SOXX vs. SCHO

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

SOXX (iShares Semiconductor ETF) and SCHO (Schwab Short-Term U.S. Treasury ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SOXX is a Semiconductors fund tracking the NYSE Semiconductor Index, while SCHO is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 1-3 Year Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SOXX returned 35.55%/yr vs 1.71%/yr for SCHO. At a correlation of -0.14, they often move in opposite directions. SOXX charges 0.34%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for SCHO.

Performance

SOXX vs. SCHO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) and Schwab Short-Term U.S. Treasury ETF (SCHO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SOXX achieves a 98.11% return, which is significantly higher than SCHO's 0.54% return. Over the past 10 years, SOXX has outperformed SCHO with an annualized return of 35.55%, while SCHO has yielded a comparatively lower 1.71% annualized return.

SOXX

• 1D: 1.59%
• 1M: 12.86%
• YTD: 98.11%
• 6M: 99.51%
• 1Y: 164.50%
• 3Y*: 53.00%
• 5Y*: 33.69%
• 10Y*: 35.55%

SCHO

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.18%
• YTD: 0.54%
• 6M: 0.82%
• 1Y: 3.35%
• 3Y*: 4.25%
• 5Y*: 1.82%
• 10Y*: 1.71%

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

SOXX vs. SCHO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SOXX iShares Semiconductor ETF	98.11%	40.74%	12.92%	67.12%	-35.09%	44.09%	52.72%	62.42%	-6.49%	39.79%
SCHO Schwab Short-Term U.S. Treasury ETF	0.54%	5.49%	3.65%	4.31%	-3.87%	-0.64%	3.11%	3.47%	1.37%	0.33%

Correlation

The correlation between SOXX and SCHO is 0.02, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.02
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.03
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.01
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.10
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 5, 2010	-0.14

The correlation between SOXX and SCHO shifts across timeframes, from -0.14 (all time) to 0.02 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SOXX vs. SCHO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SOXX	SCHO
Technology	100.0%	1.1%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	1.1%
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	0.2%
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

SOXX vs. SCHO — Risk / Return Rank

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

SOXX

SOXX Risk / Return Rank: 96
SOXX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
SOXX Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
SOXX Omega Ratio Rank: 94
SOXX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
SOXX Martin Ratio Rank: 97

SCHO

SCHO Risk / Return Rank: 88
SCHO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
SCHO Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
SCHO Omega Ratio Rank: 89
SCHO Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
SCHO Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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. SCHO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) and Schwab Short-Term U.S. Treasury ETF (SCHO). 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	SCHO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	4.43	2.46	+1.97
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.37	4.02	+0.36
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.62	1.50	+0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	10.50	3.91	+6.59
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	38.20	16.48	+21.72

SOXX vs. SCHO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SOXX Sharpe Ratio is 4.43, which is higher than the SCHO Sharpe Ratio of 2.46. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SOXX and SCHO, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

SOXX vs. SCHO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SOXX drawdown since its inception was -70.21%, which is greater than SCHO's maximum drawdown of -5.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SOXX and SCHO.

Drawdown Indicators

	SOXX	SCHO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-70.21%	-5.69%	-64.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.77%	-0.86%	-14.91%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-41.36%	-0.98%	-40.38%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-45.75%	-5.69%	-40.06%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.75%	-5.69%	-40.06%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.16%	-0.14%	-3.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.95%	-0.61%	-19.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.33%	0.20%	+4.13%

Volatility

SOXX vs. SCHO - Volatility Comparison

iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) has a higher volatility of 19.42% compared to Schwab Short-Term U.S. Treasury ETF (SCHO) at 0.43%. This indicates that SOXX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SCHO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SOXX	SCHO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	19.42%	0.43%	+18.99%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	31.46%	0.93%	+30.53%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	37.35%	1.37%	+35.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.73%	1.98%	+34.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	33.77%	1.56%	+32.21%

SOXX vs. SCHO - Expense Ratio Comparison

SOXX has a 0.34% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHO's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

SOXX vs. SCHO - Dividend Comparison

SOXX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.28%, less than SCHO's 3.90% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SCHO Schwab Short-Term U.S. Treasury ETF	3.90%	4.06%	4.29%	3.76%	1.34%	0.41%	1.27%	2.27%	1.60%	1.12%	0.82%	0.68%
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

Can I hold both SOXX and SCHO in my portfolio?

SOXX and SCHO have a correlation of 0.02, 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 SCHO?

SOXX has higher volatility (19.42%) compared to SCHO (0.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SOXX dropped -70.21% vs SCHO's -5.69%.

Which ETF is better, SOXX or SCHO?

On 10-year performance, SOXX leads with 35.55% vs 1.71% for SCHO. On fees, SCHO is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, SCHO has been the lower-risk option at 0.43%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SOXX or SCHO?

Over the 10-year period, SOXX has performed better with a 35.55% return vs 1.71%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SOXX or SCHO?

SCHO is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.34% for SOXX.

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

SCHO has the higher dividend yield at 3.90%, compared with 0.28% for SOXX.

What is the main difference between SOXX and SCHO?

SOXX is categorized as Semiconductors, while SCHO is Government Bonds. SOXX tracks NYSE Semiconductor Index, while SCHO tracks Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 1-3 Year Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.34% for SOXX and 0.03% for SCHO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SOXX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.43 vs 2.46), 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.