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^NBI vs. ^IXIC
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility

^NBI vs. ^IXIC

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

^NBI (NASDAQ Biotechnology Index) and ^IXIC (NASDAQ Composite) are both indexes. Over the past 10 years, ^NBI returned 7.10%/yr vs 18.37%/yr for ^IXIC. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

^NBI vs. ^IXIC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (^NBI) and NASDAQ Composite (^IXIC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ^NBI achieves a 4.11% return, which is significantly lower than ^IXIC's 15.44% return. Over the past 10 years, ^NBI has underperformed ^IXIC with an annualized return of 7.10%, while ^IXIC has yielded a comparatively higher 18.37% annualized return.

^NBI

1D
2.32%
1M
0.53%
YTD
4.11%
6M
3.07%
1Y
42.03%
3Y*
12.52%
5Y*
4.34%
10Y*
7.10%

^IXIC

1D
-0.09%
1M
5.94%
YTD
15.44%
6M
14.15%
1Y
37.87%
3Y*
26.58%
5Y*
14.20%
10Y*
18.37%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

^NBI vs. ^IXIC - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
^NBI
NASDAQ Biotechnology Index		4.11%32.40%-1.37%3.74%-10.91%-0.63%25.69%24.41%-9.32%21.06%
^IXIC
NASDAQ Composite		15.44%20.36%28.64%43.42%-33.10%21.39%43.64%35.23%-3.88%28.24%

Correlation

The correlation between ^NBI and ^IXIC is 0.41, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.41

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.47

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.57

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.64

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 2, 1993

0.70

Over the past year, the correlation between ^NBI and ^IXIC has dropped to 0.41 - well below their long-term average of 0.70, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

NASDAQ Biotechnology Index

NASDAQ Composite

Often compared with ^NBI:
^NBI vs. XBI^NBI vs. ^SPXHC^NBI vs. NLR^NBI vs. ^GSPC^NBI vs. nlr^NBI vs. GQETX^NBI vs. ACWX
Often compared with ^IXIC:
^IXIC vs. ^NDX^IXIC vs. QQQ^IXIC vs. ONEQ^IXIC vs. TQQQ^IXIC vs. QQQM^IXIC vs. SPY^IXIC vs. BZ=F

Return for Risk

^NBI vs. ^IXIC — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
^NBI
^NBI Risk / Return Rank: 8080
Overall Rank
^NBI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7171
Sharpe Ratio Rank
^NBI Sortino Ratio Rank: 7171
Sortino Ratio Rank
^NBI Omega Ratio Rank: 7070
Omega Ratio Rank
^NBI Calmar Ratio Rank: 9595
Calmar Ratio Rank
^NBI Martin Ratio Rank: 9292
Martin Ratio Rank
^IXIC
^IXIC Risk / Return Rank: 7575
Overall Rank
^IXIC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8080
Sharpe Ratio Rank
^IXIC Sortino Ratio Rank: 7777
Sortino Ratio Rank
^IXIC Omega Ratio Rank: 7575
Omega Ratio Rank
^IXIC Calmar Ratio Rank: 7070
Calmar Ratio Rank
^IXIC Martin Ratio Rank: 7575
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

^NBI vs. ^IXIC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (^NBI) and NASDAQ Composite (^IXIC). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

^NBI^IXICDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.12
2.34

-0.23

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.96
3.09

-0.13

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.35

1.40

-0.05

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

5.00

2.88

+2.11

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

16.36

11.23

+5.14

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

^NBI vs. ^IXIC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ^NBI Sharpe Ratio is 2.12, which is comparable to the ^IXIC Sharpe Ratio of 2.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ^NBI and ^IXIC, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

^NBI^IXICDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

2.12

2.34

-0.23

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.20

0.64

-0.44

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.30

0.84

-0.53

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.39

0.53

-0.13

Drawdowns

^NBI vs. ^IXIC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ^NBI drawdown since its inception was -74.70%, roughly equal to the maximum ^IXIC drawdown of -77.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ^NBI and ^IXIC.

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Drawdown Indicators

^NBI^IXICDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-74.70%

-77.93%

+3.23%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-8.45%

-13.21%

+4.76%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-24.08%

-24.32%

+0.24%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-38.50%

-36.40%

-2.10%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-38.50%

-36.40%

-2.10%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-3.10%

-0.97%

-2.13%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-26.60%

-21.40%

-5.20%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.58%

3.38%

-0.80%

Volatility

^NBI vs. ^IXIC - Volatility Comparison

NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (^NBI) has a higher volatility of 7.40% compared to NASDAQ Composite (^IXIC) at 4.23%. This indicates that ^NBI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ^IXIC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

^NBI^IXICDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

7.40%

4.23%

+3.17%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

15.47%

12.13%

+3.34%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

19.96%

16.24%

+3.72%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

22.02%

22.43%

-0.41%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

23.44%

22.01%

+1.43%

Frequently Asked Questions

^NBI and ^IXIC have a correlation of 0.41, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

^NBI has higher volatility (7.40%) compared to ^IXIC (4.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ^NBI dropped -74.70% vs ^IXIC's -77.93%.

^IXIC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.34 vs 2.12), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.

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