Dividend comparison
SOXL vs SOXX: Which Is Better?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF and iShares Semiconductor ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
SOXL vs SOXX: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Fees. SOXX is cheaper at 0.33% a year versus 0.91% for SOXL. On $10,000 that is $58 a year less in fees.
- Income. SOXX pays more income, yielding 0.25% over the last twelve months versus 0.10% for SOXL. That is about $16 more a year on $10,000. SOXL pays annual, SOXX pays quarterly.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, SOXX returned 236.7% versus 127.5% for SOXL, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $33,671 in SOXX and $22,750 in SOXL.
- Risk. SOXL has been the bumpier ride. Its worst peak-to-trough decline over the last 5 years was -90.5%, against -45.8% for SOXX.
- Diversification. SOXL holds 44 positions and SOXX holds 30. The ten largest positions make up 41.7% of SOXL and 61.6% of SOXX.
- Overlap. At least 68% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 32 shared holdings.
- Dividend growth. SOXL grew its yearly payout 47.2% a year over the last 4 years, versus 11.9% for SOXX.
Bottom line: SOXL fits better if you care most about faster dividend growth. SOXX fits better if you care most about lower fees, stronger 5-year returns and smaller drawdowns.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
| Metric | SOXL Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF | SOXX iShares Semiconductor ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 0.10% | 0.25% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $0.09 | $1.25 |
| Payout frequency | Annual | Quarterly |
| Last dividend | $0.0929 on Sep 29, 2026 | $0.3251 on Sep 18, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Sep 22, 2026 | Sep 15, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 47.2% over 4 yrs | 11.9% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $97.55 | $500.01 |
| Dividend growth streak | — | 1 year |
| Beta | 7.64 | 2.24 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -90.5% | -45.8% |
| Market cap | $25.92B | $39.35B |
| Exchange | AMEX | NASDAQ |
| Expense ratio | 0.91% | 0.33% |
| Assets under management | $21.89B | $40.71B |
| Number of holdings | 44 | 30 |
| Top 10 concentration | 41.7% | 61.6% |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
SOXL
$0.79/mo
$10 /yr at 0.10% yield
SOXX
$2.09/mo
$25 /yr at 0.25% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. SOXL pays annual; SOXX pays quarterly.
| Year | SOXL | SOXX |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $0.1428 | $1.7214 |
| 2024 | $0.3211 | $1.4455 |
| 2023 | $0.1589 | $1.5039 |
| 2022 | $0.1038 | $1.5075 |
| 2021 | $0.0304 | $1.0993 |
Strategy: Sector and thematic
Funds that hold a single industry or theme, such as technology, semiconductors, healthcare or energy. Funds covering the same sector can still differ in concentration rules: some cap the largest positions while others let the biggest companies take a quarter of the fund. Sector funds are usually used to tilt a portfolio rather than as its core.
A single sector can fall far further than the broad market and stay down for years, and the largest names often dominate the fund.
Performance
Total returns with dividends reinvested, from the adjusted closing price series. $10,000 invested on Oct 20, 2021 would now be worth $22,750 in SOXL and $33,671 in SOXX.
| Period | SOXL | SOXX |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | -21.07% | -6.20% |
| 3 months | -28.65% | -4.54% |
| Year to date | 132.26% | 66.33% |
| 1 year | 131.11% | 71.22% |
| 3 years | 496.27% | 233.45% |
| 5 years | 127.50% | 236.71% |
- SOXL
- SOXX
Both series indexed to 100 on 2021-10-20 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Sector allocation
Weight of each sector within the fund. Sectors are aligned on the same row so the two funds can be read against each other directly.
- SOXL
- SOXX
SOXL vs SOXX holdings overlap
At least 68% overlap by weight, with 32 holdings in common. Overlap adds up the smaller of the two weights for every stock both funds own, so 100% would mean identical portfolios.
| Largest shared holdings | SOXL weight | SOXX weight |
|---|---|---|
| AMDADVANCED MICRO DEVICES | 6.26% | 9.25% |
| INTCINTEL CORP | 5.63% | 8.32% |
| NVDANVIDIA CORP | 5.38% | 7.95% |
| MUMICRON TECHNOLOGY INC | 5.17% | 7.64% |
| AVGOBROADCOM INC | 4.95% | 7.31% |
| MRVLMARVELL TECHNOLOGY INC | 3.07% | 4.53% |
| ADIANALOG DEVICES INC | 2.98% | 4.40% |
| TXNTEXAS INSTRUMENTS INC | 2.90% | 4.28% |
| QCOMQUALCOMM INC | 2.79% | 4.12% |
| KLACKLA CORP | 2.60% | 3.84% |
Top 10 holdings
Largest positions by portfolio weight.
SOXL44 holdings total
Quick verdict
SOXL fits better if you care most about faster dividend growth. SOXX fits better if you care most about lower fees, stronger 5-year returns and smaller drawdowns. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
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Frequently asked questions
Is SOXL or SOXX better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. SOXL currently yields 0.10% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while SOXX yields 0.25%. Higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, but may come with different risk, growth, or NAV characteristics. Compare total return and payout sustainability — not just the headline yield.
What is the difference between SOXL and SOXX?
Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF (SOXL) is an ETF listed on AMEX. iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) is an ETF listed on NASDAQ. Side-by-side metrics on this page cover yield, fees, returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history when available.
Which is cheaper, SOXL or SOXX?
SOXX has the lower expense ratio. SOXL charges 0.91% a year and SOXX charges 0.33%, a difference of $58 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which has performed better, SOXL or SOXX?
Over the last 5 years, SOXX has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: SOXL returned 127.5% and SOXX returned 236.7%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, SOXL or SOXX?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, SOXL has been riskier: SOXL fell as much as 90.5% and SOXX as much as 45.8%. Their betas are 7.64 and 2.24.
How much do SOXL and SOXX overlap?
At least 68% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 32 shared holdings. The largest shared positions are AMD, INTC, NVDA. Holding both still adds meaningful diversification.
How often do SOXL and SOXX pay dividends?
SOXL pays annual and SOXX pays quarterly.
How much income does $10,000 in SOXL vs SOXX generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in SOXL would generate roughly $0.79 per month ($10 annually). The same amount in SOXX would produce about $2.09 per month ($25 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both SOXL and SOXX?
Yes. Many income investors hold both to diversify strategy or index exposure. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on overlapping holdings and factor exposure. Model both inside Dividend Wealth to see combined income, sector mix, and forecast impact.
Where can I compare SOXL vs SOXX with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how SOXL and SOXX fit alongside the rest of your portfolio. A 14-day free trial of Standard is available with no credit card required; a limited Free plan is also available.
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For informational and educational purposes only. Not investment advice. Past performance and current yields do not guarantee future results. Verify figures independently before making investment decisions.