SOXX vs SOXL: The Semiconductor ETF vs. Its 3x Leveraged Version
SOXX is a semiconductor sector fund for investors. SOXL applies 3x daily leverage to the same sector. It is a trading instrument, not a buy-and-hold investment.
SOXX (iShares Semiconductor ETF) and SOXL (Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF) are not comparable buy-and-hold investments. SOXX holds ~30 semiconductor stocks and is designed to track the semiconductor sector over any time horizon. SOXL uses daily derivatives to deliver 3x the daily return of a semiconductor index, resetting that leverage every single day. The daily reset creates volatility decay: in a choppy market, SOXL loses value even if the underlying semiconductor index ends up flat. In a sustained bull market for semiconductors, SOXL can produce extraordinary gains. In a sustained downturn, it can lose 90%+ before the underlying sector falls by half. SOXL is not SOXX with higher upside. It behaves like a fundamentally different instrument. For long-term exposure to semiconductors, SOXX is the appropriate tool. SOXL should only be held by investors who understand leverage mechanics and are actively managing short-term positions.
Whether the lower-cost fund suits your situation depends on your existing holdings, account type, tax situation, and how you use each fund. This is a cost comparison, not a personalized recommendation.
📋 SOXX vs SOXL — Key Facts Side by Side
| Metric | SOXX | SOXL |
|---|---|---|
| Fund Name | iShares Semiconductor ETF | Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X Shares |
| Issuer | iShares | Direxion |
| Tracks Index | ICE Semiconductor Index | 3x ICE Semiconductor Index (Daily) |
| Expense Ratio | 0.35% ✓ | 0.76% |
| Cost per $10K/yr | $35.00 | $76.00 |
| AUM | $47.8B | $31.6B |
| Holdings | 30 | 1 |
| Inception | 2001 | 2010 |
| 1-Year Return | +138.42% | +625.51% |
| 3-Year Return | +53.28% | +104.35% |
| 5-Year Return | +32.52% | +36.55% |
| Dividend Yield | 0.23% | — |
| Holdings Overlap | See holdings overlap → | |
| Avg Bid-Ask Spread | 0.01% | 0.02% |
Expense ratio, AUM, and returns updated Jul 14, 2026 from ETF BFF database. Returns are annualised. Not investment advice.
📊 SOXX vs SOXL — Annualised Returns
Annualised returns (trailing, price-based). Past performance does not guarantee future results.
🎯 Which Fund Fits Which Investor?
- want the lowest fees: saves ~$41/yr per $10K vs SOXL
- want broader diversification (30 holdings vs 1)
- already use Direxion and prefer staying within one fund family
💰 What the Fee Difference Actually Costs
Adjust the numbers for your situation. This models each fund's expense ratio compounding against your balance over time.
Assumes a constant annual return reinvested, with each fund's expense ratio deducted yearly. Illustrative only; actual returns vary. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
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Side-by-side holdings overlap, sector breakdown, and live performance tabs, all in one place.
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❓ SOXX vs SOXL — Frequently Asked Questions
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