BBH vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

BBH (VanEck Vectors Biotech ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BBH is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Biotech 25 Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, BBH returned 5.85%/yr vs 15.48%/yr for SPY. A 0.60 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BBH charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

BBH vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Vectors Biotech ETF (BBH) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BBH achieves a 0.12% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 11.33% return. Over the past 10 years, BBH has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 5.85%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.48% annualized return.

BBH

• 1D: 2.00%
• 1M: 1.68%
• YTD: 0.12%
• 6M: -2.71%
• 1Y: 25.97%
• 3Y*: 6.79%
• 5Y*: 0.71%
• 10Y*: 5.85%

SPY

• 1D: 0.38%
• 1M: 4.60%
• YTD: 11.33%
• 6M: 11.25%
• 1Y: 28.50%
• 3Y*: 22.58%
• 5Y*: 13.91%
• 10Y*: 15.48%

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

BBH vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BBH VanEck Vectors Biotech ETF	0.12%	21.18%	-4.29%	3.94%	-15.25%	11.81%	22.13%	26.34%	-10.70%	16.46%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	11.33%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between BBH and SPY is 0.45, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.45
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.53
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.60
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 24, 1999	0.60

The correlation between BBH and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.45 (1 year) to 0.60 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

BBH vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BBH	SPY
Healthcare	99.9%	8.4%
Basic Materials	-	1.8%
Communication Services	-	11.3%
Consumer Cyclical	-	10.3%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.8%
Energy	-	3.6%
Financial Services	-	11.8%
Industrials	-	7.8%
Real Estate	-	1.9%
Technology	-	35.9%
Utilities	-	2.4%

Return for Risk

BBH vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

BBH

BBH Risk / Return Rank: 41
BBH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
BBH Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
BBH Omega Ratio Rank: 37
BBH Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
BBH Martin Ratio Rank: 40

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 74
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 75
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

BBH vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Vectors Biotech ETF (BBH) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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.

	BBH	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.37	2.42	-1.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.02	3.29	-1.27
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.44	-0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.47	3.22	-0.75
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.28	14.99	-8.71
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BBH vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BBH Sharpe Ratio is 1.37, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BBH and SPY, 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

	BBH	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.37	2.42	-1.06
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.03	0.82	-0.79
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.26	0.87	-0.60
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.39	0.59	-0.20

Drawdowns

BBH vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BBH drawdown since its inception was -72.70%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BBH and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	BBH	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-72.70%	-55.19%	-17.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.55%	-8.88%	-1.67%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.74%	-18.76%	-3.98%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-39.86%	-24.50%	-15.36%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.86%	-33.72%	-6.14%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-12.08%	-0.33%	-11.75%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-20.75%	-9.05%	-11.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.14%	1.91%	+2.23%

Volatility

BBH vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Vectors Biotech ETF (BBH) has a higher volatility of 6.37% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.79%. This indicates that BBH's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BBH	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.37%	2.79%	+3.58%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.42%	8.91%	+5.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.10%	11.82%	+7.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.50%	17.05%	+4.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.18%	17.93%	+4.25%

BBH vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

BBH has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

BBH vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

BBH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.50%, less than SPY's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BBH VanEck Vectors Biotech ETF	0.50%	0.51%	0.80%	0.43%	0.47%	0.21%	0.36%	0.34%	0.50%	0.55%	0.30%	0.27%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.98%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BBH and SPY in my portfolio?

BBH and SPY have a correlation of 0.45, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BBH or SPY?

BBH has higher volatility (6.37%) compared to SPY (2.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BBH dropped -72.70% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, BBH or SPY?

On 10-year performance, SPY leads with 15.48% vs 5.85% for BBH. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 2.79%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BBH or SPY?

Over the 10-year period, SPY has performed better with a 15.48% return vs 5.85%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BBH or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for BBH.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BBH or SPY?

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 0.98%, compared with 0.50% for BBH.

What is the main difference between BBH and SPY?

BBH is categorized as Health & Biotech Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. BBH tracks MVIS US Listed Biotech 25 Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for BBH and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.42 vs 1.37), 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.