BBC vs. GERM

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

BBC (Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF) and GERM (Amplify Treatments, Testing and Advancements ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds - BBC tracks the LifeSci Biotechnology Clinical Trials Index while GERM tracks the Prime Treatments, Testing and Advancements Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, BBC returned 156.95% vs 0.00% for GERM. BBC charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.68%/yr for GERM.

Performance

BBC vs. GERM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF (BBC) and Amplify Treatments, Testing and Advancements ETF (GERM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

BBC

• 1D: 1.59%
• 1M: 13.54%
• YTD: 25.75%
• 6M: 22.73%
• 1Y: 156.95%
• 3Y*: 27.00%
• 5Y*: -0.26%
• 10Y*: 11.15%

GERM

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• YTD: 0.00%
• 6M: 0.00%
• 1Y: 0.00%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BBC vs. GERM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
BBC Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF	25.75%	63.77%	-11.08%
GERM Amplify Treatments, Testing and Advancements ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

BBC vs. GERM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BBC	GERM
Healthcare	100.0%	99.3%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	0.4%
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

BBC vs. GERM — Risk / Return Rank

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

BBC

BBC Risk / Return Rank: 95
BBC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
BBC Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
BBC Omega Ratio Rank: 91
BBC Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
BBC Martin Ratio Rank: 95

GERM

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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.

BBC vs. GERM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF (BBC) and Amplify Treatments, Testing and Advancements ETF (GERM). 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.

	BBC	GERM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	4.36	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.70	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.56	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	10.46	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	30.65	—	—

Drawdowns

BBC vs. GERM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BBC drawdown since its inception was -76.85%, which is greater than GERM's maximum drawdown of 0.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BBC and GERM.

Drawdown Indicators

	BBC	GERM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-76.85%	0.00%	-76.85%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.10%	0.00%	-15.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-54.45%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-71.97%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-76.85%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-19.28%	0.00%	-19.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-37.08%	0.00%	-37.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.14%	0.00%	+5.14%

Volatility

BBC vs. GERM - Volatility Comparison

Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF (BBC) has a higher volatility of 12.08% compared to Amplify Treatments, Testing and Advancements ETF (GERM) at 0.00%. This indicates that BBC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GERM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BBC	GERM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.08%	0.00%	+12.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	26.79%	0.00%	+26.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	36.27%	0.00%	+36.27%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	39.52%	0.00%	+39.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	37.75%	0.00%	+37.75%

BBC vs. GERM - Expense Ratio Comparison

BBC has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than GERM's 0.68% expense ratio.

Dividends

BBC vs. GERM - Dividend Comparison

BBC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.35%, while GERM has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BBC Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF	1.35%	1.70%	1.00%	0.34%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	2.09%	0.00%	0.51%
GERM Amplify Treatments, Testing and Advancements ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is riskier, BBC or GERM?

BBC has higher volatility (12.08%) compared to GERM (0.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BBC dropped -76.85% vs GERM's 0.00%.

Which ETF is better, BBC or GERM?

On 1-year performance, BBC leads with 156.95% vs 0.00% for GERM. On fees, GERM is cheaper at 0.68% per year. On volatility, GERM has been the lower-risk option at 0.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BBC or GERM?

Over the 1-year period, BBC has performed better with a 156.95% return vs 0.00%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BBC or GERM?

GERM is cheaper with a 0.68% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for BBC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BBC or GERM?

BBC has the higher dividend yield at 1.35%, compared with 0.00% for GERM.

What is the main difference between BBC and GERM?

BBC tracks LifeSci Biotechnology Clinical Trials Index, while GERM tracks Prime Treatments, Testing and Advancements Index. They also come from different issuers: Virtus Investment Partners and Amplify. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for BBC and 0.68% for GERM.