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ETF Comparison

LUMA vs SOXX: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?

A head-to-head comparison of KraneShares Photonic and Optical ETF and iShares Semiconductor ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.

Data updated September 18, 2026

Visual comparison

Key metrics

Projected income on $10K

Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.

Total returns

100% reinvested · ex-date convention. Period returns use this fixed assumption, independent of chart settings.

LUMA has outpaced SOXX over the shared window since Jul 2026, posting a 4.26% total return against -3.94%. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.

Total return and risk statistics by fund. Each row is one fund; each column is one period or statistic.
SymbolSince Jul 2026
LUMA4.26%
SOXX-3.94%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of September 18, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; windows of one year or longer are annualized. “Since Jul 2026” measures every fund from July 15, 2026 — the start of shared available history — so all funds share one comparison window.

Side-by-side snapshot

Side-by-side snapshot. Each row is one metric; each column is one fund.
MetricLUMASOXX
Full nameKraneShares Photonic and Optical ETFiShares Semiconductor ETF
IssuerKraneSharesiShares
Last Close$25.19 as of September 18, 2026$533.07 as of September 18, 2026
Distribution rate—0.24%
Distribution Safety Score™ —66
Safety-Adjusted Yield —0.16%
Expense ratio1.00%0.33%
AUM$9.71M$42.3B
Distribution frequencyAnnualQuarterly
Underlying index—ICE Semiconductor Index
ObjectiveSeeks capital appreciation by investing in public and private companies worldwide that build photonic and optical hardware — optical interconnects, transceivers, fiber-optic cables, lasers, and other light-based infrastructure moving data for AI and the modern digital economy.Tracks the ICE Semiconductor Index of US-listed semiconductor companies.
Asset classEquityEquity
Inception date07/14/202607/10/2001
Beta—2.33
Last dividend—$0.325 payable today
Ex-dividend date—09/15/2026

— Distribution rate, Safety-Adjusted Yield, last dividend, and ex-dividend date are not yet available because LUMA launched July 2026; these fields will populate after the first distribution.

Bottom lineWe won't call this one: LUMA launched July 2026, so there is not yet a track record to compare. Compare the strategy, cost and holdings in the sections above and treat any performance figures for the newer ETF as provisional. What is already clear from the numbers above: the two do not cost the same — SOXX charges 0.33% against 1.00% for LUMA, and on funds tracking the same thing that gap compounds every year you hold.

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See how much monthly income a hypothetical investment would generate in each ETF at current yields.

KraneShares
ETFs36
Total AUM$8.68B

ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.

KraneShares is known for pioneering thematic and alternative ETF strategies that capture emerging trends and specialized market segments. The issuer's fund lineup spans income-focused strategies, including covered call and high-yield approaches, alongside thematic funds targeting areas like artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency, cannabis, and other innovative sectors. KraneShares distinguishes itself through a diversified portfolio of specialized ETFs designed for investors seeking exposure beyond traditional asset classes, with a particular emphasis on capturing opportunities in evolving industries and alternative income generation strategies.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on LUMA.

See all KraneShares ETFs
iShares
ETFs466
Total AUM$4551B

ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.

iShares is one of the largest ETF providers globally, known for offering a broad, diversified lineup of exchange-traded funds across multiple asset classes and investment strategies. The company operates 215 funds spanning 15 distinct families, including popular offerings in dividend income, covered call strategies, bonds, equities, ESG-focused investments, and factor-based approaches, with widely-held tickers like AGG (bond), ACWI (global equity), and AOA (allocation). iShares is characterized by its comprehensive fund ecosystem that serves both core portfolio holdings and specialized investment strategies, making it a prominent player for investors seeking both traditional and alternative income-generating ETF solutions.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on SOXX.

See all iShares ETFs

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Quick verdict

LUMA (KraneShares Photonic and Optical ETF) and SOXX (iShares Semiconductor ETF) are both ETFs, but they take different approaches.

SOXX currently shows a 0.24% distribution yield. LUMA has not yet established a full distribution history, so a comparable yield figure is not available.

SOXX is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.33% compared to 1.00%.

SOXX has $42.3B in assets vs $9.71M for LUMA, but LUMA only launched July 2026 — AUM comparisons will become more meaningful as it builds a track record.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, LUMA has no reported distribution yield yet, so a monthly income estimate is not available, while SOXX would produce $2.00/month, at current distribution rates.

LUMA yield—
SOXX yield0.24%

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, LUMA would cost approximately $1,000 in fees vs $330 for SOXX (simplified, not compounded). The $670.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

LUMA ER1.00%
SOXX ER0.33%

Strategy & risk

LUMA is an ETF built around technology exposure, while SOXX tracks ICE Semiconductor Index.

LUMA beta—
SOXX beta2.33

Fund details

LUMA is managed by KraneShares (launched 07/14/2026) with $9.71M in assets. SOXX is managed by iShares (launched 07/10/2001) with $42.3B in assets.

LUMA AUM$9.71M
SOXX AUM$42.3B
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Frequently asked questions

Which of LUMA or SOXX pays more dividend income?

SOXX currently reports a distribution yield, while LUMA has not yet established a full distribution history. A direct income comparison is not yet meaningful — check back once both funds have published several consecutive distributions.

What is the difference between LUMA and SOXX?

LUMA (KraneShares Photonic and Optical ETF) is an ETF built around technology exposure, while SOXX (iShares Semiconductor ETF) tracks ICE Semiconductor Index. They are issued by KraneShares and iShares respectively.

Can I hold both LUMA and SOXX?

Yes — nothing prevents holding both. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on how much the underlying exposures overlap, which isn't fully measurable from the data on this page; review each security's holdings, sector, and strategy before treating them as complementary.

Which has lower fees, LUMA or SOXX?

LUMA has an expense ratio of 1.00% while SOXX charges 0.33%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.

How much income does $10,000 in LUMA vs SOXX generate?

At current rates, LUMA has not established a distribution history yet, so a monthly income estimate is not available. The same in SOXX would produce about $2.00 per month ($24.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, LUMA or SOXX?

LUMA has outpaced SOXX over the shared window since Jul 2026, posting a 4.26% total return against -3.94%. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

More comparisons to explore

LUMA vs SOXX — at a glance

Generated September 19, 2026.

Overview

LUMA is a narrowly focused ETF that invests in photonic and optical hardware companies—the physical infrastructure moving data through fiber optics, transceivers, and light-based systems. SOXX tracks the broad US semiconductor industry via an index of chip designers and manufacturers. The key distinction: LUMA bets on a specific enabling technology within the semiconductor supply chain, while SOXX holds the wider chip ecosystem itself.

How they differ

LUMA targets photonics as a thematic play on AI data infrastructure, whereas SOXX provides diversified exposure to the entire semiconductor manufacturing and design sector. That's the strategic split: LUMA is a concentrated conviction bet on optical components; SOXX is a rules-based index tracker.

Scale differs sharply. SOXX holds $42.3B in assets with 25 years of history; LUMA is brand-new with only $9.71M and 2 months. SOXX's 0.33% expense ratio is roughly one-third of LUMA's 1.00%, reflecting SOXX's index-tracking model and institutional size.

Income is minimal in both. SOXX yields 0.24%, paid quarterly. Volatility in SOXX is pronounced: the fund carries a 2.33 beta, indicating roughly 2.3x the swing of the broad market, typical for semiconductor stocks.

Who each is best for

LUMA: Investors seeking concentrated exposure to the emerging photonics and optical infrastructure segment—fits portfolios with conviction around data-center buildout and AI-driven demand for fiber-optic capacity, accepting higher single-theme risk for potential upside in a narrower addressable market.

SOXX: Investors wanting broad-based US semiconductor sector access through a low-cost index vehicle—fits longer time horizons where cost efficiency and trading liquidity matter for larger allocation sizes.

Key risks to know

  • Concentration and theme risk (LUMA): Photonics is a subset of semiconductor supply chain. If optical data-center infrastructure falters or demand shifts to alternative technologies, the fund has limited diversification within its portfolio to offset losses.
  • Semiconductor cyclicality (SOXX): Chip stocks are highly cyclical and sensitive to inventory swings, capex cycles, and geopolitical supply-chain disruption. SOXX's 2.33 amplifies downside in industry downturns.
  • Overlapping sector exposure: Both funds hold semiconductor-related companies, though LUMA's optical suppliers may feed data through SOXX's chip manufacturers, creating correlated downside if semiconductor demand weakens across both layers.

Bottom line

SOXX offers low-cost, liquid access to a mature, established sector with two decades of track record; LUMA is a nascent thematic bet on a specific technology within semiconductors, commanding higher fees and illiquidity for higher conviction potential. If you want diversified semiconductor exposure with minimal costs, SOXX's scale and index approach stand out; if you're building a specialized photonics allocation and accept early-stage risk, LUMA's narrow focus may fit your portfolio. Past performance does not predict future results.

AI-generated analysis for educational purposes only. Verify important details independently; past performance does not guarantee future results.

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