatility

SOXX vs. IAK - Volatility Comparison

iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) has a higher volatility of 19.99% compared to iShares U.S. Insurance ETF (IAK) at 5.45%. This indicates that SOXX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IAK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

SOXXIAKDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

19.99%

5.45%

+14.54%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

31.81%

10.48%

+21.33%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

37.63%

15.04%

+22.59%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

36.81%

18.14%

+18.67%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

33.82%

20.92%

+12.90%

SOXX vs. IAK - Expense Ratio Comparison

SOXX has a 0.34% expense ratio, which is lower than IAK's 0.43% expense ratio.

Dividends

SOXX vs. IAK - Dividend Comparison

SOXX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.31%, less than IAK's 2.90% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IAK
iShares U.S. Insurance ETF		2.90%1.69%1.49%1.44%1.69%2.26%2.07%1.84%2.33%1.62%1.68%1.62%
SOXX
iShares Semiconductor ETF		0.31%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 IAK have a correlation of -0.19, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

SOXX has higher volatility (19.99%) compared to IAK (5.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SOXX dropped -70.21% vs IAK's -77.38%.

On 10-year performance, SOXX leads with 36.39% vs 12.68% for IAK. On fees, SOXX is cheaper at 0.34% per year. On volatility, IAK has been the lower-risk option at 5.45%. 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 36.39% return vs 12.68%. 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 0.43% for IAK.

IAK has the higher dividend yield at 2.90%, compared with 0.31% for SOXX.

SOXX is categorized as Semiconductors, while IAK is Financials Equities. SOXX tracks NYSE Semiconductor Index, while IAK tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Insurance Index. Their fees differ too: 0.34% for SOXX and 0.43% for IAK.

SOXX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.99 vs 0.34), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

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