SOXX vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

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 35.79%/yr vs 13.31%/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

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SOXX achieves a 104.57% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's 2.98% return. Over the past 10 years, SOXX has outperformed IAU with an annualized return of 35.79%, while IAU has yielded a comparatively lower 13.31% annualized return.

SOXX

• 1D: 1.76%
• 1M: 33.25%
• YTD: 104.57%
• 6M: 99.43%
• 1Y: 190.05%
• 3Y*: 57.39%
• 5Y*: 34.50%
• 10Y*: 35.79%

IAU

• 1D: -0.98%
• 1M: -1.62%
• YTD: 2.98%
• 6M: 5.50%
• 1Y: 32.20%
• 3Y*: 31.29%
• 5Y*: 18.32%
• 10Y*: 13.31%

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

SOXX vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SOXX iShares Semiconductor ETF	104.57%	40.74%	12.92%	67.12%	-35.09%	44.09%	52.72%	62.42%	-6.49%	39.79%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	2.98%	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 0.19, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.19
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.13
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.11
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.04
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 31, 2005	0.05

The correlation between SOXX and IAU shifts across timeframes, from 0.04 (10 years) to 0.19 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SOXX vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

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

Return for Risk

SOXX vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

SOXX

SOXX Risk / Return Rank: 97
SOXX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
SOXX Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
SOXX Omega Ratio Rank: 95
SOXX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
SOXX Martin Ratio Rank: 97

IAU

IAU Risk / Return Rank: 32
IAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
IAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
IAU Omega Ratio Rank: 36
IAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
IAU Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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. 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.

	SOXX	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	5.61	1.23	+4.38
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	5.36	1.62	+3.74
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.74	1.24	+0.50
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	12.13	1.69	+10.45
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	46.43	4.19	+42.25
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. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SOXX Sharpe Ratio is 5.61, which is higher than the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SOXX and IAU, 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	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.61	1.23	+4.38
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96	1.03	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.07	0.84	+0.23
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.62	-0.18

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.

Drawdown Indicators

	SOXX	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-70.21%	-45.14%	-25.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.77%	-19.18%	+3.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-41.36%	-19.18%	-22.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-45.75%	-20.93%	-24.82%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.75%	-21.82%	-23.93%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-17.70%	+17.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.97%	-15.96%	-4.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.11%	7.71%	-3.60%

Volatility

SOXX vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) has a higher volatility of 14.03% compared to iShares Gold Trust (IAU) at 5.50%. 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.

Volatility by Period

	SOXX	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.03%	5.50%	+8.53%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	27.35%	23.02%	+4.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	34.18%	26.42%	+7.76%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.11%	17.95%	+18.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	33.43%	15.90%	+17.53%

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 0.27%, 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	0.27%	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 IAU in my portfolio?

SOXX and IAU 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.

Which is riskier, SOXX or IAU?

SOXX has higher volatility (14.03%) compared to IAU (5.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SOXX dropped -70.21% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, SOXX or IAU?

On 10-year performance, SOXX leads with 35.79% vs 13.31% for IAU. On fees, IAU is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, IAU has been the lower-risk option at 5.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SOXX or IAU?

Over the 10-year period, SOXX has performed better with a 35.79% return vs 13.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SOXX or IAU?

IAU is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.34% for SOXX.

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

SOXX has the higher dividend yield at 0.27%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between SOXX and 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.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SOXX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.61 vs 1.23), 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.