BBC vs. VABS
BBC (Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF) and VABS (Virtus Newfleet ABS/MBS ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BBC is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the LifeSci Biotechnology Clinical Trials Index, while VABS is a Mortgage Backed Securities fund actively managed by Virtus Investment Partners. BBC is passively managed, while VABS is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, BBC returned -2.05%/yr vs 3.26%/yr for VABS. At a 0.07 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BBC charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for VABS.
Performance
BBC vs. VABS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BBC achieves a 8.17% return, which is significantly higher than VABS's 1.53% return.
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%
VABS
- 1D
- 0.04%
- 1M
- 0.30%
- YTD
- 1.53%
- 6M
- 1.87%
- 1Y
- 4.30%
- 3Y*
- 6.36%
- 5Y*
- 3.26%
- 10Y*
- —
BBC vs. VABS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BBC Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF | 8.17% | 63.77% | -1.11% | -1.80% | -35.13% | -36.16% |
VABS Virtus Newfleet ABS/MBS ETF | 1.53% | 5.40% | 7.59% | 7.61% | -5.24% | 0.45% |
Correlation
The correlation between BBC and VABS is 0.00, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.00 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.10 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.06 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 11, 2021 | 0.07 |
The correlation between BBC and VABS shifts across timeframes, from 0.00 (1 year) to 0.10 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
BBC vs. VABS — Risk / Return Rank
BBC
VABS
BBC vs. VABS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF (BBC) and Virtus Newfleet ABS/MBS ETF (VABS). 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 | VABS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 3.49 | 2.12 | +1.37 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 4.11 | 2.92 | +1.19 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.48 | 1.47 | +0.01 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 8.82 | 4.33 | +4.49 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 28.55 | 11.19 | +17.37 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| BBC | VABS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.49 | 2.12 | +1.37 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.05 | 1.43 | -1.48 |
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 | 1.41 | -1.30 |
Drawdowns
BBC vs. VABS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BBC drawdown since its inception was -76.85%, which is greater than VABS's maximum drawdown of -7.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BBC and VABS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BBC | VABS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -76.85% | -7.12% | -69.73% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -15.10% | -0.98% | -14.12% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -54.45% | -1.42% | -53.03% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -72.44% | -7.12% | -65.32% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -76.85% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -30.57% | 0.00% | -30.57% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -37.14% | -1.42% | -35.72% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.66% | 0.38% | +4.28% |
Volatility
BBC vs. VABS - Volatility Comparison
Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF (BBC) has a higher volatility of 11.21% compared to Virtus Newfleet ABS/MBS ETF (VABS) at 0.39%. This indicates that BBC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VABS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| BBC | VABS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 11.21% | 0.39% | +10.82% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 26.65% | 1.07% | +25.58% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 35.74% | 2.04% | +33.70% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 39.31% | 2.30% | +37.01% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 37.75% | 2.24% | +35.51% |
BBC vs. VABS - Expense Ratio Comparison
BBC has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than VABS's 0.39% expense ratio.
Dividends
BBC vs. VABS - Dividend Comparison
BBC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.57%, less than VABS's 5.18% 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% |
VABS Virtus Newfleet ABS/MBS ETF | 5.18% | 4.94% | 5.05% | 4.13% | 2.47% | 1.47% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
BBC and VABS have a correlation of 0.00, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
BBC has higher volatility (11.21%) compared to VABS (0.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BBC dropped -76.85% vs VABS's -7.12%.
On 5-year performance, VABS leads with 3.26% vs -2.05% for BBC. On fees, VABS is cheaper at 0.39% per year. On volatility, VABS has been the lower-risk option at 0.39%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, VABS has performed better with a 3.26% return vs -2.05%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VABS is cheaper with a 0.39% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for BBC.
VABS has the higher dividend yield at 5.18%, compared with 1.57% for BBC.
BBC is categorized as Health & Biotech Equities, while VABS is Mortgage Backed Securities. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for BBC and 0.39% for VABS.
BBC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.49 vs 2.12), 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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