VXX vs. SOXL
VXX (iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN) and SOXL (Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VXX is a Volatility fund tracking the S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures Index Total Return, while SOXL is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the ICE Semiconductor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VXX returned -46.79%/yr vs 56.08%/yr for SOXL. At a correlation of -0.62, they often move in opposite directions. VXX charges 0.89%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for SOXL.
Performance
VXX vs. SOXL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VXX achieves a -17.72% return, which is significantly lower than SOXL's 293.46% return. Over the past 10 years, VXX has underperformed SOXL with an annualized return of -46.79%, while SOXL has yielded a comparatively higher 56.08% annualized return.
VXX
- 1D
- 3.08%
- 1M
- -10.00%
- 6M
- -15.71%
- YTD
- -17.72%
- 1Y
- -51.81%
- 3Y*
- -38.94%
- 5Y*
- -45.73%
- 10Y*
- -46.79%
SOXL
- 1D
- -13.99%
- 1M
- -29.53%
- 6M
- 202.60%
- YTD
- 293.46%
- 1Y
- 506.15%
- 3Y*
- 85.89%
- 5Y*
- 32.23%
- 10Y*
- 56.08%
VXX vs. SOXL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VXX iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN | -17.72% | -42.21% | -26.22% | -72.52% | -23.80% | -72.41% | 11.04% | -67.75% | 67.91% | -72.64% |
SOXL Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF | 293.46% | 54.91% | -12.31% | 226.98% | -85.66% | 118.84% | 70.04% | 231.83% | -39.07% | 141.71% |
Correlation
The correlation between VXX and SOXL is -0.52, 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 | -0.52 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.57 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.58 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | -0.60 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 11, 2010 | -0.62 |
The correlation between VXX and SOXL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -0.62 to -0.52 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VXX vs. SOXL — Risk / Return Rank
VXX
SOXL
VXX vs. SOXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN (VXX) and Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF (SOXL). 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.
| VXX | SOXL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -5.05 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -4.55 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.84 | 1.43 | -0.59 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.96 | 11.33 | -12.30 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -1.55 | 32.97 | -34.52 |
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Drawdowns
VXX vs. SOXL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VXX drawdown since its inception was -100.00%, which is greater than SOXL's maximum drawdown of -90.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VXX and SOXL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VXX | SOXL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -100.00% | -90.46% | -9.54% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -53.98% | -45.05% | -8.93% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -80.49% | -87.88% | +7.39% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -96.22% | -90.46% | -5.76% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -99.82% | -90.46% | -9.36% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -100.00% | -45.02% | -54.98% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -95.09% | -34.94% | -60.15% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 33.53% | 15.45% | +18.08% |
Volatility
VXX vs. SOXL - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN (VXX) is 14.39%, while Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF (SOXL) has a volatility of 65.64%. This indicates that VXX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SOXL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VXX | SOXL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 14.39% | 65.64% | -51.25% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 43.73% | 108.34% | -64.61% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 56.27% | 123.98% | -67.71% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 67.95% | 111.84% | -43.89% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 70.30% | 101.32% | -31.02% |
VXX vs. SOXL - Expense Ratio Comparison
VXX has a 0.89% expense ratio, which is higher than SOXL's 0.75% expense ratio.
Dividends
VXX vs. SOXL - Dividend Comparison
VXX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SOXL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.01%.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SOXL Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF | 0.01% | 0.34% | 1.18% | 0.51% | 1.07% | 0.04% | 0.05% | 0.38% | 1.30% | 0.09% | 4.84% |
VXX iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VXX and SOXL have a correlation of -0.52, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SOXL has higher volatility (65.64%) compared to VXX (14.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VXX dropped -100.00% vs SOXL's -90.46%.
On 10-year performance, SOXL leads with 56.08% vs -46.79% for VXX. On fees, SOXL is cheaper at 0.75% per year. On volatility, VXX has been the lower-risk option at 14.39%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, SOXL has performed better with a 56.08% return vs -46.79%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SOXL is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 0.89% for VXX.
SOXL has the higher dividend yield at 0.01%, compared with 0.00% for VXX.
VXX is categorized as Volatility, while SOXL is Leveraged Equities. VXX tracks S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures Index Total Return, while SOXL tracks ICE Semiconductor Index. They also come from different issuers: Barclays Capital and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 0.89% for VXX and 0.75% for SOXL.
SOXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.13 vs -0.93), 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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