DV
Dividend Vision

ETF Comparison

SOXQ vs SOXX: Which Semiconductor Index Fund Costs Less?

A head-to-head comparison of the Invesco PHLX Semiconductor ETF and the iShares Semiconductor ETF covering cost, index design, concentration, and overlap.

Data updated September 4, 2026

Best for

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

Jump to the side-by-side numbers

Visual comparison

Key metrics

Projected income on $10K

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

Total returns

SOXQ has lagged SOXX over the trailing twelve months, posting a 110.56% total return against 116.11%. The picture flips over 5 years, though — SOXQ has compounded at 28.94% a year, ahead of SOXX at 28.06%. 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
SOXQ59.63%110.56%48.17%28.94%29.24%39.5%0.881.25-39.4%
SOXX65.90%116.11%45.98%28.06%28.58%39.4%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 September 4, 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.
MetricSOXQSOXX
Full nameInvesco PHLX Semiconductor ETFiShares Semiconductor ETF
IssuerInvescoiShares
Underlying indexPHLX SOX Semiconductor Sector IndexICE Semiconductor Index
Last Close$92.40 as of September 4, 2026$519.86 as of September 4, 2026
Distribution rate0.33%0.22%
Distribution Safety Score™ 8980
Safety-Adjusted Yield 0.29%0.18%
Expense ratio0.19%0.33%
AUM$2.97B$40.8B
Distribution frequencyQuarterlyQuarterly
ObjectiveTracks the PHLX SOX Semiconductor Sector Index of US-listed semiconductor companies.Tracks the ICE Semiconductor Index of US-listed semiconductor companies.
Asset classEquityEquity
Inception date06/11/202107/10/2001
Beta2.272.32
Last dividend$0.077$0.283
Ex-dividend date06/22/202606/15/2026

Bottom lineSOXQ and SOXX are both for investors who want broad equity exposure — so strategy isn't the deciding factor here. Cost is: SOXQ charges 0.19% against 0.33% for SOXX, and between two funds this similar that gap comes straight out of your return every year you hold.

SOXQ vs SOXX: two semiconductor indexes, heavy overlap

These are not different sector bets. Both hold the same chip giants. Fee, index rules, and trading size are the real comparison — not a near-zero yield gap.

SOXQSOXX
IndexPHLX SOX Semiconductor Sector IndexICE Semiconductor Index
Expense ratio0.19%0.33%
Fund size$2.97B$40.8B
Distribution yield0.33%0.22%
What to verifyBid-ask spread and tracking differenceBid-ask spread and tracking difference
Model this comparison:
Compare in my portfolio Forecast income Save to watchlist

Income calculator

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

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.

See all Invesco ETFs
iShares
ETFs466
Total AUM$4643B

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

Want to go deeper?

Add these ETFs to a sample portfolio and forecast your dividend income over 5+ years — free to start, no credit card.

Compare in my portfolio Forecast income Save to watchlist

Quick verdict

SOXQ (Invesco PHLX Semiconductor ETF) and SOXX (iShares Semiconductor ETF) are both quarterly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.

SOXQ offers the higher yield at 0.33% vs 0.22% for SOXX. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.

SOXQ is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.19% compared to 0.33%.

They have different reference exposures: SOXQ is linked to PHLX SOX Semiconductor Sector Index while SOXX is linked to ICE Semiconductor Index, which means their performance drivers differ.

SOXX is the larger fund by assets ($40.8B), but assets alone do not establish trading costs or liquidity.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, SOXQ would generate roughly $2.75/month, while SOXX would produce $1.83/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.

SOXQ yield0.33%
SOXX yield0.22%
Monthly diff on $10K$0.92

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, SOXQ would cost approximately $190 in fees vs $330 for SOXX (simplified, not compounded). The $140.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

SOXQ ER0.19%
SOXX ER0.33%

Strategy & risk

SOXQ tracks PHLX SOX Semiconductor Sector Index, while SOXX tracks ICE Semiconductor Index. Beta is 2.27 for SOXQ and 2.32 for SOXX — effectively similar market sensitivity.

SOXQ beta2.27
SOXX beta2.32

Fund details

SOXQ is managed by Invesco (launched 06/11/2021) with $2.97B in assets. SOXX is managed by iShares (launched 07/10/2001) with $40.8B in assets.

SOXQ AUM$2.97B
SOXX AUM$40.8B
Ready to act?
Open in Comparator Model in portfolio See pricing

Enjoyed this page?

Do us a favor — if you found this comparison useful, please share it with a friend researching dividend ETFs.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between SOXQ and SOXX?

Both are semiconductor index funds with heavy holdings overlap, so a yield screen does not separate them. SOXQ tracks PHLX SOX Semiconductor Sector Index at 0.19%; SOXX tracks ICE Semiconductor Index at 0.33%. Size and liquidity still differ: $2.97B versus $40.8B. Current distributions are 0.33% and 0.22% as of September 2026. Compare cost, index rules, and trading spreads — not a few basis points of yield.

What is the current distribution rate for SOXQ and SOXX?

SOXQ currently distributes 0.33% and SOXX 0.22%, based on fund data updated September 2026. Distribution rate moves with both the payout and the share price, so check the as-of date before relying on either figure.

Is SOXQ or SOXX better for dividend income?

It depends on your goals. SOXQ currently offers the higher distribution yield, which means more income per dollar invested. However, a lower-yield fund may offer better total return or lower volatility. Consider your time horizon and risk tolerance.

Can I hold both SOXQ 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.

Is SOXQ or SOXX safer?

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, SOXX scores 80, so SOXQ's payout currently looks the more resilient of the two. No score makes an investment risk-free — treat this as a screening signal, not a guarantee.

Which has lower fees, SOXQ or SOXX?

SOXQ has an expense ratio of 0.19% 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 SOXQ vs SOXX generate?

At current rates, $10,000 in SOXQ would generate roughly $2.75 per month ($33.00 annually). The same in SOXX would produce about $1.83 per month ($22.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, SOXQ or SOXX?

SOXQ has lagged SOXX over the trailing twelve months, posting a 110.56% total return against 116.11%. The picture flips over 5 years, though — SOXQ has compounded at 28.94% a year, ahead of SOXX at 28.06%. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

More comparisons to explore

SOXQ vs SOXX — at a glance

Generated September 5, 2026.

Overview

SOXQ and SOXX are both ETFs tracking the US semiconductor sector, but they follow different indexes and carry distinct structural profiles. The key difference: SOXX is the older, much larger fund with $40.8B in assets versus SOXQ's $2.97B, making SOXX the category heavyweight despite SOXQ's newer entry and lower fee structure.

How they differ

The first and most obvious split is index methodology. Both funds pay minimal distributions (0.33% and 0.22%, respectively), so yield is not a decision factor. SOXX carries $40.8B in AUM—roughly 14 times SOXQ's size—which translates to tighter bid-ask spreads and higher daily liquidity for large positions. Both exhibit high beta around 2.3, reflecting the sector's volatility relative to the broad market.

Who each is best for

  • SOXQ: Fits investors seeking semiconductor exposure through a lower-cost vehicle and those comfortable with a shorter operating history relative to category peers.
  • SOXX: Designed for investors who value deep liquidity, a 20+ year track record, and substantial AUM; also fits allocators for whom trading friction and bid-ask cost matter in execution.

Key risks to know

  • Index divergence: The PHLX SOX and ICE Semiconductor indexes construct their components differently, meaning sector moves may not translate identically between these two funds; performance gaps during major semiconductor rallies or declines could exceed fee differences.
  • Semiconductor concentration and cyclicality: Both funds concentrate in a cyclical industry highly sensitive to memory-chip demand, manufacturing capacity, and geopolitical supply-chain stress; downturns can be sharp and prolonged.
  • High beta volatility: With beta around 2.3, both funds amplify market swings by more than two-to-one, making drawdown severity in bear markets a real consideration for risk-averse allocators.
  • Expense ratio trade-off: SOXQ's lower fee advantage erodes if SOXX's superior liquidity results in tighter execution for frequent traders or if holdings-level overlap means performance divergence is immaterial relative to costs. The fee gap is meaningful over decades but small relative to sector-level volatility, and the index methodologies may produce returns that diverge in ways worth exploring before committing. 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.

Learn the method

The metrics behind this comparison, explained in the Academy.

How to read a fund's stats How expense ratios eat returns Correlation between two funds

Still deciding? Compare them against your own portfolio

See how each ETF fits alongside your real holdings — forecast future income, analyze overlap, and gauge risk. Start a free 7-day Dividend Vision trial and make the call with your full portfolio in view.

Start Free Open in Comparator Browse Screener