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6 Best-Performing Semiconductor ETFs in July

Back to libraryUnknown authorJul 18, 2026
6 Best-Performing Semiconductor ETFs in July

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6 Best-Performing Semiconductor ETFs in July

If you don’t have the risk appetite for individual semiconductor stocks like NVIDIA, you can invest in semiconductor ETFs.

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Sam Taube writes about investing for NerdWallet. He has covered investing and financial news since earning his economics degree from the University of Maryland in 2016. Sam has previously written for Investopedia, Benzinga, Seeking Alpha, Wealth Daily and Investment U, and has worked as an editor for Investment U, Wealth Daily and Haven Investment Letter. He is based in Brooklyn, New York.

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Semiconductors — the tiny chips that power everything from cell phones to AI computing — work behind the scenes to keep modern technology running. Demand for faster, more efficient chips continues to grow, suggesting this sector will remain important to the tech market for years to come.

Semiconductors — the tiny chips that power everything from cell phones to AI computing — work behind the scenes to keep modern technology running. Demand for faster, more efficient chips continues to grow, suggesting this sector will remain important to the tech market for years to come.

For investors seeking exposure to this space but skeptical of their ability to uncover the next NVIDIA, semiconductor ETFs offer access to the industry without having to bet all of your chips on one company.

For investors seeking exposure to this space but skeptical of their ability to uncover the next NVIDIA, semiconductor ETFs offer access to the industry without having to bet all of your chips on one company.

Below are the best-performing semiconductor ETFs from the last year.

Below are the best-performing semiconductor ETFs from the last year.

6 best semiconductor ETFs by performance

6 best semiconductor ETFs by performance

The best-performing semiconductor ETF by one-year return is Invesco Semiconductors ETF (PSI), which is up 195.34%.

The best-performing semiconductor ETF by one-year return is Invesco Semiconductors ETF (PSI), which is up 195.34%.

The best-performing semiconductor ETF by one-year return is Invesco Semiconductors ETF (PSI), which is up 195.34%.

Ticker

Ticker

Company

Company

Performance (Year)

Performance (Year)

PSI

PSI

Invesco Semiconductors ETF

Invesco Semiconductors ETF

195.34%

195.34%

FTXL

FTXL

First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF

First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF

185.33%

185.33%

SOXX

SOXX

iShares Semiconductor ETF

iShares Semiconductor ETF

157.34%

157.34%

SOXQ

SOXQ

Invesco PHLX Semiconductor ETF

Invesco PHLX Semiconductor ETF

146.87%

146.87%

XSD

XSD

State Street SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF

State Street SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF

134.76%

134.76%

SMH

SMH

VanEck Semiconductor ETF

VanEck Semiconductor ETF

128.62%

128.62%

Source: Finviz. Data is current as of July 1, 2026, and is intended for informational purposes only.

Source: Finviz. Data is current as of July 1, 2026, and is intended for informational purposes only.

» Curious about other semiconductor securities? Explore semiconductor stocks

» » Curious about other semiconductor securities? Curious about other semiconductor securities? Explore semiconductor stocks

Types of semiconductor ETFs

Types of semiconductor ETFs

The funds shown above are thematic ETFs, which are basically just semiconductor index funds and may be used for more long-term investing. But there are a few other types of semiconductor ETFs to be aware of, such as single-stock ETFs and leveraged ETFs.

The funds shown above are thematic ETFs, which are basically just semiconductor index funds and may be used for more long-term investing. But there are a few other types of semiconductor ETFs to be aware of, such as single-stock ETFs and leveraged ETFs.

Single-stock ETFs seek to deliver some multiple of the daily returns of an individual semiconductor stock. These are typically used for high-risk, short-term speculation on a single company. An example of a single-stock ETF is GraniteShares 1.5x Long NVDA Daily ETF (NVDL), which returns 1.5 times the daily return of NVIDIA.

Single-stock ETFs Single-stock ETFs seek to deliver some multiple of the daily returns of an individual semiconductor stock. These are typically used for high-risk, short-term speculation on a single company. An example of a single-stock ETF is GraniteShares 1.5x Long NVDA Daily ETF (NVDL), which returns 1.5 times the daily return of NVIDIA.

Leveraged ETFs seek to deliver some multiple of the daily return of an entire index. The Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3x Shares (SOXL), for example, returns three times the NYSE Semiconductor Index. Like single-stock ETFs, they are often used for speculative trading.

Leveraged ETFs Leveraged ETFs seek to deliver some multiple of the daily return of an entire index. The Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3x Shares (SOXL), for example, returns three times the NYSE Semiconductor Index. Like single-stock ETFs, they are often used for speculative trading.

» Zoom out: The best ETFs tracking popular indexes

» Zoom out: » Zoom out: The best ETFs tracking popular indexes

Brokerage firms

Brokerage firms

Brokerage firms
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on Charles Schwab's website

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on E*TRADE's website

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on Vanguard's website

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on Fidelity's website

How to buy semiconductor ETFs

How to buy semiconductor ETFs

If you don't have an investment account — such as a brokerage account or an individual retirement account (IRA) — you'll need one of those to invest in semiconductor ETFs. Then, you'll need to determine how semiconductor ETFs fit into your portfolio — and which kind you want. It's important to research ETFs before buying, just as you'd research stocks.

If you don't have an investment account — such as a brokerage account or an individual retirement account (IRA) — you'll need one of those to invest in semiconductor ETFs. Then, you'll need to determine how semiconductor ETFs fit into your portfolio — and which kind you want. It's important to research ETFs before buying, just as you'd research stocks.

If you're day trading with a little bit of "play money," and you don't mind taking on a lot of risk for a potential short-term profit, single-stock ETFs or leveraged ETFs in the semiconductor space might be what you're looking for. If you're looking to invest in semiconductor stocks for the long term, however, you may find a thematic semiconductor ETF less volatile.

If you're day trading with a little bit of "play money," and you don't mind taking on a lot of risk for a potential short-term profit, single-stock ETFs or leveraged ETFs in the semiconductor space might be what you're looking for. If you're looking to invest in semiconductor stocks for the long term, however, you may find a thematic semiconductor ETF less volatile.

» Check out our list of the best brokers for ETFs

» » » Check out our list of the best brokers for ETFs

Neither the author nor editor owned shares in the aforementioned investments at the time of publication.

Neither the author nor editor owned shares in the aforementioned investments at the time of publication. Neither the author nor editor owned shares in the aforementioned investments at the time of publication. About the author Sam Taube Sam Taube Sam Taube writes about investing for NerdWallet. He has covered investing and financial news since earning his economics degree in 2016. See full bio.

Helpful resources

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