XT vs. SOXX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XT (iShares Future Exponential Technologies ETF) and SOXX (iShares Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XT is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Exponential Technologies Index (Net), while SOXX is a Semiconductors fund tracking the NYSE Semiconductor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XT returned 14.70%/yr vs 35.79%/yr for SOXX. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. XT charges 0.46%/yr vs 0.34%/yr for SOXX.

Performance

XT vs. SOXX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XT achieves a 20.20% return, which is significantly lower than SOXX's 104.57% return. Over the past 10 years, XT has underperformed SOXX with an annualized return of 14.70%, while SOXX has yielded a comparatively higher 35.79% annualized return.

XT

• 1D: -0.47%
• 1M: 9.47%
• YTD: 20.20%
• 6M: 20.54%
• 1Y: 45.88%
• 3Y*: 18.83%
• 5Y*: 8.42%
• 10Y*: 14.70%

SOXX

• 1D: 1.76%
• 1M: 33.25%
• YTD: 104.57%
• 6M: 99.43%
• 1Y: 190.05%
• 3Y*: 57.39%
• 5Y*: 34.50%
• 10Y*: 35.79%

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

XT vs. SOXX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XT iShares Future Exponential Technologies ETF	20.20%	26.28%	0.29%	27.02%	-27.83%	16.43%	35.10%	30.74%	-4.93%	33.71%
SOXX iShares Semiconductor ETF	104.57%	40.74%	12.92%	67.12%	-35.09%	44.09%	52.72%	62.42%	-6.49%	39.79%

Correlation

The correlation between XT and SOXX is 0.78, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 25, 2015	0.83

The correlation between XT and SOXX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

XT vs. SOXX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XT	SOXX
Technology	43.5%	100.0%
Healthcare	23.4%	-
Industrials	10.1%	-
Consumer Cyclical	7.9%	-
Communication Services	5.2%	-
Utilities	4.6%	-
Financial Services	3.3%	-
Basic Materials	2.0%	-
Energy	0.3%	-
Real Estate	0.0%	-
Consumer Defensive	0.0%	-

Return for Risk

XT vs. SOXX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

XT

XT Risk / Return Rank: 84
XT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
XT Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
XT Omega Ratio Rank: 79
XT Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
XT Martin Ratio Rank: 86

SOXX

SOXX Risk / Return Rank: 97
SOXX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
SOXX Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
SOXX Omega Ratio Rank: 95
SOXX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
SOXX Martin Ratio Rank: 97

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.

XT vs. SOXX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Future Exponential Technologies ETF (XT) 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.

	XT	SOXX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.89	5.61	-2.72
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.83	5.36	-1.53
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.74	-0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.41	12.13	-7.72
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.51	46.43	-27.92
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XT vs. SOXX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XT Sharpe Ratio is 2.89, which is lower than the SOXX Sharpe Ratio of 5.61. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XT 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	XT	SOXX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.89	5.61	-2.72
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41	0.96	-0.55
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73	1.07	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.66	0.45	+0.21

Drawdowns

XT vs. SOXX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XT drawdown since its inception was -34.41%, smaller than the maximum SOXX drawdown of -70.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XT and SOXX.

Drawdown Indicators

	XT	SOXX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.41%	-70.21%	+35.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.45%	-15.77%	+5.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.09%	-41.36%	+19.27%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.41%	-45.75%	+11.34%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.41%	-45.75%	+11.34%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.47%	0.00%	-0.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.41%	-19.97%	+12.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.49%	4.11%	-1.62%

Volatility

XT vs. SOXX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Future Exponential Technologies ETF (XT) is 4.85%, while iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) has a volatility of 14.03%. This indicates that XT 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.

Volatility by Period

	XT	SOXX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.85%	14.03%	-9.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.94%	27.35%	-15.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.99%	34.18%	-18.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.76%	36.11%	-15.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.08%	33.43%	-13.35%

XT vs. SOXX - Expense Ratio Comparison

XT has a 0.46% expense ratio, which is higher than SOXX's 0.34% expense ratio.

Dividends

XT vs. SOXX - Dividend Comparison

XT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.61%, more than SOXX's 0.27% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SOXX iShares Semiconductor ETF	0.27%	0.57%	0.67%	0.78%	1.26%	0.64%	0.81%	1.23%	1.37%	0.90%	1.08%	1.29%
XT iShares Future Exponential Technologies ETF	6.61%	7.95%	0.66%	0.41%	0.78%	0.84%	0.77%	1.55%	1.40%	0.97%	1.37%	1.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XT and SOXX in my portfolio?

XT and SOXX have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XT or SOXX?

SOXX has higher volatility (14.03%) compared to XT (4.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XT dropped -34.41% vs SOXX's -70.21%.

Which ETF is better, XT or SOXX?

On 10-year performance, SOXX leads with 35.79% vs 14.70% for XT. On fees, SOXX is cheaper at 0.34% per year. On volatility, XT has been the lower-risk option at 4.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XT or SOXX?

Over the 10-year period, SOXX has performed better with a 35.79% return vs 14.70%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XT or SOXX?

SOXX is cheaper with a 0.34% expense ratio, compared with 0.46% for XT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XT or SOXX?

XT has the higher dividend yield at 6.61%, compared with 0.27% for SOXX.

What is the main difference between XT and SOXX?

XT is categorized as Technology Equities, while SOXX is Semiconductors. XT tracks Morningstar Exponential Technologies Index (Net), while SOXX tracks NYSE Semiconductor Index. Their fees differ too: 0.46% for XT and 0.34% for SOXX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SOXX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.61 vs 2.89), 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.