BBC vs. GERM

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF (BBC) and Amplify Treatments, Testing and Advancements ETF (GERM).

BBC and GERM are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. BBC is a passively managed fund by Virtus Investment Partners that tracks the performance of the LifeSci Biotechnology Clinical Trials Index. It was launched on Dec 16, 2014. GERM is a passively managed fund by Amplify that tracks the performance of the Prime Treatments, Testing and Advancements Index. It was launched on Jun 17, 2020. Both BBC and GERM are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

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.

BBC vs. GERM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
BBC Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF	7.95%	63.77%	-9.31%
GERM Amplify Treatments, Testing and Advancements ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Returns By Period

BBC

• 1D: 7.67%
• 1M: -1.98%
• YTD: 7.95%
• 6M: 55.07%
• 1Y: 141.32%
• 3Y*: 25.09%
• 5Y*: -3.63%
• 10Y*: 8.41%

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 - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

BBC

Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF

GERM

Amplify Treatments, Testing and Advancements ETF

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: 97
BBC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
BBC Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
BBC Omega Ratio Rank: 95
BBC Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
BBC Martin Ratio Rank: 98

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.

	BBC	GERM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.52	—	—
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.86	—	—
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	—	—
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.54	—	—
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	25.10	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BBC	GERM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.52	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.09	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.22	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.12	—	—

Dividends

BBC vs. GERM - Dividend Comparison

BBC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.57%, while GERM has not paid dividends to shareholders.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BBC Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF	1.57%	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%

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	-18.03%	0.00%	-18.03%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-72.58%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-76.85%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-30.71%	0.00%	-30.71%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-37.30%	0.00%	-37.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.05%	0.00%	+5.05%

Volatility

BBC vs. GERM - Volatility Comparison

Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF (BBC) has a higher volatility of 13.21% 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	13.21%	0.00%	+13.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	26.93%	0.00%	+26.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	40.92%	0.00%	+40.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	39.30%	0.00%	+39.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	37.86%	0.00%	+37.86%