SOXX vs VYM
iShares Semiconductor ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, SOXX or VYM?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. SOXX led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 61.4%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | SOXX | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.33% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $40.8B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.29% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 34 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +65.13%Best | +13.15% |
| 1Y Return | +105.11%Best | +17.82% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +47.52%Best | +17.99% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +28.09%Best | +12.16% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 27.6% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -66.8% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $34,481Best | $17,750 |
| Top 10 Weight | 61.4% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jul 10, 2001 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 10, 2026 (19.8 years).
SOXX vs VYM growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
SOXX vs VYM Performance
iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SOXX returned +105.11% while VYM returned +17.82%. Year to date, SOXX is up 65.13% versus a gain of 13.15% for VYM.
Over three years, SOXX compounded at +47.52% per year against +17.99% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +28.09% and +12.16% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, SOXX has the edge at +18.67% annualized vs +6.91%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SOXX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 27.6% compared with 14.5% for VYM. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -66.8% for SOXX and -58.8% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.63. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SOXX charges 0.33% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $33 vs $4 annually, a gap of $29 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SOXX currently yields 0.29% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
24.2% of SOXX's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 10.6% of VYM's money is in holdings SOXX also owns.
SOXX and VYM share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 62 days apart, SOXX as of Aug 31, 2026 and VYM as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
7 positions in common, counted across the 31 positions we hold weights for in SOXX and 603 in VYM, against full books of 34 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 561 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for SOXX (86.9% of the fund), and 18 for SOXX that do not appear in VYM (65.8%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SOXX | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 7.48% | 7.29% | 0.19% |
| TXNTexas Instruments, Inc | 3.85% | 1.13% | 2.72% |
| ADIAnalog Devices, Inc. | 3.95% | 0.80% | 3.15% |
| QCOMQualcomm Inc. | 3.06% | 0.81% | 2.25% |
| NXPINxp Semiconductors N.V. Common Stock | 3.15% | 0.29% | 2.86% |
| MCHPMicrochip Technology Inc. | 2.19% | 0.20% | 1.99% |
| SWKSSkyworks Solutions Inc. | 0.56% | 0.04% | 0.52% |
24.2% of SOXX is already inside VYM.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, SOXX or VYM?
SOXX has an expense ratio of 0.33% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $29 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SOXX or VYM?
Over the past year SOXX returned +105.11% vs +17.82% for VYM, so SOXX leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), SOXX annualized +18.67% vs +6.91% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SOXX or VYM?
SOXX has been the more volatile fund at 27.6% annualized versus 14.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: SOXX -66.8% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both SOXX and VYM?
SOXX and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.63, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between SOXX and VYM?
24.2% of SOXX's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 10.6% of VYM's is in holdings SOXX also owns. They hold 7 positions in common, counted across the 31 positions we hold weights for in SOXX and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, SOXX or VYM?
SOXX yields 0.29% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than SOXX?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. SOXX led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 61.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.