SOXX vs SPY
SOXX vs SPY
iShares Semiconductor ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Quick Verdict
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SOXX delivered stronger 1-year returns. SPY offers more diversification with 503 holdings.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | SOXX | SPY | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.34% | 0.09% | |
| AUM | $42.6B | $789.1B | |
| Dividend Yield | 0.23% | 1.01% | |
| Holdings | 34 | 505 | |
| YTD Return | +73.38% | +13.79% | |
| 1Y Return | +126.63% | +23.66% | |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +48.30% | +21.40% | |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +29.62% | +13.37% | |
| Volatility (annualized) | 30.4% | 15.3% | |
| Max Drawdown | -70.2% | -56.5% | |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | State Street Investment Management | |
| Category | Equity | Equity | |
| Inception | Jul 10, 2001 | Jan 22, 1993 |
SOXX vs SPY Performance
iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) is a ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year SOXX returned +126.63% while SPY returned +23.66%. Year to date, SOXX is up 73.38% versus a gain of 13.79% for SPY.
Over three years, SOXX compounded at +48.30% per year against +21.40% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +29.62% and +13.37% respectively. Across the full 25-year window we track, SOXX has the edge at +14.14% annualized vs +8.85%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SOXX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 30.4% compared with 15.3% for SPY. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -70.2% for SOXX and -56.5% for SPY. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.78. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SOXX charges 0.34% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $34 vs $9 annually, a gap of $25 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SOXX currently yields 0.23% against 1.01% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
SOXX and SPY share 18 holdings out of 516 unique holdings combined, representing a 17.7% weight overlap.
Moderate overlap means holding both could provide meaningful diversification benefits.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SOXX | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDA | 7.34% | 7.31% | 0.03% |
| AMD | 8.47% | 1.39% | 7.08% |
| MU | 8.03% | 1.71% | 6.32% |
| AVGO | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| INTC | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| AMAT | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| KLAC | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| MRVL | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| LRCX | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| TXN | Pro | Pro | Pro |
See all 10 holdings SOXX shares with SPY Exact weights in each fund and the difference, for every overlapping position. Get FundXLS Pro: $29/moFirst 500 subscribers, then $49/mo. Cancel anytime. | |||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, SOXX or SPY?
SOXX has an expense ratio of 0.34% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $25 per year of difference.
Which performed better, SOXX or SPY?
Over the past year SOXX returned +126.63% vs +23.66% for SPY, so SOXX leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (25 years), SOXX annualized +14.14% vs +8.85% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Which is riskier, SOXX or SPY?
SOXX has been the more volatile fund at 30.4% annualized versus 15.3% for SPY. Worst drawdown: SOXX -70.2% vs SPY -56.5%.
Should I hold both SOXX and SPY?
SOXX and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.78, so combining them can provide real diversification depending on your allocation goals.
What is the holdings overlap between SOXX and SPY?
SOXX and SPY share 18 common holdings with a 17.7% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 516 unique securities.
Which pays a higher dividend, SOXX or SPY?
SOXX yields 0.23% while SPY yields 1.01%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Popular ETF Comparisons
Get Full ETF Analytics
Access complete holdings data, overlap analysis, screener tools, and more with FundXLS.