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SOXX vs. VWO
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

SOXX vs. VWO

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

SOXX (iShares Semiconductor ETF) and VWO (Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SOXX is a Semiconductors fund tracking the NYSE Semiconductor Index, while VWO is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the FTSE Emerging Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SOXX returned 35.55%/yr vs 9.00%/yr for VWO. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SOXX charges 0.34%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VWO.

Performance

SOXX vs. VWO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) and Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO). 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 98.11% return, which is significantly higher than VWO's 10.77% return. Over the past 10 years, SOXX has outperformed VWO with an annualized return of 35.55%, while VWO has yielded a comparatively lower 9.00% annualized return.

SOXX

1D
1.59%
1M
12.49%
YTD
98.11%
6M
99.51%
1Y
171.57%
3Y*
53.00%
5Y*
33.69%
10Y*
35.55%

VWO

1D
0.76%
1M
-0.68%
YTD
10.77%
6M
12.57%
1Y
26.52%
3Y*
16.61%
5Y*
5.03%
10Y*
9.00%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

SOXX vs. VWO - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
SOXX
iShares Semiconductor ETF		98.11%40.74%12.92%67.12%-35.09%44.09%52.72%62.42%-6.49%39.79%
VWO
Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF		10.77%25.60%10.59%9.25%-17.98%1.26%15.17%20.75%-14.76%31.49%

Correlation

The correlation between SOXX and VWO is 0.68, 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

0.68

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.61

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.61

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.62

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 10, 2005

0.64

The correlation between SOXX and VWO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.61 to 0.68 - a consistent structural relationship.

SOXX vs. VWO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
SOXX
VWO

Technology

100.0%
29.6%

Basic Materials

-

8.0%

Communication Services

-

7.1%

Consumer Cyclical

-

10.7%

Consumer Defensive

-

3.7%

Energy

-

4.6%

Financial Services

-

19.5%

Healthcare

-

3.9%

Industrials

-

8.0%

Real Estate

-

2.2%

Utilities

-

2.9%

Technology

SOXX
100.0%
VWO
29.6%

Basic Materials

SOXX

-

VWO
8.0%

Communication Services

SOXX

-

VWO
7.1%

Consumer Cyclical

SOXX

-

VWO
10.7%

Consumer Defensive

SOXX

-

VWO
3.7%

Energy

SOXX

-

VWO
4.6%

Financial Services

SOXX

-

VWO
19.5%

Healthcare

SOXX

-

VWO
3.9%

Industrials

SOXX

-

VWO
8.0%

Real Estate

SOXX

-

VWO
2.2%

Utilities

SOXX

-

VWO
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

Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF

Often compared with SOXX:
SOXX vs. SMHSOXX vs. QQQSOXX vs. SOXLSOXX vs. SOXQSOXX vs. FSELXSOXX vs. VGTSOXX vs. VOO
Often compared with VWO:
VWO vs. VEAVWO vs. IEMGVWO vs. VXUSVWO vs. EEMVWO vs. VOOVWO vs. VTIVWO vs. VEMAX

Return for Risk

SOXX vs. VWO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
SOXX
SOXX Risk / Return Rank: 9696
Overall Rank
SOXX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9797
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SOXX Sortino Ratio Rank: 9494
Sortino Ratio Rank
SOXX Omega Ratio Rank: 9494
Omega Ratio Rank
SOXX Calmar Ratio Rank: 9797
Calmar Ratio Rank
SOXX Martin Ratio Rank: 9797
Martin Ratio Rank
VWO
VWO Risk / Return Rank: 5050
Overall Rank
VWO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4949
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VWO Sortino Ratio Rank: 4747
Sortino Ratio Rank
VWO Omega Ratio Rank: 5151
Omega Ratio Rank
VWO Calmar Ratio Rank: 5050
Calmar Ratio Rank
VWO Martin Ratio Rank: 5252
Martin Ratio Rank
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. VWO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) and Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO). 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.

SOXXVWODifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
4.43
1.49

+2.94

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
4.37
2.10

+2.28

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.62

1.28

+0.34

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

10.50

2.21

+8.28

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

38.20

7.80

+30.40

SOXX vs. VWO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SOXX Sharpe Ratio is 4.43, which is higher than the VWO Sharpe Ratio of 1.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SOXX and VWO, 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. VWO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SOXX drawdown since its inception was -70.21%, roughly equal to the maximum VWO drawdown of -67.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SOXX and VWO.

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Drawdown Indicators

SOXXVWODifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-70.21%

-67.68%

-2.53%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-15.77%

-11.17%

-4.60%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-41.36%

-17.37%

-23.99%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-45.75%

-32.60%

-13.15%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-45.75%

-36.39%

-9.36%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-3.16%

-2.68%

-0.48%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-19.95%

-15.80%

-4.15%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

4.33%

3.17%

+1.16%

Volatility

SOXX vs. VWO - Volatility Comparison

iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) has a higher volatility of 19.42% compared to Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) at 6.64%. This indicates that SOXX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VWO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

SOXXVWODifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

19.42%

6.64%

+12.78%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

31.46%

14.04%

+17.42%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

37.35%

16.54%

+20.81%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

36.73%

17.48%

+19.25%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

33.77%

19.22%

+14.55%

SOXX vs. VWO - Expense Ratio Comparison

SOXX has a 0.34% expense ratio, which is higher than VWO's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

SOXX vs. VWO - Dividend Comparison

SOXX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.28%, less than VWO's 2.44% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
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%
VWO
Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF		2.44%2.79%3.20%3.52%4.11%2.63%1.91%3.23%2.88%2.30%2.52%3.26%

Frequently Asked Questions

SOXX and VWO have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

SOXX has higher volatility (19.42%) compared to VWO (6.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SOXX dropped -70.21% vs VWO's -67.68%.

On 10-year performance, SOXX leads with 35.55% vs 9.00% for VWO. On fees, VWO is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, VWO has been the lower-risk option at 6.64%. 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 35.55% return vs 9.00%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

VWO is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.34% for SOXX.

VWO has the higher dividend yield at 2.44%, compared with 0.28% for SOXX.

SOXX is categorized as Semiconductors, while VWO is Emerging Markets Equities. SOXX tracks NYSE Semiconductor Index, while VWO tracks FTSE Emerging Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.34% for SOXX and 0.08% for VWO.

SOXX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.43 vs 1.49), 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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