ALKS vs. PPH

Last updated Jun 16, 2026

ALKS (Alkermes plc) is a stock, while PPH (VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF) is Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Pharmaceutical 25 Index. Over the past 10 years, ALKS returned 0.70%/yr vs 8.39%/yr for PPH. At a 0.42 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

ALKS vs. PPH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alkermes plc (ALKS) and VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF (PPH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ALKS achieves a 58.54% return, which is significantly higher than PPH's 2.96% return. Over the past 10 years, ALKS has underperformed PPH with an annualized return of 0.70%, while PPH has yielded a comparatively higher 8.39% annualized return.

ALKS

• 1D: 0.18%
• 1M: 18.36%
• YTD: 58.54%
• 6M: 57.47%
• 1Y: 48.71%
• 3Y*: 11.28%
• 5Y*: 12.07%
• 10Y*: 0.70%

PPH

• 1D: -1.04%
• 1M: 4.48%
• YTD: 2.96%
• 6M: 3.80%
• 1Y: 18.69%
• 3Y*: 12.38%
• 5Y*: 9.47%
• 10Y*: 8.39%

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

ALKS vs. PPH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ALKS Alkermes plc	58.54%	-2.71%	3.68%	6.16%	12.34%	16.59%	-2.21%	-30.87%	-46.08%	-1.53%
PPH VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF	2.96%	22.00%	8.05%	6.95%	2.64%	17.79%	5.49%	19.39%	-5.89%	15.23%

Correlation

The correlation between ALKS and PPH is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.39
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.36
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.39
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.44
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 1, 2000	0.42

Return for Risk

ALKS vs. PPH — Risk / Return Rank

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

ALKS

ALKS Risk / Return Rank: 76
ALKS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
ALKS Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
ALKS Omega Ratio Rank: 73
ALKS Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
ALKS Martin Ratio Rank: 76

PPH

PPH Risk / Return Rank: 34
PPH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
PPH Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
PPH Omega Ratio Rank: 31
PPH Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
PPH Martin Ratio Rank: 32

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.

ALKS vs. PPH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alkermes plc (ALKS) and VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF (PPH). 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.

	ALKS	PPH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.20	1.07	+0.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.92	1.70	+0.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.20	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.21	1.74	+0.46
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.11	4.30	+0.82

ALKS vs. PPH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ALKS Sharpe Ratio is 1.20, which is comparable to the PPH Sharpe Ratio of 1.07. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ALKS and PPH, 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

ALKS vs. PPH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ALKS drawdown since its inception was -96.14%, which is greater than PPH's maximum drawdown of -51.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ALKS and PPH.

Drawdown Indicators

	ALKS	PPH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-96.14%	-51.45%	-44.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-22.20%	-10.76%	-11.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-31.58%	-18.06%	-13.52%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.18%	-20.26%	-12.92%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-80.58%	-29.70%	-50.88%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-54.76%	-4.90%	-49.86%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-67.23%	-17.29%	-49.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.55%	4.45%	+5.10%

Volatility

ALKS vs. PPH - Volatility Comparison

Alkermes plc (ALKS) has a higher volatility of 10.43% compared to VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF (PPH) at 5.95%. This indicates that ALKS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PPH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ALKS	PPH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.43%	5.95%	+4.48%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	30.28%	12.18%	+18.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	40.79%	17.66%	+23.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	37.33%	15.14%	+22.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	41.31%	17.00%	+24.31%

Dividends

ALKS vs. PPH - Dividend Comparison

ALKS has not paid dividends to shareholders, while PPH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.05%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ALKS Alkermes plc	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PPH VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF	2.05%	1.78%	1.98%	2.09%	1.55%	1.62%	1.66%	1.77%	1.97%	1.92%	2.43%	1.93%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ALKS and PPH in my portfolio?

ALKS and PPH have a correlation of 0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ALKS or PPH?

ALKS has higher volatility (10.43%) compared to PPH (5.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ALKS dropped -96.14% vs PPH's -51.45%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ALKS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.20 vs 1.07), 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.