US-listed · NASDAQ · FIF-eligible (above NZ$50K)
iShares SOXX iShares Semiconductor ETF
Tracks the PHLX SOX Semiconductor Sector Index — ~30 US-listed semiconductor companies. iShares alternative to SMH; slightly different index methodology.
Updated Reviewed quarterly
About this fund
What is SOXX?
SOXX is the US-listed ticker for iShares Semiconductor ETF, issued by iShares. Tracks the PHLX SOX Semiconductor Sector Index — ~30 US-listed semiconductor companies. iShares alternative to SMH; slightly different index methodology. TER is 0.35% per year, with a trailing 12-month distribution yield of approximately 0.8%. Distributions are paid quarterly.
How to buy
Where can I buy SOXX from New Zealand?
Hatch NZ-built. US$3 flat per trade, ~0.5% FX.
Stake Commission-free US shares; ~0.7% FX.
Sharesies NZ + AU + US in one account; tiered subscription pricing.
Interactive Brokers Tiered commissions; FX margin ~0.002% (lowest published of platforms reviewed).
See the full platform comparison for fees, minimums, and supported markets across all 11 NZ-accessible brokers.
NZ tax
How is SOXX taxed for NZ investors?
SOXX is US-listed, so it sits in the Foreign Investment Fund (FIF) regime once your overseas-share holdings exceed NZ$50,000 cost basis. Below that threshold, the FIF regime does not apply and you pay tax on dividends only.
Above NZ$50K cost basis, most NZ retail investors use the Fair Dividend Rate (FDR) method — deemed income = 5% × opening market value × your marginal tax rate. FDR vs CV method →
US dividends carry 15% US withholding tax under the NZ–US tax treaty (file a W-8BEN with your broker; without it, the rate is 30%). The 15% can be claimed as a foreign tax credit on your IR3.
Tax outcomes depend on your portfolio size, marginal rate, and FDR-vs-CV election. See PIE vs FIF for the full comparison and consult a registered NZ tax adviser for personalised guidance.
FAQ
Common questions about SOXX
What is the SOXX ETF? ⌄
SOXX is the iShares Semiconductor ETF — it tracks the PHLX SOX Semiconductor Sector Index, holding ~30 US-listed semiconductor companies. Top holdings include Nvidia, Broadcom, AMD, Qualcomm, Applied Materials, Texas Instruments. TER is 0.35%, distributions paid quarterly. Yield ~0.8%.
SOXX vs SMH — what's the difference? ⌄
Both track US-listed semiconductors. SOXX tracks the PHLX SOX index (more equal-weighted, ~30 companies); SMH tracks the MVIS index (more cap-weighted, top 25). SOXX has slightly lower mega-cap concentration; SMH leans more on Nvidia, TSMC, Broadcom. Same 0.35% TER. Performance typically within 0.3-0.5% of each other annually. Choice is operational + index preference.
Can NZ residents buy SOXX? ⌄
Yes. SOXX is available via Hatch, Stake, Sharesies (US market), and Interactive Brokers. Above NZ$50,000 cost basis FIF rules apply. Quarterly distributions (vs SMH's annual) carry 15% US withholding under the NZ-US treaty (with W-8BEN).
Why semiconductor exposure separately vs broader tech? ⌄
Semis have higher volatility + cyclicality than broader tech, but historically higher long-term return. They also have a different demand cycle (chip shortages, AI capex booms) than software / services. Holding SOXX or SMH alongside VGT or QQQM is a deliberate cyclical-overweight; pure-tech-sector exposure (VGT) is broader and less cyclical.
Related ETFs and resources
SMH — VanEck Semiconductor (sibling)
Same sector exposure, different index methodology.
VGT — Vanguard Information Technology (broader)
Broader tech-sector exposure at 0.10% TER.
QQQM — Invesco Nasdaq-100
Tech-heavy Nasdaq-100; ~30% in semis.
SOXL — 3× leveraged semiconductor (high risk)
Tactical-trading-only; daily-reset decay applies.
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