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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 August 19, 2026

Best for

  • 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

SOXQ has lagged SOXX over the trailing twelve months, posting a 104.01% total return against 109.63%. The picture flips over 5 years, though — SOXQ has compounded at 30.68% a year, ahead of SOXX at 29.87%. 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
SOXQ59.61%104.01%49.88%30.68%29.51%39.5%0.921.30-39.4%
SOXX65.84%109.63%47.70%29.87%28.84%39.4%0.881.25-41.4%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date, split-adjusted, as of August 19, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; longer windows 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
Last Close$94.37 as of August 19, 2026$531.39 as of August 19, 2026
Distribution yield0.33%0.21%
Distribution Safety Score™ 9080
Expense ratio0.19%0.33%
AUM$2.86B$43.5B
Distribution frequencyQuarterlyQuarterly
Underlying indexPHLX SOX Semiconductor Sector IndexICE Semiconductor Index
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$0.0770$0.2830
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$2.86B$43.5B
Distribution yield0.33%0.21%
What to verifyBid-ask spread and tracking differenceBid-ask spread and tracking difference
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Income calculator

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Invesco
ETFs247
Total AUM$1008B

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
ETFs473
Total AUM$4710B

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

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 0.21% 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 track different benchmarks: SOXQ is linked to PHLX SOX Semiconductor Sector Index while SOXX tracks ICE Semiconductor Index, which means their performance drivers differ.

SOXX is the larger fund by assets ($43.5B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, SOXQ would generate roughly $2.75/month, while SOXX would produce $1.75/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.

SOXQ yield0.33%
SOXX yield0.21%
Monthly diff on $10K$1.00

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 $2.86B in assets. SOXX is managed by iShares (launched 07/10/2001) with $43.5B in assets.

SOXQ AUM$2.86B
SOXX AUM$43.5B
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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: $2.86B versus $43.5B. Current distributions are 0.33% and 0.21% as of August 2026. Compare cost, index rules, and trading spreads — not a few basis points of yield.

What is the current distribution yield for SOXQ and SOXX?

SOXQ currently distributes 0.33% and SOXX 0.21%, based on fund data updated August 2026. Distribution yield 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 90, 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 $1.75 per month ($21.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, SOXQ or SOXX?

SOXQ has lagged SOXX over the trailing twelve months, posting a 104.01% total return against 109.63%. The picture flips over 5 years, though — SOXQ has compounded at 30.68% a year, ahead of SOXX at 29.87%. 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 August 15, 2026.

Figures quoted in this analysis are from its generation date and may lag the live snapshot table above, which always shows the latest data.

Overview

SOXQ and SOXX are both ETFs tracking US semiconductor companies, but they follow different indexes and have meaningfully different cost structures and asset bases. SOXQ tracks the PHLX SOX Semiconductor Sector Index via Invesco, while SOXX tracks the ICE Semiconductor Index via iShares. The two indexes likely overlap substantially in holdings but may weight them differently, and their fee gap—0.19% for SOXQ versus 0.35% for SOXX—compounds over time despite SOXX's much larger asset base of $47.6B.

How they differ

The single biggest difference is cost: SOXQ's 0.19% expense ratio undercuts SOXX's 0.35% by 16 basis points annually. That 84% cost advantage favors SOXQ for buy-and-hold investors, though SOXX's $47.6B in AUM dwarfs SOXQ's $2.86B, which may translate to tighter trading spreads and deeper liquidity for SOXX in practice. Both ETFs exhibit similar beta around 2.27–2.32, indicating comparable volatility relative to the broader market. The yield difference is modest—SOXQ pays 0.32% and SOXX 0.21%—but that gap may reflect index composition or distribution timing rather than a strategic yield play, since both are quarterlies. SOXQ launched in June 2021, making it significantly newer; SOXX has tracked semiconductors since July 2001.

Who each is best for

  • SOXQ: Fits investors who want direct semiconductor exposure with minimal drag and are comfortable with a younger, smaller-AUM fund; cost sensitivity is a primary driver.
  • SOXX: Fits investors who prioritize established track record and want the liquidity and name recognition that comes with the larger asset base and two-decade history in the space.

Key risks to know

  • Both ETFs carry a beta near 2.30, meaning they amplify broad market swings by roughly 2.3×, making them volatile holdings during downturns; semiconductor sector volatility itself adds another layer.
  • The two track different semiconductor indexes (PHLX SOX vs. ICE), so their top holdings and weightings likely diverge. Without detailed overlap data, investors cannot assume they move in lockstep; subtle index-methodology differences can produce divergent returns over years.
  • Semiconductor fundamentals—cyclicality, geopolitical supply-chain risk (Taiwan concentration, US-China chip competition), fab capacity swings—affect both equally. Neither ETF hedges sector-specific downturns.
  • SOXQ's smaller AUM may result in wider bid-ask spreads in lower-volume periods, creating a hidden execution cost that could offset its fee advantage for frequent traders.

Bottom line

If minimizing fees is a priority, SOXQ's 0.19% expense ratio offers a clear edge; if you value a large, well-established fund with a 20-year track record and likely better trading conditions, SOXX's scale and tenure stand out. Both are high-beta semiconductor plays—the choice hinges on fee tolerance and liquidity needs rather than exposure philosophy. 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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How to read a fund's stats How expense ratios eat returns Correlation between two funds

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