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BBC vs. IHE
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

BBC vs. IHE

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

BBC (Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF) and IHE (iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds - BBC tracks the LifeSci Biotechnology Clinical Trials Index while IHE tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Select Pharmaceuticals Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, BBC returned 11.15%/yr vs 8.99%/yr for IHE. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BBC charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.42%/yr for IHE.

Performance

BBC vs. IHE - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BBC achieves a 25.75% return, which is significantly higher than IHE's 11.65% return. Over the past 10 years, BBC has outperformed IHE with an annualized return of 11.15%, while IHE has yielded a comparatively lower 8.99% annualized 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%

IHE

1D
1.60%
1M
3.16%
YTD
11.65%
6M
10.97%
1Y
46.87%
3Y*
18.43%
5Y*
10.55%
10Y*
8.99%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

BBC vs. IHE - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
BBC
Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF		25.75%63.77%-1.11%-1.80%-35.13%-22.31%30.32%63.81%-18.29%57.85%
IHE
iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF		11.65%31.69%8.13%1.06%-4.87%13.07%13.66%15.47%-7.76%10.64%

Correlation

The correlation between BBC and IHE is 0.58, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.58

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.52

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.53

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.60

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 17, 2014

0.64

The correlation between BBC and IHE shifts across timeframes, from 0.52 (3 years) to 0.64 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

BBC vs. IHE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
BBC
IHE

Healthcare

100.0%
100.0%

Basic Materials

-

-

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Energy

-

-

Financial Services

-

-

Industrials

-

-

Real Estate

-

-

Technology

-

-

Utilities

-

-

Healthcare

BBC
100.0%
IHE
100.0%

Basic Materials

BBC

-

IHE

-

Communication Services

BBC

-

IHE

-

Consumer Cyclical

BBC

-

IHE

-

Consumer Defensive

BBC

-

IHE

-

Energy

BBC

-

IHE

-

Financial Services

BBC

-

IHE

-

Industrials

BBC

-

IHE

-

Real Estate

BBC

-

IHE

-

Technology

BBC

-

IHE

-

Utilities

BBC

-

IHE

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF

iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF

Often compared with BBC:
BBC vs. BBPBBC vs. XBIBBC vs. BBHBBC vs. IBBQBBC vs. QQQBBC vs. SBIOBBC vs. LLY
Often compared with IHE:
IHE vs. PPHIHE vs. XPHIHE vs. XLVIHE vs. VYMIHE vs. PJPIHE vs. IAKIHE vs. BBP

Return for Risk

BBC vs. IHE — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
BBC
BBC Risk / Return Rank: 9595
Overall Rank
BBC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9797
Sharpe Ratio Rank
BBC Sortino Ratio Rank: 9595
Sortino Ratio Rank
BBC Omega Ratio Rank: 9191
Omega Ratio Rank
BBC Calmar Ratio Rank: 9797
Calmar Ratio Rank
BBC Martin Ratio Rank: 9595
Martin Ratio Rank
IHE
IHE Risk / Return Rank: 8787
Overall Rank
IHE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8888
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IHE Sortino Ratio Rank: 9090
Sortino Ratio Rank
IHE Omega Ratio Rank: 8282
Omega Ratio Rank
IHE Calmar Ratio Rank: 9191
Calmar Ratio Rank
IHE Martin Ratio Rank: 8585
Martin Ratio Rank
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. IHE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF (BBC) and iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF (IHE). 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.

BBCIHEDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
4.36
2.74

+1.62

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
4.70
3.95

+0.75

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.56

1.46

+0.10

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

10.46

5.56

+4.90

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

30.65

17.09

+13.56

BBC vs. IHE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BBC Sharpe Ratio is 4.36, which is higher than the IHE Sharpe Ratio of 2.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BBC and IHE, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

BBC vs. IHE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BBC drawdown since its inception was -76.85%, which is greater than IHE's maximum drawdown of -38.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BBC and IHE.

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Drawdown Indicators

BBCIHEDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-76.85%

-38.20%

-38.65%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-15.10%

-8.47%

-6.63%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-54.45%

-15.92%

-38.53%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-71.97%

-16.03%

-55.94%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-76.85%

-29.59%

-47.26%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-19.28%

-0.70%

-18.58%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-37.08%

-7.90%

-29.18%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

5.14%

2.75%

+2.39%

Volatility

BBC vs. IHE - Volatility Comparison

Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF (BBC) has a higher volatility of 12.08% compared to iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF (IHE) at 5.27%. This indicates that BBC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IHE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

BBCIHEDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

12.08%

5.27%

+6.81%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

26.79%

12.68%

+14.11%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

36.27%

17.22%

+19.05%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

39.52%

16.28%

+23.24%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

37.75%

18.05%

+19.70%

BBC vs. IHE - Expense Ratio Comparison

BBC has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than IHE's 0.42% expense ratio.

Dividends

BBC vs. IHE - Dividend Comparison

BBC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.35%, less than IHE's 1.56% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
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%
IHE
iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF		1.56%1.76%1.73%1.39%2.01%1.49%1.19%1.40%1.25%1.36%0.92%1.93%

Frequently Asked Questions

BBC and IHE have a correlation of 0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

BBC has higher volatility (12.08%) compared to IHE (5.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BBC dropped -76.85% vs IHE's -38.20%.

On 10-year performance, BBC leads with 11.15% vs 8.99% for IHE. On fees, IHE is cheaper at 0.42% per year. On volatility, IHE has been the lower-risk option at 5.27%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, BBC has performed better with a 11.15% return vs 8.99%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IHE is cheaper with a 0.42% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for BBC.

IHE has the higher dividend yield at 1.56%, compared with 1.35% for BBC.

BBC tracks LifeSci Biotechnology Clinical Trials Index, while IHE tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Pharmaceuticals Index. They also come from different issuers: Virtus Investment Partners and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for BBC and 0.42% for IHE.

BBC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.36 vs 2.74), 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.

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