Compare/Updated Oct 26, 2026, refreshed every trading day
SOXX vs SOXL
iShares Semiconductor ETF against Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF: 4 years of returns, risk and today’s technical read, from Kavout’s own data.
SOXL did better over the period: $1,000 invested on October 28, 2022 grew to $9,014, versus $4,417 for SOXX. Its total return was 801.4%, compared with 341.7%, reflecting SOXL’s 3X daily semiconductor exposure. That leverage also made SOXL substantially riskier: its 12-month volatility was 136.6% versus 46.4% for SOXX, and its worst drawdown was -87.9% versus -41.4%. SOXL also had the larger recent losses, including -42.9% over one month and -34.8% over both three and six months. SOXX had a lower expense ratio, 0.34% versus 0.91%, and greater assets, $43B versus $23B. The funds’ daily moves were highly correlated at 0.999, but leverage amplified both gains and losses; the superior historical return came with materially greater drawdown and volatility risk.
- Price is above its 200-day average ($472); 50-day at $532.
- RSI 32, neutral. Supertrend says sell. ADX 26, so the trend is strong.
- Price is below its 200-day average ($123); 50-day at $125.
- RSI 31, neutral. Supertrend says sell. ADX 26, so the trend is strong.
Head to head
Which has returned more, SOXX or SOXL?
SOXX beat SOXL in 24 of the last 48 months; SOXL won the other 24. The typical monthly gap was 14.68 points.
Total return by period
Which is riskier?
Both: Jul 10, 2024 to Apr 8, 2025
- 0.999
- correlation of daily moves, 4 years
- 0.34
- SOXX move per 1% in SOXL
- 0.999
- correlation, last 12 months
Month by month
Of the last 48 months. The typical gap was 14.68 points.
When did they diverge?
| Month | SOXX | SOXL | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 2026 | +40.4% | +165.0% | -124.64 pts |
| May 2026 | +23.3% | +76.7% | -53.35 pts |
| June 2025 | +16.7% | +55.8% | -39.11 pts |
| November 2023 | +16.1% | +53.0% | -36.92 pts |
Where the numbers come from. 1000 daily adjusted closes per fund from the Kavout market-data API, dividends included. Signals and indicators are Kavout’s own, refreshed nightly. Every figure is calculated from those adjusted closes.
Holdings and fees
What do you actually own with SOXX and SOXL?
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