BBC vs. VCLN

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

BBC (Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF) and VCLN (Virtus Duff & Phelps Clean Energy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BBC is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the LifeSci Biotechnology Clinical Trials Index, while VCLN is a Sustainable fund actively managed by Virtus. BBC is passively managed, while VCLN is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, BBC returned 2.55%/yr vs 2.82%/yr for VCLN. Their 0.45 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. BBC charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for VCLN.

Performance

BBC vs. VCLN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF (BBC) and Virtus Duff & Phelps Clean Energy ETF (VCLN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BBC achieves a 27.03% return, which is significantly higher than VCLN's 9.55% return.

BBC

• 1D: 0.50%
• 1M: -7.22%
• 6M: 16.85%
• YTD: 27.03%
• 1Y: 132.20%
• 3Y*: 29.78%
• 5Y*: 2.55%
• 10Y*: 9.38%
• ALL TIME*: 6.30%

VCLN

• 1D: 1.23%
• 1M: -6.44%
• 6M: -1.07%
• YTD: 9.55%
• 1Y: 37.73%
• 3Y*: 14.01%
• 5Y*: 2.82%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 2.77%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
BBC Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF	$614.18K	$1.46M	$1.24M
VCLN Virtus Duff & Phelps Clean Energy ETF	$16.61K	$16.57K	$32.94K

BBC vs. VCLN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
BBC Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF	27.03%	63.77%	-1.11%	-1.80%	-35.13%	-13.62%
VCLN Virtus Duff & Phelps Clean Energy ETF	9.55%	55.75%	-6.69%	-17.54%	-7.87%	-5.21%

Correlation

The correlation between BBC and VCLN is 0.23, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.23
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.35
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.45
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 4, 2021	0.45

Over the past year, the correlation between BBC and VCLN has dropped to 0.23 - well below their long-term average of 0.45, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

BBC vs. VCLN - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BBC	VCLN
Healthcare	100.0%	-
Financial Services	0.8%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	0.9%
Industrials	-	37.2%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	27.4%
Utilities	-	34.5%

Return for Risk

BBC vs. VCLN — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

BBC

BBC Risk / Return Rank: 96
BBC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
BBC Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
BBC Omega Ratio Rank: 93
BBC Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
BBC Martin Ratio Rank: 96

VCLN

VCLN Risk / Return Rank: 44
VCLN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
VCLN Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
VCLN Omega Ratio Rank: 43
VCLN Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
VCLN Martin Ratio Rank: 43

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

BBC vs. VCLN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF (BBC) and Virtus Duff & Phelps Clean Energy ETF (VCLN). 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	VCLN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.65	1.19	+2.45
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.08	1.79	+2.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.21	+0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	8.81	1.43	+7.38
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	23.93	4.99	+18.94

BBC vs. VCLN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BBC Sharpe Ratio is 3.65, which is higher than the VCLN Sharpe Ratio of 1.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BBC and VCLN, 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. VCLN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BBC drawdown since its inception was -76.85%, which is greater than VCLN's maximum drawdown of -45.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BBC and VCLN.

Drawdown Indicators

	BBC	VCLN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-76.85%	-45.66%	-31.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.10%	-26.50%	+11.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-54.45%	-26.50%	-27.95%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-70.92%	-45.66%	-25.26%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-76.85%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-18.46%	-22.19%	+3.73%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-36.87%	-23.80%	-13.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.55%	7.59%	-2.04%

Volatility

BBC vs. VCLN - Volatility Comparison

Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF (BBC) and Virtus Duff & Phelps Clean Energy ETF (VCLN) have volatilities of 10.19% and 9.91%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BBC	VCLN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.19%	9.91%	+0.28%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	26.25%	23.08%	+3.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	36.52%	31.79%	+4.73%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	39.61%	27.79%	+11.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	37.72%	27.79%	+9.93%

BBC vs. VCLN - Expense Ratio Comparison

BBC has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than VCLN's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

BBC vs. VCLN - Dividend Comparison

BBC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.34%, less than VCLN's 1.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BBC Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF	1.34%	1.70%	1.00%	0.34%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	2.09%	0.00%	0.51%
VCLN Virtus Duff & Phelps Clean Energy ETF	1.91%	2.01%	1.16%	1.14%	0.65%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BBC and VCLN in my portfolio?

BBC and VCLN have a correlation of 0.23, 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 VCLN?

BBC has higher volatility (10.19%) compared to VCLN (9.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BBC dropped -76.85% vs VCLN's -45.66%.

Which ETF is better, BBC or VCLN?

On 5-year performance, VCLN leads with 2.82% vs 2.55% for BBC. On fees, VCLN is cheaper at 0.59% per year. On volatility, VCLN has been the lower-risk option at 9.91%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BBC or VCLN?

Over the 5-year period, VCLN has performed better with a 2.82% return vs 2.55%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BBC or VCLN?

VCLN is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for BBC.

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

VCLN has the higher dividend yield at 1.91%, compared with 1.34% for BBC.

What is the main difference between BBC and VCLN?

BBC is categorized as Health & Biotech Equities, while VCLN is Sustainable. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for BBC and 0.59% for VCLN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BBC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.65 vs 1.19), 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.