BBC vs. IBRN

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

BBC (Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF) and IBRN (iShares Neuroscience and Healthcare ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds - BBC tracks the LifeSci Biotechnology Clinical Trials Index while IBRN tracks the NYSE FactSet Global Neuro Biopharma and MedTech Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, BBC returned 27.00%/yr vs 14.72%/yr for IBRN. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BBC charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.47%/yr for IBRN.

Performance

BBC vs. IBRN - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BBC achieves a 25.75% return, which is significantly higher than IBRN's 14.14% return.

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%

IBRN

• 1D: 0.60%
• 1M: 6.49%
• YTD: 14.14%
• 6M: 14.25%
• 1Y: 71.08%
• 3Y*: 14.72%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BBC vs. IBRN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
BBC Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF	25.75%	63.77%	-1.11%	-1.80%	-8.70%
IBRN iShares Neuroscience and Healthcare ETF	14.14%	28.49%	-2.78%	0.92%	2.87%

Correlation

The correlation between BBC and IBRN is 0.87, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 26, 2022	0.86

The correlation between BBC and IBRN has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

BBC vs. IBRN - Sectors Allocation Comparison

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

Return for Risk

BBC vs. IBRN — 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

IBRN

IBRN Risk / Return Rank: 89
IBRN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
IBRN Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
IBRN Omega Ratio Rank: 80
IBRN Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
IBRN Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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. IBRN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF (BBC) and iShares Neuroscience and Healthcare ETF (IBRN). 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	IBRN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	4.36	2.80	+1.55
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.70	3.71	+0.99
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.56	1.43	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	10.46	8.12	+2.34
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	30.65	22.92	+7.73

BBC vs. IBRN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BBC Sharpe Ratio is 4.36, which is higher than the IBRN Sharpe Ratio of 2.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BBC and IBRN, 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

BBC vs. IBRN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BBC drawdown since its inception was -76.85%, which is greater than IBRN's maximum drawdown of -35.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BBC and IBRN.

Drawdown Indicators

	BBC	IBRN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-76.85%	-35.38%	-41.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.10%	-8.80%	-6.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-54.45%	-35.38%	-19.07%
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%	-9.75%	-27.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.14%	3.11%	+2.03%

Volatility

BBC vs. IBRN - Volatility Comparison

Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF (BBC) has a higher volatility of 12.08% compared to iShares Neuroscience and Healthcare ETF (IBRN) at 8.17%. This indicates that BBC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IBRN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BBC	IBRN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.08%	8.17%	+3.91%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	26.79%	19.20%	+7.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	36.27%	25.50%	+10.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	39.52%	25.36%	+14.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	37.75%	25.36%	+12.39%

BBC vs. IBRN - Expense Ratio Comparison

BBC has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than IBRN's 0.47% expense ratio.

Dividends

BBC vs. IBRN - Dividend Comparison

BBC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.35%, more than IBRN's 0.87% yield.

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%
IBRN iShares Neuroscience and Healthcare ETF	0.87%	0.99%	0.40%	0.06%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BBC and IBRN in my portfolio?

BBC and IBRN have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BBC or IBRN?

BBC has higher volatility (12.08%) compared to IBRN (8.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BBC dropped -76.85% vs IBRN's -35.38%.

Which ETF is better, BBC or IBRN?

On 3-year performance, BBC leads with 27.00% vs 14.72% for IBRN. On fees, IBRN is cheaper at 0.47% per year. On volatility, IBRN has been the lower-risk option at 8.17%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BBC or IBRN?

Over the 3-year period, BBC has performed better with a 27.00% return vs 14.72%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BBC or IBRN?

IBRN is cheaper with a 0.47% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for BBC.

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

BBC has the higher dividend yield at 1.35%, compared with 0.87% for IBRN.

What is the main difference between BBC and IBRN?

BBC tracks LifeSci Biotechnology Clinical Trials Index, while IBRN tracks NYSE FactSet Global Neuro Biopharma and MedTech Index. They also come from different issuers: Virtus Investment Partners and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for BBC and 0.47% for IBRN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BBC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.36 vs 2.80), 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.