SOXX ETF: What Is It? Returns, Expense Ratio, Holdings and Alternative ETFs
The iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) tracks the ICE Semiconductor Sector Index and offers diversified exposure across the US semiconductor industry. The fee gap versus broad technology ETFs, quarterly dividends, and sector concentration are the key selection criteria.
SubscribeWhat Is the iShares Semiconductor ETF?
This sector ETF tracks the ICE Semiconductor Sector Index and invests in US-listed semiconductor companies. It holds leading companies in semiconductor design, manufacturing, and equipment on a market-cap-weighted basis, following the trend of the industry as a whole.
It suits growth-oriented investors who want diversified exposure to the semiconductor industry without the burden of picking individual chip stocks.
It is a passively managed (index-tracking) ETF run by iShares.
How Does the iShares Semiconductor ETF Invest?
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Tracked index | ICE Semiconductor Sector Index |
| Rebalancing frequency | Quarterly |
| Management style | Passive (index tracking) |
| Issuer | iShares |
| Dividend frequency | Quarterly |
| Expense ratio | 0.33% |
The fund holds the constituents of the ICE Semiconductor Sector Index in proportion to their market capitalization, tracking the performance of the US semiconductor industry as a whole. By covering leading companies across the semiconductor value chain, including design, manufacturing, and equipment, it reduces dependence on any single stock. Rebalancing is applied quarterly in accordance with the index rules.
- Sector exposure diversified across the entire semiconductor value chain
- iShares' deep operational infrastructure and liquidity
iShares Semiconductor ETF Size and Costs (AUM and Expense Ratio)
Assets under management (AUM) stand at $42.9B, and the expense ratio is 0.33% per year.
Compared with broad technology ETFs, its exposure is concentrated in the single semiconductor sector, and it carries the volatility that comes with industry cycles.
iShares Semiconductor ETF Performance and Trends
1-Year Price Performance
Dividend & Yield
52-Week Price RangeThe fund has shown highly volatile performance in step with the semiconductor demand cycle. It tends to be strong during phases of expanding AI and data center investment and weak during inventory adjustment phases. Its trend responds sensitively to industry conditions.
Fund flows tend to be active depending on demand for the semiconductor theme, and they can shift quickly with changes in tech-stock sentiment and industry outlook. Investors should take market-driven volatility into account.
iShares Semiconductor ETF Strengths and Weaknesses
Its strength is diversified exposure to the semiconductor industry as a whole, while its weakness is the high volatility that comes with concentration in a single sector.
💪 Key Strengths
⚠️ Points to Watch
iShares Semiconductor ETF Alternatives and Related Products
The four funds in the table, VGT, XLK, IYW, and FTEC, are broad technology sector ETFs that include semiconductors. Their exposure is not limited to chips and extends to software and hardware, and their fee levels differ from one another. IGV is software-focused, so its semiconductor weighting is low. For a heavier semiconductor focus, SMH is a direct substitute within the same semiconductor sector, and investors seeking leveraged or inverse exposure can also consider SOXL (3x) and SOXS (inverse).
Peer Comparison ETFs| Ticker | Name | Price | Change | AUM | Total Expense Ratio | Dividend Yield | 1Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 VGT | Vanguard Information Technology ETF | $119.17 | +0.5% | $146.8B | 0.09% | 0.4% | +25.1% |
 XLK | State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF | $183.23 | +0.5% | $120.1B | 0.08% | 0.46% | +26.8% |
 IYW | iShares U.S. Technology ETF | $249.92 | +0.4% | $24.2B | 0.37% | 0.1% | +25.0% |
 FTEC | Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF | $284.35 | +0.5% | $21.0B | 0.08% | 0.39% | +25.2% |
 IGV | iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF | $110.59 | +1.7% | $14.1B | 0.38% | 0.02% | -3.7% |
Top Holdings| Ticker | Name | Weight | Price | Change | Market Cap | P/E | Dividend Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MU | Micron Technology Inc | 0.16% | $877.55 | +2.5% | $992.9B | 11.8 | 0.08% |
| NVDA | NVIDIA Corp | 0.15% | $210.96 | -0.6% | $5.08T | 26.7 | 0.37% |
| AVGO | Broadcom Inc | 0.14% | $321.68 | -0.5% | $1.54T | 41.1 | 0.81% |
| AMD | Advanced Micro Devices Inc | 0.15% | $516.79 | +1.7% | $843.6B | 132.6 | - |
| INTC | Intel Corp | 0.06% | $86.96 | +1.7% | $459.7B | - | 0.05% |
| AMAT | Applied Materials Inc | 0.06% | $377.24 | +0.4% | $299.4B | 32.5 | 0.51% |
iShares Semiconductor ETF Investor Checkpoints
Here are the points to review before investing in SOXX. It is effective for diversified exposure to the semiconductor theme, but its single-sector concentration, volatility tied to industry cycles, and exchange rate exposure for Korean won investors are items that should be checked in advance and considered together.
| Checkpoint | What to Check | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| 💵 Expense ratio | Check the cumulative impact over a long holding period | Annual fee applies |
| 📊 Sector concentration | Confirm exposure to the single semiconductor sector | High concentration |
| 📈 Industry cycle | Review the semiconductor demand cycle | Highly volatile |
| 💱 Exchange rate | Impact on returns converted to Korean won | No currency hedge |
Cyclical swings in the semiconductor industry and single-sector concentration are the main drivers of volatility. In an industry downturn, declines can be larger than those of broad technology ETFs, so position sizing needs to be managed.
This is a sector ETF suited to growth-oriented investors who want diversified exposure to the semiconductor industry. For a heavier semiconductor focus, SMH is an option, and for exposure to the technology sector as a whole, broad ETFs such as VGT and XLK can serve as alternatives.
SubscribeDisclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. All investment responsibility lies with the investor.
This article reflects information as of June 21, 2026.
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