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XLV vs. SOXX
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

XLV vs. SOXX

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

XLV (State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF) and SOXX (iShares Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XLV is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the Health Care Select Sector Index, while SOXX is a Semiconductors fund tracking the NYSE Semiconductor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XLV returned 9.81%/yr vs 35.55%/yr for SOXX. At a 0.49 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. XLV charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.34%/yr for SOXX.

Performance

XLV vs. SOXX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) 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, XLV achieves a -0.23% return, which is significantly lower than SOXX's 98.11% return. Over the past 10 years, XLV has underperformed SOXX with an annualized return of 9.81%, while SOXX has yielded a comparatively higher 35.55% annualized return.

XLV

1D
-0.18%
1M
4.90%
YTD
-0.23%
6M
0.67%
1Y
15.00%
3Y*
7.12%
5Y*
6.00%
10Y*
9.81%

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)

XLV vs. SOXX - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
XLV
State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF		-0.23%14.50%2.47%2.07%-2.08%26.04%13.30%20.45%6.28%21.77%
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 XLV and SOXX is 0.13, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

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

0.13

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

0.22

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

0.33

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

0.41

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

0.49

Over the past year, the correlation between XLV and SOXX has dropped to 0.13 - well below their long-term average of 0.49, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

XLV vs. SOXX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
XLV
SOXX

Healthcare

100.0%

-

Basic Materials

-

-

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Energy

-

-

Financial Services

-

-

Industrials

-

-

Real Estate

-

-

Technology

-

100.0%

Utilities

-

-

Healthcare

XLV
100.0%
SOXX

-

Basic Materials

XLV

-

SOXX

-

Communication Services

XLV

-

SOXX

-

Consumer Cyclical

XLV

-

SOXX

-

Consumer Defensive

XLV

-

SOXX

-

Energy

XLV

-

SOXX

-

Financial Services

XLV

-

SOXX

-

Industrials

XLV

-

SOXX

-

Real Estate

XLV

-

SOXX

-

Technology

XLV

-

SOXX
100.0%

Utilities

XLV

-

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 Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF

iShares Semiconductor ETF

Often compared with XLV:
XLV vs. VHTXLV vs. SPYXLV vs. XLFXLV vs. IXJXLV vs. VOOXLV vs. FHLCXLV vs. IHI
Often compared with SOXX:
SOXX vs. SMHSOXX vs. QQQSOXX vs. SOXLSOXX vs. SOXQSOXX vs. FSELXSOXX vs. VGTSOXX vs. VOO

Return for Risk

XLV vs. SOXX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
XLV
XLV Risk / Return Rank: 3030
Overall Rank
XLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3030
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 3333
Sortino Ratio Rank
XLV Omega Ratio Rank: 2828
Omega Ratio Rank
XLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 3232
Calmar Ratio Rank
XLV Martin Ratio Rank: 2727
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.

XLV vs. SOXX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

XLVSOXXDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.97
4.43

-3.47

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.55
4.37

-2.82

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.17

1.62

-0.45

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.38

10.50

-9.11

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

3.31

38.20

-34.89

XLV vs. SOXX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XLV Sharpe Ratio is 0.97, which is lower than the SOXX Sharpe Ratio of 4.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XLV 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

XLV vs. SOXX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLV drawdown since its inception was -39.17%, smaller than the maximum SOXX drawdown of -70.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLV and SOXX.

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Drawdown Indicators

XLVSOXXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-39.17%

-70.21%

+31.04%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-10.47%

-15.77%

+5.30%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-17.11%

-41.36%

+24.25%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-17.11%

-45.75%

+28.64%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-28.40%

-45.75%

+17.35%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-3.59%

-3.16%

-0.43%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-7.12%

-19.95%

+12.83%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

4.37%

4.33%

+0.04%

Volatility

XLV vs. SOXX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) is 4.90%, while iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) has a volatility of 19.42%. This indicates that XLV 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

XLVSOXXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.90%

19.42%

-14.52%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

10.60%

31.46%

-20.86%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

15.03%

37.35%

-22.32%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

14.75%

36.73%

-21.98%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

16.58%

33.77%

-17.19%

XLV vs. SOXX - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

XLV vs. SOXX - Dividend Comparison

XLV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.63%, 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%
XLV
State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF		1.63%1.60%1.67%1.59%1.47%1.33%1.49%2.17%1.57%1.47%1.60%1.43%

Frequently Asked Questions

XLV and SOXX have a correlation of 0.13, 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 XLV (4.90%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLV dropped -39.17% vs SOXX's -70.21%.

On 10-year performance, SOXX leads with 35.55% vs 9.81% for XLV. On fees, XLV is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLV has been the lower-risk option at 4.90%. 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 9.81%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

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

XLV has the higher dividend yield at 1.63%, compared with 0.28% for SOXX.

XLV is categorized as Health & Biotech Equities, while SOXX is Semiconductors. XLV tracks Health Care 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 XLV and 0.34% for SOXX.

SOXX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.43 vs 0.97), 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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