SOXX vs. IUSB
SOXX (iShares Semiconductor ETF) and IUSB (iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SOXX is a Semiconductors fund tracking the NYSE Semiconductor Index, while IUSB is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Universal Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SOXX returned 32.94%/yr vs 1.76%/yr for IUSB. At a 0.04 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SOXX charges 0.34%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for IUSB.
Performance
SOXX vs. IUSB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SOXX achieves a 74.24% return, which is significantly higher than IUSB's 0.22% return. Over the past 10 years, SOXX has outperformed IUSB with an annualized return of 32.94%, while IUSB has yielded a comparatively lower 1.76% annualized return.
SOXX
- 1D
- 0.45%
- 1M
- -18.03%
- 6M
- 53.21%
- YTD
- 74.24%
- 1Y
- 113.43%
- 3Y*
- 46.45%
- 5Y*
- 29.72%
- 10Y*
- 32.94%
- ALL TIME*
- 14.02%
IUSB
- 1D
- -0.24%
- 1M
- -0.60%
- 6M
- 0.02%
- YTD
- 0.22%
- 1Y
- 4.08%
- 3Y*
- 4.33%
- 5Y*
- 0.15%
- 10Y*
- 1.76%
- ALL TIME*
- 2.17%
SOXX vs. IUSB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SOXX iShares Semiconductor ETF | 74.24% | 40.74% | 12.92% | 67.12% | -35.09% | 44.09% | 52.72% | 62.42% | -6.49% | 39.79% |
IUSB iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF | 0.22% | 7.38% | 2.11% | 6.23% | -13.04% | -1.33% | 7.62% | 9.13% | -0.27% | 3.82% |
Correlation
The correlation between SOXX and IUSB 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 | 0.15 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.07 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 12, 2014 | 0.04 |
The correlation between SOXX and IUSB shifts across timeframes, from 0.04 (all time) to 0.19 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
SOXX vs. IUSB — Risk / Return Rank
SOXX
IUSB
SOXX vs. IUSB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) and iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF (IUSB). 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 | IUSB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.54 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.25 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.40 | 1.20 | +0.20 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 5.61 | 1.62 | +3.99 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 20.26 | 4.45 | +15.81 |
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Drawdowns
SOXX vs. IUSB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SOXX drawdown since its inception was -70.21%, which is greater than IUSB's maximum drawdown of -17.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SOXX and IUSB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SOXX | IUSB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -70.21% | -17.90% | -52.31% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -20.34% | -2.53% | -17.81% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -41.36% | -5.47% | -35.89% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -45.75% | -17.87% | -27.88% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -45.75% | -17.90% | -27.85% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -19.98% | -1.53% | -18.45% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -19.92% | -3.56% | -16.36% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.62% | 0.92% | +4.70% |
Volatility
SOXX vs. IUSB - Volatility Comparison
iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) has a higher volatility of 19.83% compared to iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF (IUSB) at 1.02%. This indicates that SOXX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IUSB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| SOXX | IUSB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 19.83% | 1.02% | +18.81% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 36.88% | 2.81% | +34.07% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 42.54% | 3.57% | +38.97% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 37.83% | 5.80% | +32.03% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 34.31% | 5.05% | +29.26% |
SOXX vs. IUSB - Expense Ratio Comparison
SOXX has a 0.34% expense ratio, which is higher than IUSB's 0.06% expense ratio.
Dividends
SOXX vs. IUSB - Dividend Comparison
SOXX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.28%, less than IUSB's 4.26% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IUSB iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF | 4.26% | 4.17% | 4.04% | 3.46% | 2.53% | 1.74% | 2.68% | 3.04% | 2.98% | 2.56% | 2.60% | 1.95% |
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 IUSB 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 (19.83%) compared to IUSB (1.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SOXX dropped -70.21% vs IUSB's -17.90%.
On 10-year performance, SOXX leads with 32.94% vs 1.76% for IUSB. On fees, IUSB is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, IUSB has been the lower-risk option at 1.02%. 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 32.94% return vs 1.76%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IUSB is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.34% for SOXX.
IUSB has the higher dividend yield at 4.26%, compared with 0.28% for SOXX.
SOXX is categorized as Semiconductors, while IUSB is Intermediate Core-Plus Bond. SOXX tracks NYSE Semiconductor Index, while IUSB tracks Bloomberg U.S. Universal Index. Their fees differ too: 0.34% for SOXX and 0.06% for IUSB.
SOXX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.69 vs 1.15), 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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