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XLE vs. SOXX
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

XLE vs. SOXX

Last updated Jun 16, 2026

XLE (State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF) and SOXX (iShares Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XLE is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Energy Select Sector Index, while SOXX is a Semiconductors fund tracking the NYSE Semiconductor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XLE returned 9.49%/yr vs 36.39%/yr for SOXX. At a 0.41 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. XLE charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.34%/yr for SOXX.

Performance

XLE vs. SOXX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) 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, XLE achieves a 25.06% return, which is significantly lower than SOXX's 108.91% return. Over the past 10 years, XLE has underperformed SOXX with an annualized return of 9.49%, while SOXX has yielded a comparatively higher 36.39% annualized return.

XLE

1D
-3.48%
1M
-6.54%
YTD
25.06%
6M
24.78%
1Y
30.16%
3Y*
14.85%
5Y*
19.05%
10Y*
9.49%

SOXX

1D
5.45%
1M
23.64%
YTD
108.91%
6M
111.42%
1Y
186.37%
3Y*
55.91%
5Y*
35.21%
10Y*
36.39%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

XLE vs. SOXX - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
XLE
State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF		25.06%7.88%5.56%-0.63%64.32%53.28%-32.67%11.74%-18.22%-0.89%
SOXX
iShares Semiconductor ETF		108.91%40.74%12.92%67.12%-35.09%44.09%52.72%62.42%-6.49%39.79%

Correlation

The correlation between XLE and SOXX is -0.02, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

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

-0.02

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

0.11

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

0.21

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

0.30

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 13, 2001

0.41

The correlation between XLE and SOXX shifts across timeframes, from -0.02 (1 year) to 0.41 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

XLE vs. SOXX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
XLE
SOXX

Energy

100.0%

-

Basic Materials

-

-

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Financial Services

-

-

Healthcare

-

-

Industrials

-

-

Real Estate

-

-

Technology

-

100.0%

Utilities

-

-

Energy

XLE
100.0%
SOXX

-

Basic Materials

XLE

-

SOXX

-

Communication Services

XLE

-

SOXX

-

Consumer Cyclical

XLE

-

SOXX

-

Consumer Defensive

XLE

-

SOXX

-

Financial Services

XLE

-

SOXX

-

Healthcare

XLE

-

SOXX

-

Industrials

XLE

-

SOXX

-

Real Estate

XLE

-

SOXX

-

Technology

XLE

-

SOXX
100.0%

Utilities

XLE

-

SOXX

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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

State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF

iShares Semiconductor ETF

Often compared with XLE:
XLE vs. VDEXLE vs. USOXLE vs. XOPXLE vs. XLUXLE vs. XLKXLE vs. IXCXLE vs. FENY
Often compared with SOXX:
SOXX vs. SMHSOXX vs. QQQSOXX vs. SOXLSOXX vs. SOXQSOXX vs. FSELXSOXX vs. VGTSOXX vs. VOO

Return for Risk

XLE vs. SOXX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
XLE
XLE Risk / Return Rank: 4646
Overall Rank
XLE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4646
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XLE Sortino Ratio Rank: 4343
Sortino Ratio Rank
XLE Omega Ratio Rank: 4141
Omega Ratio Rank
XLE Calmar Ratio Rank: 5656
Calmar Ratio Rank
XLE Martin Ratio Rank: 4646
Martin Ratio Rank
SOXX
SOXX Risk / Return Rank: 9797
Overall Rank
SOXX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9898
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SOXX Sortino Ratio Rank: 9595
Sortino Ratio Rank
SOXX Omega Ratio Rank: 9595
Omega Ratio Rank
SOXX Calmar Ratio Rank: 9898
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.

XLE vs. SOXX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) 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.

XLESOXXDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.46
4.99

-3.54

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.97
4.74

-2.77

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.24

1.68

-0.44

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.51

11.90

-9.38

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

6.91

43.29

-36.38

XLE vs. SOXX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XLE Sharpe Ratio is 1.46, which is lower than the SOXX Sharpe Ratio of 4.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XLE 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

XLE vs. SOXX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLE drawdown since its inception was -71.26%, roughly equal to the maximum SOXX drawdown of -70.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLE and SOXX.

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Drawdown Indicators

XLESOXXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-71.26%

-70.21%

-1.05%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-12.05%

-15.77%

+3.72%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-20.14%

-41.36%

+21.22%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-26.04%

-45.75%

+19.71%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-66.81%

-45.75%

-21.06%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-11.21%

0.00%

-11.21%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-17.97%

-19.95%

+1.98%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

4.38%

4.32%

+0.06%

Volatility

XLE vs. SOXX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) is 8.02%, while iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) has a volatility of 19.99%. This indicates that XLE 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

XLESOXXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

8.02%

19.99%

-11.97%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

17.19%

31.81%

-14.62%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

20.86%

37.63%

-16.77%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

26.10%

36.81%

-10.71%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

29.61%

33.82%

-4.21%

XLE vs. SOXX - Expense Ratio Comparison

XLE has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than SOXX's 0.34% expense ratio.

Dividends

XLE vs. SOXX - Dividend Comparison

XLE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.69%, more than SOXX's 0.31% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
SOXX
iShares Semiconductor ETF		0.31%0.57%0.67%0.78%1.26%0.64%0.81%1.23%1.37%0.90%1.08%1.29%
XLE
State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF		2.69%3.28%3.36%3.55%3.68%4.21%5.62%6.72%3.54%3.03%2.26%3.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

XLE and SOXX have a correlation of -0.02, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

SOXX has higher volatility (19.99%) compared to XLE (8.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLE dropped -71.26% vs SOXX's -70.21%.

On 10-year performance, SOXX leads with 36.39% vs 9.49% for XLE. On fees, XLE is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLE has been the lower-risk option at 8.02%. 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 36.39% return vs 9.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

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

XLE has the higher dividend yield at 2.69%, compared with 0.31% for SOXX.

XLE is categorized as Energy Equities, while SOXX is Semiconductors. XLE tracks Energy Select Sector Index, while SOXX tracks NYSE Semiconductor Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for XLE and 0.34% for SOXX.

SOXX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.99 vs 1.46), 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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