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VPU vs. SOXX
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VPU vs. SOXX

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

VPU (Vanguard Utilities ETF) and SOXX (iShares Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VPU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Utilities 25/50 Index, while SOXX is a Semiconductors fund tracking the NYSE Semiconductor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VPU returned 9.06%/yr vs 35.55%/yr for SOXX. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VPU charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.34%/yr for SOXX.

Performance

VPU vs. SOXX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) 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, VPU achieves a 4.93% return, which is significantly lower than SOXX's 98.11% return. Over the past 10 years, VPU has underperformed SOXX with an annualized return of 9.06%, while SOXX has yielded a comparatively higher 35.55% annualized return.

VPU

1D
1.15%
1M
-0.86%
YTD
4.93%
6M
5.15%
1Y
12.62%
3Y*
13.65%
5Y*
9.17%
10Y*
9.06%

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)

VPU vs. SOXX - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VPU
Vanguard Utilities ETF		4.93%16.46%23.04%-7.45%1.06%17.40%-0.74%24.89%4.38%12.44%
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 VPU and SOXX is 0.16, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

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

0.16

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

0.11

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

0.17

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

0.16

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

0.30

The correlation between VPU and SOXX shifts across timeframes, from 0.11 (3 years) to 0.30 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VPU vs. SOXX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
VPU
SOXX

Utilities

99.3%

-

Energy

0.5%

-

Industrials

0.2%

-

Basic Materials

-

-

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Financial Services

-

-

Healthcare

-

-

Real Estate

-

-

Technology

-

100.0%

Utilities

VPU
99.3%
SOXX

-

Energy

VPU
0.5%
SOXX

-

Industrials

VPU
0.2%
SOXX

-

Basic Materials

VPU

-

SOXX

-

Communication Services

VPU

-

SOXX

-

Consumer Cyclical

VPU

-

SOXX

-

Consumer Defensive

VPU

-

SOXX

-

Financial Services

VPU

-

SOXX

-

Healthcare

VPU

-

SOXX

-

Real Estate

VPU

-

SOXX

-

Technology

VPU

-

SOXX
100.0%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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

Vanguard Utilities ETF

iShares Semiconductor ETF

Often compared with VPU:
VPU vs. XLUVPU vs. FUTYVPU vs. VOOVPU vs. IDUVPU vs. SPYVPU vs. VUIAXVPU vs. SCHD
Often compared with SOXX:
SOXX vs. SMHSOXX vs. QQQSOXX vs. SOXLSOXX vs. SOXQSOXX vs. FSELXSOXX vs. VGTSOXX vs. VOO

Return for Risk

VPU vs. SOXX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VPU
VPU Risk / Return Rank: 2626
Overall Rank
VPU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2626
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VPU Sortino Ratio Rank: 2424
Sortino Ratio Rank
VPU Omega Ratio Rank: 2525
Omega Ratio Rank
VPU Calmar Ratio Rank: 3131
Calmar Ratio Rank
VPU Martin Ratio Rank: 2424
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.

VPU vs. SOXX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) 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.

VPUSOXXDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.83
4.43

-3.60

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.20
4.37

-3.17

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.15

1.62

-0.47

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.34

10.50

-9.16

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

2.91

38.20

-35.30

VPU vs. SOXX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VPU Sharpe Ratio is 0.83, which is lower than the SOXX Sharpe Ratio of 4.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VPU 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

VPU vs. SOXX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VPU drawdown since its inception was -46.31%, smaller than the maximum SOXX drawdown of -70.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VPU and SOXX.

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Drawdown Indicators

VPUSOXXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-46.31%

-70.21%

+23.90%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-8.90%

-15.77%

+6.87%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-17.34%

-41.36%

+24.02%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-25.15%

-45.75%

+20.60%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-36.42%

-45.75%

+9.33%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-5.69%

-3.16%

-2.53%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-7.78%

-19.95%

+12.17%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

4.10%

4.33%

-0.23%

Volatility

VPU vs. SOXX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) is 5.55%, while iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) has a volatility of 19.42%. This indicates that VPU 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

VPUSOXXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.55%

19.42%

-13.87%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

11.52%

31.46%

-19.94%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

14.41%

37.35%

-22.94%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

17.07%

36.73%

-19.66%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

19.13%

33.77%

-14.64%

VPU vs. SOXX - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

VPU vs. SOXX - Dividend Comparison

VPU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.64%, 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%
VPU
Vanguard Utilities ETF		2.64%2.73%3.02%3.49%2.98%2.70%3.17%2.83%3.23%3.18%3.19%3.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

VPU and SOXX have a correlation of 0.16, 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 VPU (5.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VPU dropped -46.31% vs SOXX's -70.21%.

On 10-year performance, SOXX leads with 35.55% vs 9.06% for VPU. On fees, VPU is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, VPU has been the lower-risk option at 5.55%. 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 9.06%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

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

VPU has the higher dividend yield at 2.64%, compared with 0.28% for SOXX.

VPU is categorized as Utilities Equities, while SOXX is Semiconductors. VPU tracks MSCI US Investable Market Utilities 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 VPU and 0.34% for SOXX.

SOXX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.43 vs 0.83), 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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