Dividend comparison
SOXX vs XSD: Which Is Better?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for iShares Semiconductor ETF and State Street SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
SOXX vs XSD: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Fees. SOXX is cheaper at 0.33% a year versus 0.35% for XSD. On $10,000 that is $2 a year less in fees.
- Income. Their trailing yields are almost the same: 0.25% for SOXX and 0.17% for XSD. Both pay quarterly.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, SOXX returned 236.7% versus 131.6% for XSD, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $33,671 in SOXX and $23,158 in XSD.
- Risk. SOXX has been the bumpier ride. Its worst peak-to-trough decline over the last 5 years was -45.8%, against -42.3% for XSD.
- Diversification. XSD holds 47 positions and SOXX holds 30. The ten largest positions make up 61.6% of SOXX and 28.9% of XSD.
- Overlap. 40% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 19 shared holdings.
- Dividend growth. XSD grew its yearly payout 37.2% a year over the last 4 years, versus 11.9% for SOXX.
- Size. SOXX is the larger fund with $40.7 billion in assets, against $2.5 billion for XSD.
Bottom line: SOXX fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns. XSD fits better if you care most about smaller drawdowns, faster dividend growth and broader diversification.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
| Metric | SOXX iShares Semiconductor ETF | XSD State Street SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 0.25% | 0.17% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $1.25 | $0.80 |
| Payout frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Last dividend | $0.3251 on Sep 18, 2026 | $0.1842 on Sep 23, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Sep 15, 2026 | Sep 21, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 11.9% over 4 yrs | 37.2% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $500.01 | $472.01 |
| Dividend growth streak | 1 year | 1 year |
| Beta | 2.24 | 2.68 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -45.8% | -42.3% |
| Market cap | $39.35B | $2.63B |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | AMEX |
| Expense ratio | 0.33% | 0.35% |
| Assets under management | $40.71B | $2.49B |
| Number of holdings | 30 | 47 |
| Top 10 concentration | 61.6% | 28.9% |
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
XSD
$1.42/mo
$17 /yr at 0.17% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. SOXX pays quarterly; XSD pays quarterly.
| Year | SOXX | XSD |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1.7214 | $0.8288 |
| 2024 | $1.4455 | $0.4911 |
| 2023 | $1.5039 | $0.7032 |
| 2022 | $1.5075 | $0.7386 |
| 2021 | $1.0993 | $0.2341 |
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 $23,158 in XSD.
| Period | SOXX | XSD |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | -6.20% | -6.81% |
| 3 months | -4.54% | -5.82% |
| Year to date | 66.33% | 46.96% |
| 1 year | 71.22% | 34.96% |
| 3 years | 233.45% | 165.58% |
| 5 years | 236.71% | 131.58% |
- SOXX
- XSD
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
- XSD
SOXX vs XSD holdings overlap
40% overlap by weight, with 19 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 | XSD weight |
|---|---|---|
| ADIANALOG DEVICES | 4.40% | 2.88% |
| TXNTEXAS INSTRUMENT | 4.28% | 2.82% |
| MPWRMONOLITHIC POWER SYSTEMS INC | 3.32% | 2.78% |
| AMDADVANCED MICRO DEVICES | 9.25% | 2.75% |
| NXPINXP SEMICONDUCTORS NV | 3.24% | 2.75% |
| MRVLMARVELL TECHNOLOGY | 4.53% | 2.69% |
| QCOMQUALCOMM | 4.12% | 2.62% |
| NVDANVIDIA | 7.95% | 2.59% |
| AVGOBROADCOM INC | 7.31% | 2.45% |
| MUMICRON TECHNOLOGY | 7.64% | 2.35% |
Top 10 holdings
Largest positions by portfolio weight.
SOXX30 holdings total
Quick verdict
SOXX fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns. XSD fits better if you care most about smaller drawdowns, faster dividend growth and broader diversification. 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 XSD better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. SOXX currently yields 0.25% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while XSD yields 0.17%. 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 XSD?
iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) is an ETF listed on NASDAQ. State Street SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD) is an ETF listed on AMEX. Side-by-side metrics on this page cover yield, fees, returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history when available.
Which is cheaper, SOXX or XSD?
SOXX has the lower expense ratio. SOXX charges 0.33% a year and XSD charges 0.35%, a difference of $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which has performed better, SOXX or XSD?
Over the last 5 years, SOXX has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: SOXX returned 236.7% and XSD returned 131.6%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, SOXX or XSD?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, SOXX has been riskier: SOXX fell as much as 45.8% and XSD as much as 42.3%. Their betas are 2.24 and 2.68.
How much do SOXX and XSD overlap?
About 40% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 19 shared holdings. The largest shared positions are ADI, TXN, MPWR. Holding both still adds meaningful diversification.
How often do SOXX and XSD pay dividends?
Both pay quarterly. The most recent payments were $0.3251 for SOXX and $0.1842 for XSD.
How much income does $10,000 in SOXX vs XSD generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in SOXX would generate roughly $2.09 per month ($25 annually). The same amount in XSD would produce about $1.42 per month ($17 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both SOXX and XSD?
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 XSD with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how SOXX and XSD 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.