Generated August 8, 2026.
Overview
PSI and SOXX are both semiconductor-focused equity ETFs tracking US-listed chip companies, but they differ in size, cost, and underlying methodology. SOXX tracks the ICE Semiconductor Index as a passive fund, while PSI's strategy and index are not specified in available data. SOXX is substantially larger ($47.6B vs. $2.50B AUM) and charges a lower expense ratio, making it the dominant fund in the category.
How they differ
The biggest distinction is scale and index methodology: SOXX holds $47.6B in assets and explicitly tracks the ICE Semiconductor Index, whereas PSI's $2.50B AUM and underlying approach are not detailed. Cost matters here — SOXX's 0.35% expense ratio beats PSI's 0.57%, a 22 basis-point gap that compounds over decades. Both funds are volatile (beta of 2.26 for PSI, 2.24 for SOXX), but PSI pays out almost nothing (0.04% distribution rate) compared to SOXX's 0.21%, suggesting PSI tilts toward capital appreciation or holds lower-yielding names.
Who each is best for
PSI: Fits investors seeking pure semiconductor-sector exposure with minimal current income, emphasizing long-term capital growth in a high-beta technology pocket.
SOXX: Designed for investors wanting broad, transparent semiconductor-index exposure with the cost efficiency and liquidity that come with a significantly larger, passive fund structure.
Key risks to know
- Semiconductor-sector concentration. Both funds are entirely exposed to chip companies, which face cyclical demand swings, geopolitical supply-chain disruption (particularly Taiwan exposure), and rapid technological obsolescence. A sector-wide downturn would affect both simultaneously.
- High beta and volatility. Both funds carry beta near 2.24–2.26, meaning they tend to fall roughly twice as fast as the broad market during downturns. Investors uncomfortable with 40%+ drawdowns in severe bear markets should size accordingly.
- PSI's strategy opacity. The underlying index and weighting methodology for PSI are not specified in available data, making it difficult to assess whether it tracks the same universe as SOXX or applies a different tilt. This opacity could mask hidden tracking error or sector tilts.
- SOXX's concentration risk in mega-cap names. At $47.6B AUM tracking a semiconductor index, SOXX likely holds significant positions in the largest chip firms (NVIDIA, Intel, Broadcom, etc.), amplifying exposure to individual company earnings shocks and valuation swings in the sector's heavyweights.
Bottom line
SOXX offers a cheaper, larger, and more transparent path to semiconductor exposure if you want a passive index approach; PSI might appeal to investors willing to trade higher fees and opacity for a potentially different strategy, though that strategy isn't documented here. Both are volatile bets on the chip cycle — suitable only for investors with high risk tolerance and a long time horizon. Past performance in semiconductors doesn't predict future returns, especially given rapid product cycles and geopolitical risk.
AI-generated analysis for educational purposes only. Verify important details independently; past performance does not guarantee future results.