BBC vs. IHE

Last updated Jun 3, 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 7.60%/yr vs 7.69%/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.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BBC achieves a 8.17% return, which is significantly higher than IHE's 5.25% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with BBC having a 7.60% annualized return and IHE not far ahead at 7.69%.

BBC

• 1D: -4.90%
• 1M: -4.81%
• YTD: 8.17%
• 6M: 20.12%
• 1Y: 123.11%
• 3Y*: 19.82%
• 5Y*: -2.05%
• 10Y*: 7.60%

IHE

• 1D: -1.44%
• 1M: 1.13%
• YTD: 5.25%
• 6M: 7.86%
• 1Y: 38.69%
• 3Y*: 17.02%
• 5Y*: 9.73%
• 10Y*: 7.69%

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

BBC vs. IHE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BBC Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF	8.17%	63.77%	-1.11%	-1.80%	-35.13%	-22.31%	30.32%	63.81%	-18.29%	57.85%
IHE iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF	5.25%	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 0.60, 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	0.60
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	0.61
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 18, 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	-	-

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: 90
BBC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
BBC Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
BBC Omega Ratio Rank: 79
BBC Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
BBC Martin Ratio Rank: 94

IHE

IHE Risk / Return Rank: 72
IHE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
IHE Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
IHE Omega Ratio Rank: 64
IHE Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
IHE Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

	BBC	IHE	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.49	2.28	+1.21
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.11	3.33	+0.79
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.39	+0.09
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	8.82	4.65	+4.17
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	28.55	14.05	+14.50
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BBC vs. IHE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BBC Sharpe Ratio is 3.49, which is higher than the IHE Sharpe Ratio of 2.28. 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BBC	IHE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.49	2.28	+1.21
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.05	0.60	-0.66
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.20	0.43	-0.23
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.12	0.50	-0.39

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.

Drawdown Indicators

	BBC	IHE	Difference
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	-72.44%	-16.03%	-56.41%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-76.85%	-29.59%	-47.26%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-30.57%	-3.91%	-26.66%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-37.14%	-7.92%	-29.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.66%	2.80%	+1.86%

Volatility

BBC vs. IHE - Volatility Comparison

Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF (BBC) has a higher volatility of 11.21% compared to iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF (IHE) at 5.43%. 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.

Volatility by Period

	BBC	IHE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.21%	5.43%	+5.78%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	26.65%	12.51%	+14.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	35.74%	17.05%	+18.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	39.31%	16.23%	+23.08%
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 1.57%, less than IHE's 1.67% yield.

Position	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%
IHE iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF	1.67%	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

Can I hold both BBC and IHE in my portfolio?

BBC and IHE have a correlation of 0.60, 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 IHE?

BBC has higher volatility (11.21%) compared to IHE (5.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BBC dropped -76.85% vs IHE's -38.20%.

Which ETF is better, BBC or IHE?

On 10-year performance, IHE leads with 7.69% vs 7.60% for BBC. On fees, IHE is cheaper at 0.42% per year. On volatility, IHE has been the lower-risk option at 5.43%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BBC or IHE?

Over the 10-year period, IHE has performed better with a 7.69% return vs 7.60%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BBC or IHE?

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

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

IHE has the higher dividend yield at 1.67%, compared with 1.57% for BBC.

What is the main difference between BBC and IHE?

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.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BBC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.49 vs 2.28), 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.