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SOXX vs TRFK
Which ETF would AI Choose? iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) vs. Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF (TRFK)
Key Takeaways
- SOXX provides concentrated exposure to approximately 30 semiconductor companies via a passive index-tracking strategy, while TRFK offers broader thematic exposure to data and digital revolution companies across roughly 70-100 holdings.
- Both ETFs carry significant semiconductor weightings, but SOXX focuses exclusively on the semiconductor value chain, whereas TRFK incorporates additional data transmission, storage, and ancillary digital services.
- SOXX maintains a lower expense ratio of 0.33% compared to TRFK’s 0.49%, reflecting its more narrowly defined passive benchmark.
- Structural differences include SOXX’s non-diversified status and high concentration in top holdings versus TRFK’s rules-based global equity selection with slightly wider diversification.
- In the current environment of artificial intelligence (AI) adoption and data infrastructure buildout, both funds benefit from similar catalysts but exhibit distinct risk profiles due to concentration and thematic breadth.
- Liquidity favors SOXX with substantially higher average daily trading volume, supporting tighter bid-ask spreads for institutional and retail investors alike.
Introduction
The iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) and Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF (TRFK) both target technology-driven growth themes centered on semiconductors and digital infrastructure. While they do not compete directly as identical strategies, they serve as complementary or alternative vehicles for investors seeking exposure to the semiconductor ecosystem and the expanding data economy. SOXX delivers pure-play semiconductor sector access, whereas TRFK applies a broader thematic lens that encompasses data-related industries, making the comparison relevant for portfolio construction decisions in an environment shaped by AI and digital transformation.
iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) Overview
SOXX is a passive exchange-traded fund that seeks to track the performance of the NYSE Semiconductor Index, composed of U.S.-listed equities in the semiconductor sector. The fund typically holds around 30 securities and is non-diversified. Top holdings generally include leading semiconductor designers and manufacturers such as NVIDIA Corporation, Broadcom Inc., and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. Sector allocation is overwhelmingly concentrated in technology, specifically semiconductors. The expense ratio stands at 0.33%. SOXX employs full replication methodology where feasible and rebalances in line with its underlying index. It trades on NASDAQ with strong liquidity characteristics.
Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF (TRFK) Overview
TRFK is a passive, rules-based ETF designed to track the Pacer Data Transmission and Communication Revolution Index. The fund invests in globally listed stocks and depositary receipts of companies deriving significant revenue from data use, manipulation, transmission, storage, and related ancillary services. It typically holds between 70 and 100 securities. Top holdings feature semiconductor leaders alongside communications and software firms. Sector exposure remains heavily weighted toward technology but includes modest allocations to industrials and other supporting areas. The expense ratio is 0.49%. TRFK uses a market-capitalization-weighted approach with periodic index-driven rebalancing and trades on NYSE American.
Industry and Thematic Backdrop
The semiconductor and broader data infrastructure sectors continue to experience robust demand driven by artificial intelligence training and inference workloads, cloud computing expansion, and 5G/edge deployment. Capital expenditures by hyperscalers and chipmakers remain elevated, supported by long-term secular trends in digitalization. Regulatory developments around export controls and supply-chain resilience introduce ongoing considerations for global exposure. Macroeconomic factors such as interest rate trajectories and corporate capital spending cycles influence near-term sentiment, while geopolitical tensions add volatility to supply chains. Both ETFs operate within this dynamic environment where innovation cycles and infrastructure investments serve as primary growth drivers.
Performance and Positioning Comparison
Over recent market cycles, SOXX has demonstrated higher volatility consistent with its concentrated semiconductor focus and elevated beta to the broader technology sector. TRFK’s broader thematic construction has provided modestly different return patterns, incorporating exposure beyond pure semiconductors into data services and software. During periods of semiconductor strength tied to AI chip demand, SOXX has often led; in rotations favoring diversified technology or infrastructure plays, TRFK has shown relative resilience. Both funds have benefited from earnings growth among leading holdings, yet differences in concentration and geographic reach contribute to distinct risk-return profiles across varying macroeconomic regimes.
AI Screener
Tickeron’s AI Screener is an AI-powered stock and ETF discovery tool that helps traders and investors filter the market based on technical patterns, fundamentals, trends, volatility, and AI-driven signals. Users can scan thousands of stocks and ETFs using customizable filters such as industry, market capitalization, technical indicators, price patterns, and performance metrics. The screener helps identify trade ideas, trending stocks, breakout candidates, and market opportunities more efficiently than manual screening.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable structural factors including lower expense ratio, concentrated yet high-quality holdings in a high-momentum sector, and superior liquidity profile, Tickeron’s AI would currently assign a higher probabilistic preference to SOXX for investors seeking targeted semiconductor exposure. TRFK offers attractive thematic breadth for those prioritizing diversified data-economy participation, though at a higher cost and with slightly lower trading efficiency. Selection ultimately depends on individual risk tolerance and portfolio objectives.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is SOXX is a Hold and TRFK is a Hold.
SOXX sees MACD Histogram crosses below signal line
SOXX saw its Moving Average Convergence Divergence Histogram (MACD) turn negative on October 09, 2026. This is a bearish signal that suggests the stock could decline going forward. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 51 instances where the indicator turned negative. In 47 of the 51 cases the stock moved lower in the days that followed. This puts the odds of a downward move at 90%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved below the 0 level on October 08, 2026. You may want to consider selling the stock, shorting the stock, or exploring put options on SOXX as a result. In 72 of 85 cases where the Momentum Indicator fell below 0, the stock fell further within the subsequent month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 85%.
SOXX moved below its 50-day moving average on October 14, 2026 date and that indicates a change from an upward trend to a downward trend.
The 10-day moving average for SOXX crossed bearishly below the 50-day moving average on October 20, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted lower and could be considered a sell signal. In 13 of 15 past instances when the 10-day crossed below the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 87%.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where SOXX declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 85%.
Bullish Trend Analysis
The RSI Oscillator points to a transition from a downward trend to an upward trend -- in cases where SOXX's RSI Oscillator exited the oversold zone, 21 of 21 resulted in an increase in price. Tickeron's analysis proposes that the odds of a continued upward trend are 90%.
The Stochastic Oscillator shows that the ticker has stayed in the oversold zone for 7 days. The price of this ticker is presumed to bounce back soon, since the longer the ticker stays in the oversold zone, the more promptly an upward trend is expected.
Following a +2.29% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where SOXX advanced for three days, in 310 of 349 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 89%.
SOXX may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options.
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In 285 of 307 cases where SOXX Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are 90%.
TRFK sees MACD Histogram just turned negative
TRFK saw its Moving Average Convergence Divergence Histogram (MACD) turn negative on October 08, 2026. This is a bearish signal that suggests the stock could decline going forward. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 45 instances where the indicator turned negative. In 40 of the 45 cases the stock moved lower in the days that followed. This puts the odds of a downward move at 89%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved below the 0 level on October 08, 2026. You may want to consider selling the stock, shorting the stock, or exploring put options on TRFK as a result. In 54 of 67 cases where the Momentum Indicator fell below 0, the stock fell further within the subsequent month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 81%.
TRFK moved below its 50-day moving average on October 14, 2026 date and that indicates a change from an upward trend to a downward trend.
The 10-day moving average for TRFK crossed bearishly below the 50-day moving average on October 19, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted lower and could be considered a sell signal. In 12 of 16 past instances when the 10-day crossed below the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 75%.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where TRFK declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 76%.
Bullish Trend Analysis
The RSI Oscillator points to a transition from a downward trend to an upward trend -- in cases where TRFK's RSI Indicator exited the oversold zone, 20 of 20 resulted in an increase in price. Tickeron's analysis proposes that the odds of a continued upward trend are 90%.
The Stochastic Oscillator shows that the ticker has stayed in the oversold zone for 7 days. The price of this ticker is presumed to bounce back soon, since the longer the ticker stays in the oversold zone, the more promptly an upward trend is expected.
Following a +0.57% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where TRFK advanced for three days, in 297 of 329 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 90%.
TRFK may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options.
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In 272 of 295 cases where TRFK Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are 90%.
| SOXX | TRFK | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 90% | 2 days ago 90% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 90% | 2 days ago 90% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 85% | 2 days ago 81% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 90% | 2 days ago 89% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 87% | 2 days ago 77% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 88% | 2 days ago 81% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 18 days ago 89% | 17 days ago 90% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 7 days ago 85% | 7 days ago 76% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 90% | 2 days ago 87% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 90% | 2 days ago 90% |
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TRFK and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, TRFK has been closely correlated with NVT. These tickers have moved in lockstep 73% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if TRFK jumps, then NVT could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To TRFK | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TRFK | 100% | +2.14% | ||
| NVT - TRFK | 73% Closely correlated | +4.54% | ||
| ETN - TRFK | 69% Closely correlated | +3.13% | ||
| ANET - TRFK | 67% Closely correlated | +1.73% | ||
| VRT - TRFK | 67% Closely correlated | +4.22% | ||
| CIEN - TRFK | 64% Loosely correlated | +5.67% | ||
More | ||||
| 1 Day | |||
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| ClearShares OCIO ETF (OCIO) | |||
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| EFAV | 95.31 | 0.03 | +0.03% |
| iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF (EFAV) | |||
| USFI | 23.81 | 0.01 | +0.02% |
| BrandywineGLOBAL - U.S. Fixed Income ETF (USFI) | |||
| FFIU | 20.76 | -0.01 | -0.03% |
| UVA Unconstrained Medium-Term Fixed Income ETF (FFIU) | |||