SOXX vs ROBO ETF comparison
SOXX vs ROBO
SOXX holds 30 U.S.-listed chip companies with caps that keep the largest names closer together, and ROBO holds about 80 robotics and automation companies worldwide at similar weights, so no stock is above 2.5%. They cover different themes. SOXX is a semiconductor fund and ROBO is a robotics and automation fund.
SOXX follows the NYSE Semiconductor Index, which holds 30 chip companies and caps the weight of the largest ones. ROBO follows the ROBO Global index, which spreads weight almost evenly across its members. SOXX charges 0.33% and ROBO charges 0.95%. This page lines up what each fund holds, how much they overlap, how each performed and what each costs, with the date next to every number.
SOXX vs ROBO, the short answer
SOXX and ROBO differ in what they hold and what they charge. They cover different themes. SOXX is a semiconductor fund and ROBO is a robotics and automation fund. SOXX follows the NYSE Semiconductor Index, which holds 30 chip companies and caps the weight of the largest ones. ROBO follows the ROBO Global index, which spreads weight almost evenly across its members.
Expense ratios are 0.33% and 0.95%. NAV total returns, annualized (both to Sep 30, 2026): 1 year 110.14% vs 23.09%; 3 years 54.08% vs 17.23%; 5 years 31.76% vs 4.72%; 10 years 32.41% vs 11.29%. Neither is better for everyone; the choice turns on which theme you want, how concentrated you are willing to be and what you already own.
Want the full picture of one fund before you compare? Read the complete guide for each fund: SOXX guide and ROBO guide. Each guide covers fees, holdings, yield, returns and taxes.
SOXX vs ROBO overlap, if you own both
SOXX · ten largest holdings
As of Nov 6, 2026- 1Advanced Micro Devices AMD9.46%Only here
- 2Nvidia NVDA8.38%Only here
- 3Broadcom AVGO7.86%Only here
- 4Micron Technology MU7.13%Only here
- 5Intel INTC6.23%Only here
- 6Texas Instruments TXN5.27%Only here
- 7Analog Devices ADI4.98%Only here
- 8Qualcomm QCOM4.81%Only here
- 9NXP Semiconductors NXPI4.66%Only here
- 10KLA KLAC3.91%Only here
Ten largest total 62.7%
ROBO · ten largest holdings
As of Nov 9, 2026- 1Intuitive Surgical ISRG2.42%Only here
- 2PTC Inc PTC1.91%Only here
- 3Novanta NOVT1.82%Only here
- 4Emerson Electric EMR1.77%Only here
- 5Fanuc 69541.71%Only here
- 6GEA Group G1A1.69%Only here
- 7JBT Marel JBTM1.67%Only here
- 8Rockwell Automation ROK1.65%Only here
- 9Hexagon HEXAB1.61%Only here
- 10Hon Hai Precision Industry 23171.60%Only here
Ten largest total 17.9%
Shared by both · 0 companies
| Company | SOXX weight | ROBO weight | Gap |
|---|
Only in SOXX’s top ten: Advanced Micro Devices, Nvidia, Broadcom, Micron Technology, Intel, Texas Instruments, Analog Devices, Qualcomm, NXP Semiconductors, KLA. Only in ROBO’s top ten: Intuitive Surgical, PTC Inc, Novanta, Emerson Electric, Fanuc, GEA Group, JBT Marel, Rockwell Automation, Hexagon, Hon Hai Precision Industry.
The twist
4.9% of the weight sits in stocks both funds hold (matched by ticker in issuer holdings dated Nov 6, 2026 and Nov 9, 2026), and 0 stocks appear in both top-ten lists. The funds share almost nothing, so owning both means holding two separate themes.
SOXX vs ROBO, one goal, which fund?
SOXX vs ROBO, where the money goes
SOXX · iShares, Nov 6, 2026
ROBO · ROBO Global, Nov 9, 2026
SOXX vs ROBO returns compared over 1, 3, 5 and 10 years
SOXX vs ROBO, what each fund costs a year
The data room
Every figure behind the SOXX vs ROBO cards above, with its source, date and evidence grade. Open the issuer documents before relying on any number.
SOXX vs ROBO key facts
Evidence grade: Issuer issuer page · Mixed issuer plus provider · 3rd party| Metric | SOXX | ROBO | Grade and source |
|---|
Portfolio characteristics
| Metric | SOXX | ROBO | Grade and source |
|---|
Net assets are dated Nov 9, 2026 for both funds (SOXX $37.53B; ROBO $1.82B). Figures an issuer page does not show are left out or marked Not captured, not estimated.
SOXX vs ROBO holdings and top ten
Click a tile · SOXX: iShares, Nov 6, 2026 · ROBO: ROBO Global, Nov 9, 2026Tile area is proportional to weight.
| # | Holding | Weight |
|---|
| # | Holding | Weight |
|---|
Top ten sums: SOXX 62.7% · ROBO 17.9%. 0 shared top-ten holdings. Weights change.
SOXX vs ROBO sector exposure
SOXX: Nov 6, 2026 · ROBO: Nov 9, 2026The sector mirror
Same funds, different lenses
Company size
SOXX holds 30 stocks and ROBO holds 79. Theme funds that weight by market value lean toward very large companies, while equal-weight designs give smaller companies more say.
What you actually own
SOXX vs ROBO performance
Matched dates, both to Sep 30, 2026All rows come from the issuer pages and are dated Sep 30, 2026 for both funds, so they compare like for like. NAV returns include fees; market price and index returns are shown beside them where the issuer published them. “Since inception” starts in different years (SOXX 2001, ROBO 2013). Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Growth of a hypothetical $10,000 · NAV total return, both to Sep 30, 2026
Both funds derived from issuer NAV total returns on matched dates (compounded). Fund expenses are already in NAV. Illustration, not a forecast.
SOXX vs ROBO yield, dividends and dividend growth
Yield and distribution facts| Measure | SOXX | ROBO |
|---|---|---|
| 30-day SEC yield | 0.11% | Not captured |
| Trailing 12-month | 0.22% | Not captured |
| Paid, last 12 months | $0.417 | Not captured |
| Frequency | Quarterly | Annual |
Theme funds like these pay little income. The 30-day SEC yield was 0.11% for SOXX and not captured for ROBO, and a figure near zero or below means fund costs use up most of the dividends the stocks pay. These funds are held for growth, not yield. Gaps are marked Not captured. See what is dividend yield and yield vs total return.
SOXX vs ROBO concentration and overlap
Ten largest positions · shared holdingsRank by rank, the ten largest holdings of each fund. Top five: SOXX 39.1%, ROBO 9.6%. Top ten: SOXX 62.7%, ROBO 17.9%.
SOXX vs ROBO trading and liquidity
Issuer fund pages · Nov 9, 2026The issuers report 30-day median bid/ask spreads of 0.02% for SOXX and 0.32% for ROBO. A spread of 0.05% is about $50 between the buy and sell price on $100,000, and smaller funds usually cost more to trade than larger ones. Funds with many foreign holdings can also trade at a premium or discount to NAV when overseas markets are closed. Use limit orders for large trades and avoid the first and last minutes of the session. See creation, redemption and trading.
SOXX vs ROBO expense ratio and fees in dollars
As stated by each issuer| Balance | SOXX (0.33%) | ROBO (0.95%) | Gap per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10,000 | $33 | $95 | $62 |
| $50,000 | $165 | $475 | $310 |
| $100,000 | $330 | $950 | $620 |
The expense ratio is taken from fund assets, not billed to you. Fees exclude the bid/ask spread, any premium or discount to NAV, brokerage commissions and taxes.
SOXX vs ROBO, how each fund picks its stocks
Index approach, in plain languageSOXX · NYSE Semiconductor Index
SOXX tracks the NYSE Semiconductor Index. It holds 30 U.S.-listed chip companies with caps that keep the largest names closer together. It was launched in 2001, and the ten largest holdings total 62.7% of the fund. Index rules and rebalance dates are in the prospectus.
ROBO · ROBO Global Robotics and Automation Index
ROBO tracks the ROBO Global Robotics and Automation Index. It holds about 80 robotics and automation companies worldwide at similar weights, so no stock is above 2.5%. It was launched in 2013, and the ten largest holdings total 17.9% of the fund. Index rules and rebalance dates are in the prospectus.
Exact eligibility rules, caps and rebalance dates sit in each prospectus and index methodology; read them before relying on this summary.
SOXX vs ROBO, why yield and returns differ
Sector mix explains much of the gapThey cover different themes. SOXX is a semiconductor fund and ROBO is a robotics and automation fund. SOXX follows the NYSE Semiconductor Index, which holds 30 chip companies and caps the weight of the largest ones. ROBO follows the ROBO Global index, which spreads weight almost evenly across its members.
Because each index sets its own rules, the funds hold different stocks at different weights, and that explains most of the gap in returns. A fund that puts more weight in its largest companies will follow those companies closely, while an evenly weighted fund behaves more like an average of many smaller ones. Fees matter less than holdings over short periods and more over long ones.
How to decide between SOXX and ROBO
A step-by-step frameworkStart with what separates them: They cover different themes. SOXX is a semiconductor fund and ROBO is a robotics and automation fund. SOXX follows the NYSE Semiconductor Index, which holds 30 chip companies and caps the weight of the largest ones. ROBO follows the ROBO Global index, which spreads weight almost evenly across its members. Then check what you already own: the funds overlap by 4.9%, so holding both is a real decision about how much of each theme you want.
- Step 1 · Theme: SOXX is a semiconductor fund and ROBO is a robotics and automation fund.
- Step 2 · Concentration: the ten largest holdings are 62.7% of SOXX and 17.9% of ROBO.
- Step 3 · Cost: SOXX 0.33% vs ROBO 0.95%.
- Step 4 · Overlap with your core: large technology companies also sit in S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100 funds, so use the Diversification Calculator against what you own.
Size the position against your whole portfolio. Theme funds are volatile, so they usually play a small, deliberate role beside a core fund.
SOXX vs ROBO for Canadian investors
Currency, withholding tax and account typeSOXX and ROBO are U.S.-listed and trade in U.S. dollars, so buying them from a Canadian account usually involves converting Canadian dollars, which adds a cost on entry and exit. A move in the U.S. dollar also changes your return in Canadian dollars.
Dividends from U.S.-listed funds are generally subject to U.S. withholding tax for Canadian holders, with treatment that depends on the account type. These funds pay little income, so the effect is small, but confirm the rules for your account with a tax professional. This is general education, not tax advice.
Risks of SOXX and ROBO
What can go wrongShared risks
- Theme funds are concentrated in one industry or idea, so they can fall much further than the broad market.
- Valuations in technology themes can be high, and prices can drop sharply when growth expectations change.
- Returns can differ widely from one period to the next; a strong year often follows or precedes a weak one.
- Neither fund pays meaningful income, so the return depends on price.
Fund-specific risks
- SOXX: ten largest holdings total 62.7% of the fund (Nov 6, 2026); 30 stocks.
- ROBO: ten largest holdings total 17.9% of the fund (Nov 9, 2026); 79 stocks.
- SOXX: holds only chip companies, an industry known for sharp cycles. ROBO: charges 0.95%, the highest fee in this group, and holds many smaller foreign companies.
- Both: the funds track indexes with their own rules, so holdings change at each rebalance.
SOXX vs ROBO taxes and account placement
General education, not tax adviceBoth funds hold stocks and are taxed like other equity ETFs. Distributions are small, and gains are taxed when you sell, at rates that depend on how long you held the shares and on your own situation. Funds with foreign holdings may pay some foreign tax inside the fund.
For Canadian account types and withholding tax, see the Canadian section above. Confirm the rules for your account with a tax professional, and read how to build an ETF portfolio.
Other ETFs people compare
For context, not recommendationsInvestors comparing SOXX and ROBO often also look at the other thematic funds in this group: SMH, SOXX, BOTZ, ROBO, AIQ and SKYY. See the other thematic ETFs comparisons, the broader growth and tech ETFs and the ETF research hub.
SOXX vs ROBO drawdown arithmetic
What a decline means in dollarsRecovery gain = decline ÷ (1 − decline). The scenarios use illustrative declines of 10%, 20% and 30% so you can see what a drop does to each fund. They are a rough guide to a bad year, not a worst-case figure. See the Position Size Calculator.
Tools to compare SOXX vs ROBO
Static weights from this pageIgnores taxes, spreads and holdings differences. ETF Fee Calculator.
Check shared exposure with the Diversification Calculator.
SOXX vs ROBO, which fits which job
Characteristics, not recommendationsSOXX may suit investors who want…
Chip exposure with flatter weights across 30 names.
Strengths
- Lower fee: 0.33% against 0.95%
- Led in 4 of 4 return windows (both to Sep 30, 2026)
- 30 holdings
- Exchange-traded and priced all day
Watch points
- Heavier top ten: 62.7% against 17.9%
- Narrow theme exposure
- Not a complete portfolio
ROBO may suit investors who want…
A broad, evenly weighted robotics and automation basket.
Strengths
- Flatter top ten: 17.9% against 62.7%
- 79 holdings
- Exchange-traded and priced all day
Watch points
- Higher fee: 0.95% against 0.33%
- Led in 0 of 4 return windows (both to Sep 30, 2026)
- Narrow theme exposure
- Not a complete portfolio
SOXX vs ROBO investor scenarios
Characteristics that fit, not recommendationsSOXX vs ROBO key terms
Plain-language definitions
SOXX vs ROBO, frequently asked questions
Answers use the figures and dates shown aboveIs SOXX or ROBO better?
In the SOXX vs ROBO question, neither is better for everyone. SOXX and ROBO differ in what they hold and what they charge. They cover different themes. SOXX is a semiconductor fund and ROBO is a robotics and automation fund. SOXX follows the NYSE Semiconductor Index, which holds 30 chip companies and caps the weight of the largest ones.
ROBO follows the ROBO Global index, which spreads weight almost evenly across its members. Expense ratios are 0.33% and 0.95%. NAV total returns, annualized (both to Sep 30, 2026): 1 year 110.14% vs 23.09%; 3 years 54.08% vs 17.23%; 5 years 31.76% vs 4.72%; 10 years 32.41% vs 11.29%. Neither is better for everyone; the choice turns on which theme you want, how concentrated you are willing to be and what you already own.
SOXX vs ROBO, what are the expense ratios?
SOXX charges 0.33% and ROBO charges 0.95%, which is $33 and $95 a year per $10,000.
SOXX vs ROBO, how much do the funds overlap?
On SOXX vs ROBO, about 4.9% of the weight is held by both funds, matched by ticker in issuer holdings dated Nov 6, 2026 and Nov 9, 2026. 4 stocks are held by both, and 0 appear in both top-ten lists.
SOXX vs ROBO, what does each ETF track?
SOXX tracks the NYSE Semiconductor Index. ROBO tracks the ROBO Global Robotics and Automation Index.
SOXX vs ROBO, what are the top holdings?
SOXX (Nov 6, 2026): Advanced Micro Devices 9.46%, Nvidia 8.38%, Broadcom 7.86%, Micron Technology 7.13%, Intel 6.23%. ROBO (Nov 9, 2026): Intuitive Surgical 2.42%, PTC Inc 1.91%, Novanta 1.82%, Emerson Electric 1.77%, Fanuc 1.71%.
SOXX vs ROBO, which has performed better?
NAV total returns, annualized (both to Sep 30, 2026): 1 year 110.14% vs 23.09%; 3 years 54.08% vs 17.23%; 5 years 31.76% vs 4.72%; 10 years 32.41% vs 11.29%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
SOXX vs ROBO, can I own both?
On SOXX vs ROBO, you can. They overlap by about 4.9%. The funds share almost nothing, so owning both means holding two separate themes.
SOXX vs ROBO, do the funds pay dividends?
On SOXX vs ROBO, only small amounts. The 30-day SEC yield was 0.11% for SOXX and not captured for ROBO, so income is not the reason to hold either fund.
SOXX vs ROBO, how concentrated are the funds?
The ten largest holdings are 62.7% of SOXX and 17.9% of ROBO. The largest single holding is Advanced Micro Devices at 9.46% in SOXX and Intuitive Surgical at 2.42% in ROBO.
SOXX vs ROBO, are they suitable for Canadian investors?
On SOXX vs ROBO, both are U.S.-listed and trade in U.S. dollars, so Canadians face currency conversion costs and U.S. withholding tax on the small dividends. Treatment differs across TFSA, RRSP and taxable accounts. This is general education, not tax advice.
SOXX vs ROBO documents and sources
Open the issuer documents before relying on any figureSOXX · iShares
ROBO · ROBO Global
Third-party sources
iShares SOXX fund page · ROBO Global ROBO fund page.
Methodology and limits
- SOXX figures come from the iShares fund page and ROBO figures from the ROBO Global fund page.
- Dates are shown beside each figure; the issuer documents are linked below.
- Holdings overlap is the sum of the smaller weight of each ticker held by both funds, using each issuer’s full holdings list (Nov 6, 2026 and Nov 9, 2026). Cash and futures are left out.
- Industry groups on this page are assigned by this site from each stock’s main business, using one scheme for every fund, so they will not match an issuer’s own sector table.
- Figures an issuer page does not show are marked Not captured, and nothing was filled from memory or from another fund.
- Growth of $10,000 is derived from annualized NAV total returns on matched dates; dollar values are approximate.
Educational research, not personalized investment, tax or legal advice, and not a recommendation to buy or sell any fund. Investing involves risk, including loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Calculators are hypothetical illustrations. Fund data are provided as published by the sources named and may differ from current figures.