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ETF Comparison

SMH vs SOXQ vs SOXX: Same Industry, Three Semi Indexes

A side-by-side of Invesco PHLX Semiconductor, iShares Semiconductor, and VanEck Semiconductor covering construction, cost, and concentration.

Updated October 16, 2026

How these figures are calculated: methodology.

Best for

  • SMHInvestors who want broad equity exposure.
  • SOXQInvestors who want broad equity exposure.
  • SOXXInvestors who want broad equity exposure.

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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. YTD and 1Y are cumulative period returns; 3Y, 5Y, and 10Y are annualized. The shared Since-start window is annualized only when it covers at least one year.

SOXX tops the group over the trailing twelve months with a 71.28% total return, against SMH at 57.72% and SOXQ at 64.38%. Across the 5-year window, SMH has the strongest compounding at 33.47% a year. 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.
SymbolYTD cumulative1Y cumulative3Y annualized5Y annualizedSince Jun 2021Volatility Sharpe Sortino Max drawdown
SMH49.89%57.72%53.89%33.47%32.07%37.2%1.051.49-35.7%
SOXQ57.58%64.38%47.95%28.45%27.28%40.0%0.881.24-39.4%
SOXX64.12%71.28%46.02%27.61%26.66%39.9%0.851.20-41.4%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of October 16, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative period returns; 3Y, 5Y, and 10Y are annualized. The shared Since-start window is annualized only when it covers at least one year. “Since Jun 2021” measures every fund from June 11, 2021 — the start of shared available history — so all funds share one comparison window. Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily total returns over the trailing 3 years. Sharpe and Sortino divide the annualized return in excess of the risk-free rate by, respectively, that volatility and the downside deviation (both over the trailing 3 years) — higher is better. Max drawdown is the largest peak-to-trough total-return decline over the same window — shallower is better.

Side-by-side snapshot

Side-by-side snapshot. Each row is one metric; each column is one fund.
MetricSMHSOXQSOXX
Full nameVanEck Semiconductor ETFInvesco PHLX Semiconductor ETFiShares Semiconductor ETF
IssuerVanEckInvescoiShares
Underlying indexMVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 IndexPHLX SOX Semiconductor Sector IndexICE Semiconductor Index
Last Close$539.79 as of October 16, 2026$87.64 as of October 16, 2026$493.39 as of October 16, 2026
Distribution rate0.20%0.38%0.26%
Trailing 12-month yield0.20%0.34%0.25%
Distribution Safety Score™ 798967
Safety-Adjusted Yield 0.16%0.34%0.17%
Expense ratio0.35%0.19%0.33%
AUM$65.7B$2.80B$39.3B
Distribution frequencyAnnualQuarterlyQuarterly
ObjectiveTrack the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index.Tracks the PHLX SOX Semiconductor Sector Index of US-listed semiconductor companies.Tracks the ICE Semiconductor Index of US-listed semiconductor companies.
Asset classEquityEquityEquity
Inception date12/20/201106/11/202107/10/2001
Beta2.02.232.28
Last dividend$1.105$0.084$0.325
Ex-dividend date12/22/202509/21/202609/15/2026
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VanEck
ETFs86
Total AUM$160B

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

VanEck is known for offering specialized and thematic ETFs across a broad range of asset classes, from traditional equities and fixed income to alternatives and digital assets. The firm's lineup encompasses income-focused funds, sector strategies, commodity exposure, municipal bonds, and innovative thematic products covering areas like blockchain, artificial intelligence, and emerging markets. VanEck serves both income-oriented and growth-focused investors with a diversified product suite that extends beyond conventional equity and bond offerings.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on SMH.

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Invesco
ETFs247
Total AUM$983B

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

Invesco is a major ETF provider known for offering a comprehensive lineup spanning multiple asset classes and investment strategies. The company specializes in income-focused products including dividend, covered call, and bond strategies, while also maintaining broad exposure across equity, factor-based, thematic, and ESG investing themes. Invesco's portfolio ranges from index-tracking funds to alternatives and specialized offerings like digital assets and BulletShares, making it one of the more expansive ETF families available to investors.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on SOXQ.

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iShares
ETFs467
Total AUM$4.64T

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

iShares, operated by BlackRock, is one of the largest and most established ETF providers globally, known for offering broad, liquid index-tracking funds across nearly all asset classes and investment styles. The lineup encompasses a comprehensive range of strategies including core equity and bond exposure, dividend and income-focused funds, covered call strategies, ESG and thematic investments, factor-based approaches, alternatives, commodities, and municipal bonds, serving both individual and institutional investors. With numerous popular ticker symbols and extensive diversification across geographies, sectors, and investment objectives, iShares provides one of the market's widest selections of ETFs for building diversified portfolios.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on SOXX.

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Quick verdict

SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF), SOXQ (Invesco PHLX Semiconductor ETF), SOXX (iShares Semiconductor ETF) are dividend ETFs that take different approaches.

SOXQ offers the highest reported yield at 0.38%, followed by SOXX at 0.26%, SMH at 0.20%.

SOXQ is the cheapest with an expense ratio of 0.19%, compared to 0.33% for SOXX and 0.35% for SMH.

SMH is the largest fund by assets ($65.7B), but assets alone do not establish trading costs or liquidity.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment: SMH generates ~$20.00 cash per distribution, SOXQ generates ~$9.50 cash per distribution, SOXX generates ~$6.50 cash per distribution at current distribution rates.

SMH yield0.20%
SOXQ yield0.38%
SOXX yield0.26%

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000: SMH costs ~$350, SOXQ costs ~$190, SOXX costs ~$330 in fees (simplified, not compounded).

SMH ER0.35%
SOXQ ER0.19%
SOXX ER0.33%

Strategy & risk

SMH tracks MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index with a technology approach; SOXQ tracks PHLX SOX Semiconductor Sector Index; SOXX tracks ICE Semiconductor Index.

SMH beta2.0
SOXQ beta2.23
SOXX beta2.28

Fund details

SMH is managed by VanEck (launched 12/20/2011) with $65.7B in assets. SOXQ is managed by Invesco (launched 06/11/2021) with $2.80B in assets. SOXX is managed by iShares (launched 07/10/2001) with $39.3B in assets.

SMH AUM$65.7B
SOXQ AUM$2.80B
SOXX AUM$39.3B
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Frequently asked questions

SOXQ vs SOXX vs SMH: how do the three semiconductor ETFs differ?

All three concentrate in semiconductors. SOXQ (Invesco PHLX Semiconductor ETF) tracks PHLX SOX Semiconductor Sector Index. SOXX (iShares Semiconductor ETF) tracks ICE Semiconductor Index. SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) tracks MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index. Cost is 0.19%, 0.33%, and 0.35% as of October 2026. Holdings overlap is high; index rules, concentration, and cost are the live differences.

Which of SMH, SOXQ, SOXX is best for dividend income?

It depends on your goals. SOXQ currently offers the highest reported distribution yield, which means more income per dollar invested. However, a lower-yield fund may offer better total return or lower volatility, and funds without an established distribution history have no comparable yield to evaluate. Consider your time horizon and risk tolerance.

What is the difference between SMH, SOXQ, SOXX?

SMH (VanEck Semiconductor ETF) tracks MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index with a technology approach, issued by VanEck. SOXQ (Invesco PHLX Semiconductor ETF) tracks PHLX SOX Semiconductor Sector Index, issued by Invesco. SOXX (iShares Semiconductor ETF) tracks ICE Semiconductor Index, issued by iShares.

Can I hold SMH, SOXQ, SOXX together?

Yes — nothing prevents holding them together. 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 of SMH, SOXQ and SOXX is safest?

By Dividend Vision's Distribution Safety Score — a rules-based 0–100 estimate of how resilient a distribution looks, where higher is safer — SOXQ scores 89, SMH scores 79, SOXX scores 67, so SOXQ's payout currently looks the more resilient of the group. SMH has also shown lower price volatility (beta 2.00 vs 2.28 for SOXX). No score makes an investment risk-free — treat this as a screening signal, not a guarantee.

Which has the lowest fees among SMH, SOXQ, SOXX?

SMH has an expense ratio of 0.35%, SOXQ has an expense ratio of 0.19%, SOXX has an expense ratio of 0.33%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.

How much income does $10,000 generate in each?

$10,000 in SMH yields ~$20.00 cash per distribution ($20.00/year). $10,000 in SOXQ yields ~$9.50 cash per distribution ($38.00/year). $10,000 in SOXX yields ~$6.50 cash per distribution ($26.00/year).

More comparisons to explore

SMH vs SOXQ vs SOXX — at a glance

Generated October 17, 2026.

Overview

SMH, SOXQ, and SOXX are all equity ETFs that track different semiconductor sector indexes composed of U.S.-listed chip companies. The three differ in their underlying index construction (MVIS vs. PHLX SOX vs. ICE), fee structure, asset base, and distribution yield. All three are passive index trackers with high market sensitivity—each carries a beta around 2.0–2.28—meaning they amplify broader market moves.

How they differ

SMH tracks the narrowest universe: the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index, which focuses on 25 companies.

On costs, SOXQ has the lowest expense ratio at 0.19%, followed by SOXX at 0.33% and SMH at 0.35%—a gap of 0.16% percentage points between the highest and lowest. SMH is the largest by far, with $65.7B in assets, followed by SOXX at $39.3B and SOXQ at $2.80B. Beta ranges from SMH's 2.0 to SOXQ's 2.23, indicating SOXQ amplifies market swings slightly more aggressively.

SOXQ: Suits investors who prioritize lower fees—its 0.19% expense ratio undercuts SMH by 0.16% percentage points—and are comfortable with smaller AUM and a shorter inception date that began in 2021.

SOXX: Fits investors seeking a balance of broad semiconductor exposure, lower costs than SMH, and an established 25 years-year operating history; $39.3B in AUM offers meaningful scale without the largest fund's footprint.

Key risks to know

  • Sector concentration: All three expose investors entirely to semiconductors, a cyclical industry dependent on capital spending and end-demand trends. Semiconductor stocks can experience steep drawdowns during downturns or inventory corrections.
  • High beta amplification: With betas ranging from 2.0 to 2.23, these funds magnify broad equity market declines, meaning a 20% market drop could translate to a 40%+ loss in any of these ETFs.
  • Index composition divergence: SMH's focus on 25 large-cap names concentrates risk differently from SOXQ and SOXX's broader baskets. Top holding overlap among the three is likely high, but actual weight differences may create meaningful performance gaps during sector rotations.
  • Modest yield insufficient for capital erosion offset: Yields ranging from 0.20% to 0.38% fall well below long-term equity return expectations, so distributions do not offset NAV declines during downturns and provide minimal income cushion.

Bottom line

If you value the deepest liquidity and longest operating history, SMH stands out; if cost efficiency is the priority, SOXQ's 0.19% expense ratio offers savings over competitors. SOXX bridges the gap—lower fees than SMH, broader index exposure, and decades of track record at a mid-sized asset base. All three carry substantial downside amplification risk due to their high betas and will decline sharply in risk-off environments. 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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Dividend growth vs. high yield Yield on cost, explained How expense ratios eat returns

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These comparisons follow the Dividend Vision methodology.