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ETF Comparison

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

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

Data updated September 3, 2026

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

SOXX tops the group over the trailing twelve months with a 107.78% total return, against SMH at 93.49% and SOXQ at 103.31%. Across the 5-year window, SMH has the strongest compounding at 33.24% 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.
SymbolYTD1Y3Y5YSince Jun 2021Volatility Sharpe Sortino Max drawdown
SMH48.03%93.49%53.04%33.24%33.49%36.9%1.041.47-35.7%
SOXQ54.45%103.31%46.60%28.25%28.44%39.5%0.861.21-39.4%
SOXX60.27%107.78%44.36%27.37%27.75%39.4%0.821.16-41.4%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of September 3, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; windows of one year or longer are annualized. “Since Jun 2021” measures every fund from June 11, 2021 — the youngest fund's first trading day — 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$552.60 as of September 3, 2026$89.40 as of September 3, 2026$502.20 as of September 3, 2026
Distribution yield0.20%0.34%0.23%
Distribution Safety Score™ 939080
Safety-Adjusted Yield 0.19%0.31%0.18%
Expense ratio0.35%0.19%0.33%
AUM$66.4B$2.96B$40.8B
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
Beta2.052.272.32
Last dividend$1.105$0.077$0.283
Ex-dividend date12/22/202506/22/202606/15/2026
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VanEck
ETFs85
Total AUM$165B

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 diverse asset classes, including commodities, digital assets, and sector-specific investments. The firm's 22-fund lineup spans income-generating options, covered call strategies, and growth-focused equity funds, with popular tickers including GDX (gold miners), SMH (semiconductors), MOAT (competitive advantage stocks), and HODL (bitcoin). VanEck distinguishes itself through niche exposure areas such as digital assets, commodities, and thematic investing strategies, complemented by traditional bond and municipal bond offerings.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on SMH.

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Invesco
ETFs246
Total AUM$992B

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
ETFs466
Total AUM$4642B

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.

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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 0.34%, followed by SOXX at 0.23%, 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 ($66.4B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment: SMH generates ~$1.67/month, SOXQ generates ~$2.83/month, SOXX generates ~$1.92/month at current distribution rates.

SMH yield0.20%
SOXQ yield0.34%
SOXX yield0.23%

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 beta2.05
SOXQ beta2.27
SOXX beta2.32

Fund details

SMH is managed by VanEck (launched 12/20/2011) with $66.4B in assets. SOXQ is managed by Invesco (launched 06/11/2021) with $2.96B in assets. SOXX is managed by iShares (launched 07/10/2001) with $40.8B in assets.

SMH AUM$66.4B
SOXQ AUM$2.96B
SOXX AUM$40.8B
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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 September 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 — SMH scores 93, SOXQ scores 90, SOXX scores 80, so SMH's payout currently looks the more resilient of the group. SMH has also shown lower price volatility (beta 2.05 vs 2.32 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 ~$1.67/month ($20.00/year). $10,000 in SOXQ yields ~$2.83/month ($34.00/year). $10,000 in SOXX yields ~$1.92/month ($23.00/year).

More comparisons to explore

SMH vs SOXQ vs SOXX — at a glance

Generated August 29, 2026.

Overview

All three securities are equity ETFs tracking US-listed semiconductor companies, but they differ in index composition, fee structure, and scale. The funds offer distinct combinations of cost, distribution yield, and beta exposure to semiconductor sector volatility.

How they differ

SOXQ carries the lowest expense ratio at 0.19%, compared to SOXX's 0.33% and SMH's 0.35%, making it the cheapest entry point for sector exposure. However, SMH is by far the largest with $66.4B in assets, SOXX is second at $40.8B, and SOXQ trails at $2.96B—a meaningful scale difference that affects liquidity and tracking precision. SMH also reports the lowest beta at 2.05, suggesting slightly less volatility relative to the broader market than SOXQ (2.27) or SOXX (2.32), though all three amplify market swings significantly.

Who each is best for

SMH: Fits investors prioritizing broad semiconductor exposure with the deepest liquidity and the lowest volatility among the three, especially those comfortable with annual distributions.

SOXQ: Designed for cost-conscious allocators seeking the lowest fee structure and quarterly income timing, accepting smaller asset base and higher beta for the fee advantage.

SOXX: Matches investors wanting the longest-established track record (inception 2001) combined with large asset base and moderate fees, plus quarterly distributions, without seeking the absolute lowest cost.

Key risks to know

  • Semiconductor cyclicality and earnings sensitivity. All three funds concentrate exposure to a sector prone to demand shocks, inventory cycles, and geopolitical supply-chain disruptions. Downturns in chip demand can drive sharp losses across the entire group simultaneously.
  • High beta amplification. All three exhibit beta above 2.0, meaning a 10% market decline likely produces a 20%+ loss in the fund. This magnified downside may lead to significant drawdowns during broader equity selloffs.
  • Index composition divergence. SMH's focus on 25 holdings creates narrower, more concentrated exposure than the broader PHLX SOX or ICE indexes underlying SOXQ and SOXX, increasing single-stock or subsector risk if large holdings underperform.
  • Asset-size liquidity gap. SOXQ's $2.96B AUM is substantially smaller than competitors, which may result in wider bid-ask spreads and higher portfolio impact costs during large trades, even though all three remain reasonably liquid ETFs. All three offer semiconductor sector exposure with growth orientation and minimal yield, so the choice turns on fee preference, liquidity tolerance, and beta comfort rather than income generation. Past performance of semiconductor holdings 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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