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VHT vs. SOXX
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VHT vs. SOXX

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

VHT (Vanguard Health Care ETF) and SOXX (iShares Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VHT is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Health Care 25/50 Index, while SOXX is a Semiconductors fund tracking the NYSE Semiconductor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VHT returned 9.87%/yr vs 35.55%/yr for SOXX. A 0.53 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VHT charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.34%/yr for SOXX.

Performance

VHT vs. SOXX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) and iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VHT achieves a -0.11% return, which is significantly lower than SOXX's 98.11% return. Over the past 10 years, VHT has underperformed SOXX with an annualized return of 9.87%, while SOXX has yielded a comparatively higher 35.55% annualized return.

VHT

1D
-0.12%
1M
4.51%
YTD
-0.11%
6M
0.45%
1Y
16.49%
3Y*
7.19%
5Y*
4.78%
10Y*
9.87%

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

VHT vs. SOXX - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VHT
Vanguard Health Care ETF		-0.11%15.46%2.66%2.52%-5.60%20.57%18.29%21.87%5.58%23.26%
SOXX
iShares Semiconductor ETF		98.11%40.74%12.92%67.12%-35.09%44.09%52.72%62.42%-6.49%39.79%

Correlation

The correlation between VHT and SOXX is 0.18, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.18

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

0.28

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

0.40

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

0.47

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2004

0.53

Over the past year, the correlation between VHT and SOXX has dropped to 0.18 - well below their long-term average of 0.53, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

VHT vs. SOXX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
VHT
SOXX

Healthcare

100.0%

-

Financial Services

0.0%

-

Industrials

0.0%

-

Technology

0.0%
100.0%

Basic Materials

-

-

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Energy

-

-

Real Estate

-

-

Utilities

-

-

Healthcare

VHT
100.0%
SOXX

-

Financial Services

VHT
0.0%
SOXX

-

Industrials

VHT
0.0%
SOXX

-

Technology

VHT
0.0%
SOXX
100.0%

Basic Materials

VHT

-

SOXX

-

Communication Services

VHT

-

SOXX

-

Consumer Cyclical

VHT

-

SOXX

-

Consumer Defensive

VHT

-

SOXX

-

Energy

VHT

-

SOXX

-

Real Estate

VHT

-

SOXX

-

Utilities

VHT

-

SOXX

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Vanguard Health Care ETF

iShares Semiconductor ETF

Often compared with VHT:
VHT vs. XLVVHT vs. VGHCXVHT vs. VOOVHT vs. VGHAXVHT vs. FHLCVHT vs. IXJVHT vs. IYH
Often compared with SOXX:
SOXX vs. SMHSOXX vs. QQQSOXX vs. SOXLSOXX vs. SOXQSOXX vs. FSELXSOXX vs. VGTSOXX vs. VOO

Return for Risk

VHT vs. SOXX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VHT
VHT Risk / Return Rank: 3434
Overall Rank
VHT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3434
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VHT Sortino Ratio Rank: 3737
Sortino Ratio Rank
VHT Omega Ratio Rank: 3232
Omega Ratio Rank
VHT Calmar Ratio Rank: 3535
Calmar Ratio Rank
VHT Martin Ratio Rank: 3030
Martin Ratio Rank
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
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.

VHT vs. SOXX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) and iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX). 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.

VHTSOXXDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.09
4.43

-3.35

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.71
4.37

-2.66

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.19

1.62

-0.43

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.53

10.50

-8.96

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

3.81

38.20

-34.39

VHT vs. SOXX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VHT Sharpe Ratio is 1.09, which is lower than the SOXX Sharpe Ratio of 4.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VHT and SOXX, 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

VHT vs. SOXX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VHT drawdown since its inception was -39.12%, smaller than the maximum SOXX drawdown of -70.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VHT and SOXX.

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Drawdown Indicators

VHTSOXXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-39.12%

-70.21%

+31.09%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-10.40%

-15.77%

+5.37%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-16.91%

-41.36%

+24.45%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-17.71%

-45.75%

+28.04%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-28.85%

-45.75%

+16.90%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-3.28%

-3.16%

-0.12%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-5.99%

-19.95%

+13.96%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

4.19%

4.33%

-0.14%

Volatility

VHT vs. SOXX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) is 4.88%, while iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) has a volatility of 19.42%. This indicates that VHT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SOXX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

VHTSOXXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.88%

19.42%

-14.54%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

10.46%

31.46%

-21.00%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

14.70%

37.35%

-22.65%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

15.01%

36.73%

-21.72%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

16.97%

33.77%

-16.80%

VHT vs. SOXX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VHT has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than SOXX's 0.34% expense ratio.

Dividends

VHT vs. SOXX - Dividend Comparison

VHT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.64%, more than SOXX's 0.28% 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%
VHT
Vanguard Health Care ETF		1.64%1.61%1.53%1.36%1.33%1.14%1.21%1.89%1.38%1.31%1.45%1.22%

Frequently Asked Questions

VHT and SOXX have a correlation of 0.18, 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 VHT (4.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VHT dropped -39.12% vs SOXX's -70.21%.

On 10-year performance, SOXX leads with 35.55% vs 9.87% for VHT. On fees, VHT is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, VHT has been the lower-risk option at 4.88%. 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 9.87%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

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

VHT has the higher dividend yield at 1.64%, compared with 0.28% for SOXX.

VHT is categorized as Health & Biotech Equities, while SOXX is Semiconductors. VHT tracks MSCI US Investable Market Health Care 25/50 Index, while SOXX tracks NYSE Semiconductor Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for VHT and 0.34% for SOXX.

SOXX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.43 vs 1.09), 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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