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SOXX vs. IWM
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

SOXX vs. IWM

Last updated Aug 5, 2026
Documentation

SOXX (iShares Semiconductor ETF) and IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SOXX is a Semiconductors fund tracking the NYSE Semiconductor Index, while IWM is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SOXX returned 32.83%/yr vs 10.83%/yr for IWM. Their 0.72 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. SOXX charges 0.34%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IWM.

Performance

SOXX vs. IWM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) and iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM). 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 80.24% return, which is significantly higher than IWM's 23.08% return. Over the past 10 years, SOXX has outperformed IWM with an annualized return of 32.83%, while IWM has yielded a comparatively lower 10.83% annualized return.

SOXX

1D
6.80%
1M
-4.26%
6M
57.04%
YTD
80.24%
1Y
126.60%
3Y*
47.89%
5Y*
29.31%
10Y*
32.83%
ALL TIME*
14.15%

IWM

1D
1.85%
1M
1.39%
6M
15.29%
YTD
23.08%
1Y
38.74%
3Y*
17.20%
5Y*
7.66%
10Y*
10.83%
ALL TIME*
8.88%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

PositionAvg. Volume Value (2W)Avg. Volume Value (1M)Avg. Volume Value (3M)

IWM

iShares Russell 2000 ETF
$6.85B$6.35B$7.43B

SOXX

iShares Semiconductor ETF
$6.23B$5.65B$5.90B

SOXX vs. IWM - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
SOXX
iShares Semiconductor ETF		80.24%40.74%12.92%67.12%-35.09%44.09%52.72%62.42%-6.49%39.79%
IWM
iShares Russell 2000 ETF		23.08%12.66%11.38%16.83%-20.48%14.54%20.03%25.39%-11.12%14.58%

Correlation

The correlation between SOXX and IWM is 0.67, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.

0.67

Correlation (3Y)
Balances recent behavior with more history.

0.63

Correlation (5Y)
Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.

0.69

Correlation (10Y)
Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.

0.67

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 13, 2001

0.72

The correlation between SOXX and IWM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.63 to 0.72 - a consistent structural relationship.

SOXX vs. IWM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
SOXX
IWM

Technology

100.0%
13.6%

Basic Materials

-

4.5%

Communication Services

-

2.0%

Consumer Cyclical

-

9.2%

Consumer Defensive

-

2.8%

Energy

-

5.6%

Financial Services

-

18.3%

Healthcare

-

20.0%

Industrials

-

13.7%

Real Estate

-

7.0%

Utilities

-

2.9%

Technology

SOXX
100.0%
IWM
13.6%

Basic Materials

SOXX

-

IWM
4.5%

Communication Services

SOXX

-

IWM
2.0%

Consumer Cyclical

SOXX

-

IWM
9.2%

Consumer Defensive

SOXX

-

IWM
2.8%

Energy

SOXX

-

IWM
5.6%

Financial Services

SOXX

-

IWM
18.3%

Healthcare

SOXX

-

IWM
20.0%

Industrials

SOXX

-

IWM
13.7%

Real Estate

SOXX

-

IWM
7.0%

Utilities

SOXX

-

IWM
2.9%

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 Russell 2000 ETF

Often compared with SOXX:
SOXX vs. SMHSOXX vs. QQQSOXX vs. SOXLSOXX vs. SOXQSOXX vs. FSELXSOXX vs. VGTSOXX vs. VOO
Often compared with IWM:
IWM vs. SPYIWM vs. VTWOIWM vs. IJRIWM vs. AVUVIWM vs. VOOIWM vs. IWNIWM vs. IWO

Return for Risk

SOXX vs. IWM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.
SOXX
SOXX Risk / Return Rank: 9090
Overall Rank
SOXX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9494
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SOXX Sortino Ratio Rank: 8585
Sortino Ratio Rank
SOXX Omega Ratio Rank: 8787
Omega Ratio Rank
SOXX Calmar Ratio Rank: 9191
Calmar Ratio Rank
SOXX Martin Ratio Rank: 9393
Martin Ratio Rank
IWM
IWM Risk / Return Rank: 7979
Overall Rank
IWM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7979
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IWM Sortino Ratio Rank: 7979
Sortino Ratio Rank
IWM Omega Ratio Rank: 7272
Omega Ratio Rank
IWM Calmar Ratio Rank: 8484
Calmar Ratio Rank
IWM Martin Ratio Rank: 8383
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

SOXX vs. IWM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) and iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM). 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.

SOXXIWMDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.84
2.02

+0.83

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.07
2.82

+0.25

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.42

1.34

+0.08

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

4.39

3.53

+0.86

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

17.88

12.51

+5.37

SOXX vs. IWM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SOXX Sharpe Ratio is 2.84, which is higher than the IWM Sharpe Ratio of 2.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SOXX and IWM, 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. IWM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SOXX drawdown since its inception was -70.21%, which is greater than IWM's maximum drawdown of -59.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SOXX and IWM.

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Drawdown Indicators

SOXXIWMDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-70.21%

-59.05%

-11.16%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-29.01%

-11.03%

-17.98%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-41.36%

-27.50%

-13.86%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-45.75%

-31.91%

-13.84%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-45.75%

-41.13%

-4.62%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-17.22%

0.00%

-17.22%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-19.92%

-10.71%

-9.21%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

7.11%

3.11%

+4.00%

Volatility

SOXX vs. IWM - Volatility Comparison

iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) has a higher volatility of 18.28% compared to iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) at 4.58%. This indicates that SOXX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IWM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

SOXXIWMDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

18.28%

4.58%

+13.70%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

39.14%

14.21%

+24.93%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

44.78%

19.40%

+25.38%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

38.37%

22.50%

+15.87%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

34.61%

23.02%

+11.59%

SOXX vs. IWM - Expense Ratio Comparison

SOXX has a 0.34% expense ratio, which is higher than IWM's 0.19% expense ratio.

Dividends

SOXX vs. IWM - Dividend Comparison

SOXX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.27%, less than IWM's 0.88% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IWM
iShares Russell 2000 ETF		0.88%1.04%1.15%1.35%1.48%0.94%1.04%1.26%1.40%1.26%1.38%1.54%
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

SOXX and IWM have a correlation of 0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

SOXX has higher volatility (18.28%) compared to IWM (4.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SOXX dropped -70.21% vs IWM's -59.05%.

On 10-year performance, SOXX leads with 32.83% vs 10.83% for IWM. On fees, IWM is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, IWM has been the lower-risk option at 4.58%. 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 32.83% return vs 10.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IWM is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.34% for SOXX.

IWM has the higher dividend yield at 0.88%, compared with 0.27% for SOXX.

SOXX is categorized as Semiconductors, while IWM is Small Cap Blend Equities. SOXX tracks NYSE Semiconductor Index, while IWM tracks Russell 2000 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.34% for SOXX and 0.19% for IWM.

SOXX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.84 vs 2.02), 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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