BBC vs. PBPH

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BBC (Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF) and PBPH (Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds - BBC tracks the LifeSci Biotechnology Clinical Trials Index while PBPH tracks the BITA Global Pharma and Biotech Select Index. Both are passively managed. A 0.50 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BBC charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for PBPH.

Performance

BBC vs. PBPH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF (BBC) and Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF (PBPH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BBC achieves a 8.64% return, which is significantly higher than PBPH's -1.13% return.

BBC

• 1D: 0.43%
• 1M: -6.52%
• YTD: 8.64%
• 6M: 14.08%
• 1Y: 116.78%
• 3Y*: 19.99%
• 5Y*: -1.96%
• 10Y*: 7.64%

PBPH

• 1D: 0.58%
• 1M: 0.07%
• YTD: -1.13%
• 6M: -0.02%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BBC vs. PBPH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
BBC Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF	8.64%	6.84%
PBPH Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF	-1.13%	0.76%

Correlation

The correlation between BBC and PBPH is 0.50, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 26, 2025	0.50

Return for Risk

BBC vs. PBPH — Risk / Return Rank

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

BBC

BBC Risk / Return Rank: 89
BBC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
BBC Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
BBC Omega Ratio Rank: 77
BBC Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
BBC 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. PBPH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF (BBC) and Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF (PBPH). 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	PBPH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.32	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.98	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	7.78	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	24.80	—	—
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	PBPH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.32	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.05	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.20	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.12	-0.04	+0.16

Drawdowns

BBC vs. PBPH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BBC drawdown since its inception was -76.85%, which is greater than PBPH's maximum drawdown of -11.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BBC and PBPH.

Drawdown Indicators

	BBC	PBPH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-76.85%	-11.10%	-65.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.10%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-54.45%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-72.44%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-76.85%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-30.27%	-8.69%	-21.58%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-37.14%	-4.23%	-32.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.73%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	BBC	PBPH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.93%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	26.43%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	35.50%	16.78%	+18.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	39.31%	16.78%	+22.53%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	37.74%	16.78%	+20.96%

BBC vs. PBPH - Expense Ratio Comparison

BBC has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than PBPH's 0.13% expense ratio.

Dividends

BBC vs. PBPH - Dividend Comparison

BBC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.56%, more than PBPH's 0.09% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BBC Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF	1.56%	1.70%	1.00%	0.34%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	2.09%	0.00%	0.51%
PBPH Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF	0.09%	0.09%	0.00%	0.00%	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 PBPH in my portfolio?

BBC and PBPH have a correlation of 0.50, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, BBC or PBPH?

On fees, PBPH is cheaper at 0.13% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, BBC or PBPH?

PBPH is cheaper with a 0.13% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for BBC.

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

BBC has the higher dividend yield at 1.56%, compared with 0.09% for PBPH.

What is the main difference between BBC and PBPH?

BBC tracks LifeSci Biotechnology Clinical Trials Index, while PBPH tracks BITA Global Pharma and Biotech Select Index. They also come from different issuers: Virtus Investment Partners and Portfolio Building Block. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for BBC and 0.13% for PBPH.