ACES vs. SBIO

Last updated Jul 18, 2026

ACES (ALPS Clean Energy ETF) and SBIO (ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ACES is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the CIBC Atlas Clean Energy Index, while SBIO is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the S-Network Medical Breakthroughs Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ACES returned -12.91%/yr vs 8.21%/yr for SBIO. A 0.54 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ACES charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for SBIO.

Performance

ACES vs. SBIO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ALPS Clean Energy ETF (ACES) and ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF (SBIO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ACES achieves a 0.46% return, which is significantly lower than SBIO's 27.29% return.

ACES

• 1D: 0.49%
• 1M: -9.51%
• 6M: -8.10%
• YTD: 0.46%
• 1Y: 17.11%
• 3Y*: -12.20%
• 5Y*: -12.91%
• 10Y*: —

SBIO

• 1D: 2.77%
• 1M: 20.18%
• 6M: 27.67%
• YTD: 27.29%
• 1Y: 94.61%
• 3Y*: 27.70%
• 5Y*: 8.21%
• 10Y*: 11.75%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ACES vs. SBIO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
ACES ALPS Clean Energy ETF	0.46%	25.44%	-26.71%	-20.04%	-28.44%	-19.44%	140.33%	51.70%	-9.81%
SBIO ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF	27.29%	55.07%	3.81%	8.68%	-28.08%	-17.55%	21.17%	50.30%	-21.52%

Correlation

The correlation between ACES and SBIO is 0.33, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.33
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.45
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.53
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 29, 2018	0.54

Over the past year, the correlation between ACES and SBIO has dropped to 0.33 - well below their long-term average of 0.54, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

ACES vs. SBIO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ACES	SBIO
Technology	30.1%	-
Utilities	23.8%	-
Industrials	21.6%	-
Consumer Cyclical	9.9%	-
Basic Materials	7.3%	-
Financial Services	4.4%	-0.0%
Consumer Defensive	2.5%	-
Energy	0.4%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	100.0%
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

ACES vs. SBIO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

ACES

ACES Risk / Return Rank: 20
ACES Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
ACES Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
ACES Omega Ratio Rank: 19
ACES Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
ACES Martin Ratio Rank: 21

SBIO

SBIO Risk / Return Rank: 94
SBIO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
SBIO Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
SBIO Omega Ratio Rank: 91
SBIO Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
SBIO Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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.

ACES vs. SBIO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ALPS Clean Energy ETF (ACES) and ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF (SBIO). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	ACES	SBIO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.50	3.11	-2.60
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.90	3.91	-3.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.47	-0.36
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.70	7.52	-6.82
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.83	20.69	-18.86

ACES vs. SBIO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ACES Sharpe Ratio is 0.50, which is lower than the SBIO Sharpe Ratio of 3.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ACES and SBIO, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

ACES vs. SBIO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ACES drawdown since its inception was -79.05%, which is greater than SBIO's maximum drawdown of -63.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ACES and SBIO.

Drawdown Indicators

	ACES	SBIO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-79.05%	-63.06%	-15.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-24.55%	-12.66%	-11.89%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-58.68%	-42.44%	-16.24%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-74.44%	-52.49%	-21.95%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-63.06%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-65.99%	-5.43%	-60.56%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-39.21%	-28.21%	-11.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.36%	4.60%	+4.76%

Volatility

ACES vs. SBIO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ALPS Clean Energy ETF (ACES) is 9.72%, while ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF (SBIO) has a volatility of 10.88%. This indicates that ACES experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SBIO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ACES	SBIO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.72%	10.88%	-1.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	25.46%	24.08%	+1.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	34.29%	30.65%	+3.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.57%	33.89%	+2.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	35.68%	33.17%	+2.51%

ACES vs. SBIO - Expense Ratio Comparison

ACES has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than SBIO's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

ACES vs. SBIO - Dividend Comparison

ACES's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.68%, while SBIO has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ACES ALPS Clean Energy ETF	0.68%	0.70%	1.10%	1.44%	1.08%	0.71%	0.56%	1.79%	0.34%	0.00%
SBIO ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF	0.00%	0.00%	3.55%	0.22%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.04%	2.79%	1.77%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ACES and SBIO in my portfolio?

ACES and SBIO have a correlation of 0.33, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ACES or SBIO?

SBIO has higher volatility (10.88%) compared to ACES (9.72%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ACES dropped -79.05% vs SBIO's -63.06%.

Which ETF is better, ACES or SBIO?

On 5-year performance, SBIO leads with 8.21% vs -12.91% for ACES. On fees, SBIO is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, ACES has been the lower-risk option at 9.72%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ACES or SBIO?

Over the 5-year period, SBIO has performed better with a 8.21% return vs -12.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ACES or SBIO?

SBIO is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for ACES.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ACES or SBIO?

ACES has the higher dividend yield at 0.68%, compared with 0.00% for SBIO.

What is the main difference between ACES and SBIO?

ACES is categorized as Alternative Energy Equities, while SBIO is Health & Biotech Equities. ACES tracks CIBC Atlas Clean Energy Index, while SBIO tracks S-Network Medical Breakthroughs Index. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for ACES and 0.50% for SBIO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SBIO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.11 vs 0.50), 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.