SOXX vs. IYW
SOXX (iShares Semiconductor ETF) and IYW (iShares U.S. Technology ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SOXX is a Semiconductors fund tracking the NYSE Semiconductor Index, while IYW is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Russell 1000 Technology RIC 22.5/45 Capped Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SOXX returned 36.04%/yr vs 25.87%/yr for IYW. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SOXX charges 0.34%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for IYW.
Performance
SOXX vs. IYW - 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 IYW's 21.37% return. Over the past 10 years, SOXX has outperformed IYW with an annualized return of 36.04%, while IYW has yielded a comparatively lower 25.87% 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%
IYW
- 1D
- -0.48%
- 1M
- 0.20%
- YTD
- 21.37%
- 6M
- 19.55%
- 1Y
- 43.82%
- 3Y*
- 31.88%
- 5Y*
- 20.23%
- 10Y*
- 25.87%
SOXX vs. IYW - 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% |
IYW iShares U.S. Technology ETF | 21.37% | 25.38% | 30.25% | 65.44% | -34.83% | 35.44% | 47.45% | 46.64% | -0.93% | 36.60% |
Correlation
The correlation between SOXX and IYW is 0.78, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.78 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.83 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.87 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.85 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 13, 2001 | 0.86 |
The correlation between SOXX and IYW has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
SOXX vs. IYW — Risk / Return Rank
SOXX
IYW
SOXX vs. IYW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) and iShares U.S. Technology ETF (IYW). 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 | IYW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +2.05 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.45 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.57 | 1.34 | +0.24 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 10.02 | 2.47 | +7.55 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 35.78 | 7.86 | +27.92 |
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Drawdowns
SOXX vs. IYW - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SOXX drawdown since its inception was -70.21%, smaller than the maximum IYW drawdown of -81.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SOXX and IYW.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SOXX | IYW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -70.21% | -81.90% | +11.69% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -15.77% | -17.81% | +2.04% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -41.36% | -26.47% | -14.89% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -45.75% | -39.44% | -6.31% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -45.75% | -39.44% | -6.31% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -8.17% | -6.80% | -1.37% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -19.94% | -34.59% | +14.65% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.41% | 5.59% | -1.18% |
Volatility
SOXX vs. IYW - Volatility Comparison
iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) has a higher volatility of 22.70% compared to iShares U.S. Technology ETF (IYW) at 11.14%. This indicates that SOXX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IYW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| SOXX | IYW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 22.70% | 11.14% | +11.56% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 33.39% | 18.38% | +15.01% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 39.43% | 22.33% | +17.10% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 37.20% | 26.24% | +10.96% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 33.99% | 25.25% | +8.74% |
SOXX vs. IYW - Expense Ratio Comparison
SOXX has a 0.34% expense ratio, which is lower than IYW's 0.38% expense ratio.
Dividends
SOXX vs. IYW - Dividend Comparison
SOXX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.24%, more than IYW's 0.11% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IYW iShares U.S. Technology ETF | 0.11% | 0.14% | 0.21% | 0.34% | 0.50% | 0.31% | 0.56% | 0.72% | 0.92% | 0.82% | 1.14% | 1.12% |
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 IYW have a correlation of 0.78, 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 IYW (11.14%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SOXX dropped -70.21% vs IYW's -81.90%.
On 10-year performance, SOXX leads with 36.04% vs 25.87% for IYW. On fees, SOXX is cheaper at 0.34% per year. On volatility, IYW has been the lower-risk option at 11.14%. 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 25.87%. 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 0.38% for IYW.
SOXX has the higher dividend yield at 0.24%, compared with 0.11% for IYW.
SOXX is categorized as Semiconductors, while IYW is Technology Equities. SOXX tracks NYSE Semiconductor Index, while IYW tracks Russell 1000 Technology RIC 22.5/45 Capped Index. Their fees differ too: 0.34% for SOXX and 0.38% for IYW.
SOXX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.02 vs 1.98), 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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