SOXX vs. IAU
SOXX (iShares Semiconductor ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - SOXX is a Semiconductors fund tracking the NYSE Semiconductor Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SOXX returned 36.04%/yr vs 11.42%/yr for IAU. At a 0.05 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SOXX charges 0.34%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.
Performance
SOXX vs. IAU - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SOXX achieves a 99.95% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's -7.61% return. Over the past 10 years, SOXX has outperformed IAU with an annualized return of 36.04%, while IAU has yielded a comparatively lower 11.42% annualized return.
SOXX
- 1D
- -0.31%
- 1M
- 12.00%
- YTD
- 99.95%
- 6M
- 96.69%
- 1Y
- 157.04%
- 3Y*
- 56.02%
- 5Y*
- 33.68%
- 10Y*
- 36.04%
IAU
- 1D
- -3.03%
- 1M
- -11.58%
- YTD
- -7.61%
- 6M
- -11.09%
- 1Y
- 19.64%
- 3Y*
- 27.30%
- 5Y*
- 17.22%
- 10Y*
- 11.42%
SOXX vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SOXX iShares Semiconductor ETF | 99.95% | 40.74% | 12.92% | 67.12% | -35.09% | 44.09% | 52.72% | 62.42% | -6.49% | 39.79% |
IAU iShares Gold Trust | -7.61% | 63.95% | 26.85% | 12.84% | -0.63% | -4.00% | 25.03% | 17.98% | -1.76% | 12.91% |
Correlation
The correlation between SOXX and IAU is 0.24, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.24 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.14 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.12 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.05 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 28, 2005 | 0.05 |
The correlation between SOXX and IAU shifts across timeframes, from 0.05 (all time) to 0.24 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
SOXX vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank
SOXX
IAU
SOXX vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU). 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 | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +3.31 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +2.93 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.57 | 1.15 | +0.42 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 10.02 | 0.75 | +9.27 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 35.78 | 2.14 | +33.64 |
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Drawdowns
SOXX vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SOXX drawdown since its inception was -70.21%, which is greater than IAU's maximum drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SOXX and IAU.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SOXX | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -70.21% | -45.14% | -25.07% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -15.77% | -26.17% | +10.40% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -41.36% | -26.17% | -15.19% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -45.75% | -26.17% | -19.58% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -45.75% | -26.17% | -19.58% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -8.17% | -26.17% | +18.00% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -19.94% | -15.98% | -3.96% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.41% | 9.21% | -4.80% |
Volatility
SOXX vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison
iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) has a higher volatility of 22.70% compared to iShares Gold Trust (IAU) at 8.50%. This indicates that SOXX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IAU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| SOXX | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 22.70% | 8.50% | +14.20% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 33.39% | 24.42% | +8.97% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 39.43% | 27.55% | +11.88% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 37.20% | 18.24% | +18.96% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 33.99% | 16.01% | +17.98% |
SOXX vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison
SOXX has a 0.34% expense ratio, which is higher than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio.
Dividends
SOXX vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison
SOXX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.24%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IAU iShares Gold Trust | 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 | 0.24% | 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 IAU have a correlation of 0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SOXX has higher volatility (22.70%) compared to IAU (8.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SOXX dropped -70.21% vs IAU's -45.14%.
On 10-year performance, SOXX leads with 36.04% vs 11.42% for IAU. On fees, IAU is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, IAU has been the lower-risk option at 8.50%. 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 36.04% return vs 11.42%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IAU is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.34% for SOXX.
SOXX has the higher dividend yield at 0.24%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.
SOXX is categorized as Semiconductors, while IAU is Gold. SOXX tracks NYSE Semiconductor Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. Their fees differ too: 0.34% for SOXX and 0.25% for IAU.
SOXX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.02 vs 0.72), 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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