BBP vs. EKG

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

BBP (Virtus LifeSci Biotech Products ETF) and EKG (First Trust Nasdaq Lux Digital Health Solutions ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds - BBP tracks the LifeSci Biotechnology Products Index while EKG tracks the NASDAQ Lux Health Tech Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, BBP returned 17.11%/yr vs 0.16%/yr for EKG. A 0.62 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BBP charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for EKG.

Performance

BBP vs. EKG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus LifeSci Biotech Products ETF (BBP) and First Trust Nasdaq Lux Digital Health Solutions ETF (EKG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BBP achieves a 8.38% return, which is significantly higher than EKG's -7.15% return.

BBP

• 1D: 2.44%
• 1M: -0.92%
• YTD: 8.38%
• 6M: 9.14%
• 1Y: 48.00%
• 3Y*: 17.11%
• 5Y*: 10.90%
• 10Y*: 11.72%

EKG

• 1D: 3.29%
• 1M: 6.48%
• YTD: -7.15%
• 6M: -10.81%
• 1Y: 1.80%
• 3Y*: 0.16%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BBP vs. EKG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
BBP Virtus LifeSci Biotech Products ETF	8.38%	33.15%	3.32%	17.88%	14.95%
EKG First Trust Nasdaq Lux Digital Health Solutions ETF	-7.15%	11.89%	6.53%	-0.11%	-19.59%

Correlation

The correlation between BBP and EKG is 0.54, 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	0.54
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.57
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 24, 2022	0.62

The correlation between BBP and EKG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.54 to 0.62 - a consistent structural relationship.

BBP vs. EKG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BBP	EKG
Healthcare	100.0%	94.9%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	2.6%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

BBP vs. EKG — Risk / Return Rank

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

BBP

BBP Risk / Return Rank: 70
BBP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
BBP Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
BBP Omega Ratio Rank: 55
BBP Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
BBP Martin Ratio Rank: 82

EKG

EKG Risk / Return Rank: 10
EKG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
EKG Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
EKG Omega Ratio Rank: 10
EKG Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
EKG Martin Ratio Rank: 10

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.

BBP vs. EKG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus LifeSci Biotech Products ETF (BBP) and First Trust Nasdaq Lux Digital Health Solutions ETF (EKG). 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.

	BBP	EKG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.02	0.08	+1.94
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.87	0.27	+2.60
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.03	+0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.20	0.08	+5.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.27	0.18	+16.09
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BBP vs. EKG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BBP Sharpe Ratio is 2.02, which is higher than the EKG Sharpe Ratio of 0.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BBP and EKG, 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

	BBP	EKG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.02	0.08	+1.94
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.42	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.43	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.40	-0.10	+0.50

Drawdowns

BBP vs. EKG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BBP drawdown since its inception was -44.32%, roughly equal to the maximum EKG drawdown of -43.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BBP and EKG.

Drawdown Indicators

	BBP	EKG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.32%	-43.82%	-0.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.28%	-22.09%	+12.81%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.09%	-34.49%	+8.40%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.28%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.32%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.18%	-18.18%	+14.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.02%	-22.66%	+10.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.96%	9.77%	-6.81%

Volatility

BBP vs. EKG - Volatility Comparison

Virtus LifeSci Biotech Products ETF (BBP) and First Trust Nasdaq Lux Digital Health Solutions ETF (EKG) have volatilities of 8.03% and 7.72%, 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

	BBP	EKG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.03%	7.72%	+0.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.52%	16.76%	+1.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.84%	21.79%	+2.05%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.37%	27.11%	-0.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.41%	27.11%	+0.30%

BBP vs. EKG - Expense Ratio Comparison

BBP has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than EKG's 0.65% expense ratio.

Dividends

BBP vs. EKG - Dividend Comparison

Neither BBP nor EKG has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BBP Virtus LifeSci Biotech Products ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.18%	0.00%	1.29%
EKG First Trust Nasdaq Lux Digital Health Solutions ETF	0.00%	0.00%	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 BBP and EKG in my portfolio?

BBP and EKG have a correlation of 0.54, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BBP or EKG?

BBP has higher volatility (8.03%) compared to EKG (7.72%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BBP dropped -44.32% vs EKG's -43.82%.

Which ETF is better, BBP or EKG?

On 3-year performance, BBP leads with 17.11% vs 0.16% for EKG. On fees, EKG is cheaper at 0.65% per year. On volatility, EKG has been the lower-risk option at 7.72%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BBP or EKG?

Over the 3-year period, BBP has performed better with a 17.11% return vs 0.16%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BBP or EKG?

EKG is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for BBP.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BBP or EKG?

BBP and EKG have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between BBP and EKG?

BBP tracks LifeSci Biotechnology Products Index, while EKG tracks NASDAQ Lux Health Tech Index. They also come from different issuers: Virtus Investment Partners and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for BBP and 0.65% for EKG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BBP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.02 vs 0.08), 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.