SOXX vs. SGOV

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SOXX (iShares Semiconductor ETF) and SGOV (iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SOXX is a Semiconductors fund tracking the NYSE Semiconductor Index, while SGOV is a Ultrashort Bond fund tracking the ICE 0-3 Month US Treasury Securities Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SOXX returned 34.50%/yr vs 3.54%/yr for SGOV. At a correlation of -0.01, they often move in opposite directions. SOXX charges 0.34%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SGOV.

Performance

SOXX vs. SGOV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) and iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF (SGOV). 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 SGOV's 1.51% 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%

SGOV

• 1D: 0.01%
• 1M: 0.29%
• YTD: 1.51%
• 6M: 1.80%
• 1Y: 3.95%
• 3Y*: 4.72%
• 5Y*: 3.54%
• 10Y*: —

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

SOXX vs. SGOV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
SOXX iShares Semiconductor ETF	104.57%	40.74%	12.92%	67.12%	-35.09%	44.09%	55.62%
SGOV iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF	1.51%	4.24%	5.27%	5.12%	1.58%	0.04%	0.05%

Correlation

The correlation between SOXX and SGOV is -0.15, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.15
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.05
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.01
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 29, 2020	-0.01

The correlation between SOXX and SGOV shifts across timeframes, from -0.15 (1 year) to -0.01 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SOXX vs. SGOV — 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

SGOV

SGOV Risk / Return Rank: 100
SGOV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
SGOV Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
SGOV Omega Ratio Rank: 100
SGOV Calmar Ratio Rank: 100
SGOV Martin Ratio Rank: 100

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. SGOV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) and iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF (SGOV). 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	SGOV	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	5.61	20.28	-14.67
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	5.36	275.69	-270.33
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.74	195.55	-193.81
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	12.13	398.20	-386.07
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	46.43	4,462.00	-4,415.57
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. SGOV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SOXX Sharpe Ratio is 5.61, which is lower than the SGOV Sharpe Ratio of 20.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SOXX and SGOV, 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	SGOV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.61	20.28	-14.67
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96	14.73	-13.77
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.07	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	12.48	-12.04

Drawdowns

SOXX vs. SGOV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SOXX drawdown since its inception was -70.21%, which is greater than SGOV's maximum drawdown of -0.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SOXX and SGOV.

Drawdown Indicators

	SOXX	SGOV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-70.21%	-0.03%	-70.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.77%	-0.01%	-15.76%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-41.36%	-0.01%	-41.35%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-45.75%	-0.03%	-45.72%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.75%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.97%	-0.00%	-19.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.11%	0.00%	+4.11%

Volatility

SOXX vs. SGOV - Volatility Comparison

iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) has a higher volatility of 14.03% compared to iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF (SGOV) at 0.05%. This indicates that SOXX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SGOV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SOXX	SGOV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.03%	0.05%	+13.98%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	27.35%	0.13%	+27.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	34.18%	0.20%	+33.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.11%	0.24%	+35.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	33.43%	0.24%	+33.19%

SOXX vs. SGOV - Expense Ratio Comparison

SOXX has a 0.34% expense ratio, which is higher than SGOV's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

SOXX vs. SGOV - Dividend Comparison

SOXX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.27%, less than SGOV's 3.86% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SGOV iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF	3.86%	4.10%	5.10%	4.87%	1.45%	0.03%	0.05%	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 SGOV in my portfolio?

SOXX and SGOV have a correlation of -0.15, 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 SGOV?

SOXX has higher volatility (14.03%) compared to SGOV (0.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SOXX dropped -70.21% vs SGOV's -0.03%.

Which ETF is better, SOXX or SGOV?

On 5-year performance, SOXX leads with 34.50% vs 3.54% for SGOV. On fees, SGOV is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SGOV has been the lower-risk option at 0.05%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SOXX or SGOV?

Over the 5-year period, SOXX has performed better with a 34.50% return vs 3.54%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SOXX or SGOV?

SGOV is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.34% for SOXX.

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

SGOV has the higher dividend yield at 3.86%, compared with 0.27% for SOXX.

What is the main difference between SOXX and SGOV?

SOXX is categorized as Semiconductors, while SGOV is Ultrashort Bond. SOXX tracks NYSE Semiconductor Index, while SGOV tracks ICE 0-3 Month US Treasury Securities Index. Their fees differ too: 0.34% for SOXX and 0.09% for SGOV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SGOV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (20.28 vs 5.61), 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.