Dividend comparison
SOXX vs SOXQ: Which Is Better?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for iShares Semiconductor ETF and Invesco PHLX Semiconductor ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
SOXX vs SOXQ: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Fees. SOXQ is cheaper at 0.19% a year versus 0.33% for SOXX. On $10,000 that is $14 a year less in fees.
- Income. Their trailing yields are almost the same: 0.25% for SOXX and 0.33% for SOXQ. Both pay quarterly.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, SOXQ returned 246.6% versus 236.7% for SOXX, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $34,662 in SOXQ and $33,671 in SOXX.
- Risk. Their worst declines over the last 5 years were similar: -45.8% for SOXX and -46.0% for SOXQ from peak to trough.
- Diversification. SOXQ holds 31 positions and SOXX holds 30. The ten largest positions make up 61.6% of SOXX and 59.4% of SOXQ.
- Overlap. 84% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 27 shared holdings. Owning both adds little diversification.
- Dividend growth. SOXX grew its yearly payout 11.9% a year over the last 3 years, versus 1.1% for SOXQ.
- Size. SOXX is the larger fund with $40.7 billion in assets, against $2.9 billion for SOXQ.
Bottom line: SOXX fits better if you care most about faster dividend growth. SOXQ fits better if you care most about lower fees and stronger 5-year returns. With 84% overlap, most investors would hold one or the other rather than both.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
| Metric | SOXX iShares Semiconductor ETF | SOXQ Invesco PHLX Semiconductor ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 0.25% | 0.33% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $1.25 | $0.29 |
| Payout frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Last dividend | $0.3251 on Sep 18, 2026 | $0.0845 on Sep 25, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Sep 15, 2026 | Sep 21, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 11.9% over 4 yrs | 1.1% over 3 yrs |
| Price | $500.01 | $88.77 |
| Dividend growth streak | 1 year | 1 year |
| Beta | 2.24 | 2.19 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -45.8% | -46.0% |
| Market cap | $39.35B | $2.81B |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | NASDAQ |
| Expense ratio | 0.33% | 0.19% |
| Assets under management | $40.71B | $2.89B |
| Number of holdings | 30 | 31 |
| Top 10 concentration | 61.6% | 59.4% |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
SOXX
$2.09/mo
$25 /yr at 0.25% yield
SOXQ
$2.76/mo
$33 /yr at 0.33% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. SOXX pays quarterly; SOXQ pays quarterly.
| Year | SOXX | SOXQ |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1.7214 | $0.2795 |
| 2024 | $1.4455 | $0.2666 |
| 2023 | $1.5039 | $0.2863 |
| 2022 | $1.5075 | $0.2707 |
| 2021 | $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 $33,671 in SOXX and $34,662 in SOXQ.
| Period | SOXX | SOXQ |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | -6.20% | -5.34% |
| 3 months | -4.54% | -3.36% |
| Year to date | 66.33% | 59.17% |
| 1 year | 71.22% | 63.87% |
| 3 years | 233.45% | 244.60% |
| 5 years | 236.71% | 246.62% |
- SOXX
- SOXQ
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.
- SOXX
- SOXQ
SOXX vs SOXQ holdings overlap
84% overlap by weight, with 27 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 | SOXX weight | SOXQ weight |
|---|---|---|
| NVDANVIDIA | 7.95% | 12.07% |
| MUMICRON TECHNOLOGY | 7.64% | 7.60% |
| AVGOBROADCOM INC | 7.31% | 9.20% |
| AMDADVANCED MICRO DEVICES | 9.25% | 4.66% |
| MRVLMARVELL TECHNOLOGY | 4.53% | 4.46% |
| ADIANALOG DEVICES | 4.40% | 4.53% |
| TXNTEXAS INSTRUMENT | 4.28% | 4.39% |
| INTCINTEL CORPORATION | 8.32% | 4.16% |
| QCOMQUALCOMM | 4.12% | 4.19% |
| KLACKLA | 3.84% | 3.92% |
Quick verdict
SOXX fits better if you care most about faster dividend growth. SOXQ fits better if you care most about lower fees and stronger 5-year returns. With 84% overlap, most investors would hold one or the other rather than both. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
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Frequently asked questions
Is SOXX or SOXQ better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. SOXX currently yields 0.25% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while SOXQ yields 0.33%. 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 SOXX and SOXQ?
iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) is an ETF listed on NASDAQ. Invesco PHLX Semiconductor ETF (SOXQ) 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, SOXX or SOXQ?
SOXQ has the lower expense ratio. SOXX charges 0.33% a year and SOXQ charges 0.19%, a difference of $14 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which has performed better, SOXX or SOXQ?
Over the last 5 years, SOXQ has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: SOXX returned 236.7% and SOXQ returned 246.6%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, SOXX or SOXQ?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, SOXQ has been riskier: SOXX fell as much as 45.8% and SOXQ as much as 46.0%. Their betas are 2.24 and 2.19.
How much do SOXX and SOXQ overlap?
About 84% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 27 shared holdings. The largest shared positions are NVDA, MU, AVGO. Holding both adds little diversification.
How often do SOXX and SOXQ pay dividends?
Both pay quarterly. The most recent payments were $0.3251 for SOXX and $0.0845 for SOXQ.
How much income does $10,000 in SOXX vs SOXQ generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in SOXX would generate roughly $2.09 per month ($25 annually). The same amount in SOXQ would produce about $2.76 per month ($33 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both SOXX and SOXQ?
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 SOXX vs SOXQ with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how SOXX and SOXQ 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.