BBP vs. FBT
Compare and contrast key facts about Virtus LifeSci Biotech Products ETF (BBP) and First Trust Amex Biotechnology Index (FBT).
BBP and FBT are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. BBP is a passively managed fund by Virtus Investment Partners that tracks the performance of the LifeSci Biotechnology Products Index. It was launched on Dec 17, 2014. FBT is a passively managed fund by First Trust that tracks the performance of the NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index. It was launched on Jun 23, 2006. Both BBP and FBT are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.
Performance
BBP vs. FBT - Performance Comparison
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BBP vs. FBT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BBP Virtus LifeSci Biotech Products ETF | 3.94% | 33.15% | 3.32% | 17.88% | 0.85% | -8.17% | 22.24% | 24.73% | -13.95% | 24.07% |
FBT First Trust Amex Biotechnology Index | -2.76% | 24.25% | 5.88% | 2.55% | -4.83% | -2.26% | 12.96% | 19.74% | -0.30% | 37.07% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BBP achieves a 3.94% return, which is significantly higher than FBT's -2.76% return. Over the past 10 years, BBP has outperformed FBT with an annualized return of 12.76%, while FBT has yielded a comparatively lower 8.59% annualized return.
BBP
- 1D
- 5.93%
- 1M
- -2.16%
- YTD
- 3.94%
- 6M
- 18.71%
- 1Y
- 41.70%
- 3Y*
- 19.01%
- 5Y*
- 9.37%
- 10Y*
- 12.76%
FBT
- 1D
- 4.05%
- 1M
- -3.77%
- YTD
- -2.76%
- 6M
- 12.01%
- 1Y
- 18.05%
- 3Y*
- 9.26%
- 5Y*
- 4.70%
- 10Y*
- 8.59%
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BBP vs. FBT - Expense Ratio Comparison
BBP has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than FBT's 0.57% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
BBP vs. FBT — Risk / Return Rank
BBP
FBT
BBP vs. FBT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus LifeSci Biotech Products ETF (BBP) and First Trust Amex Biotechnology Index (FBT). 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 | FBT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.55 | 0.73 | +0.82 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 2.18 | 1.17 | +1.01 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.27 | 1.15 | +0.12 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.69 | 1.52 | +1.17 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.18 | 4.09 | +6.09 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| BBP | FBT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.55 | 0.73 | +0.82 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.36 | 0.22 | +0.14 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.47 | 0.36 | +0.11 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.39 | 0.50 | -0.10 |
Correlation
The correlation between BBP and FBT is 0.87, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Dividends
BBP vs. FBT - Dividend Comparison
Neither BBP nor FBT has paid dividends to shareholders.
| 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% |
FBT First Trust Amex Biotechnology Index | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.71% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 1.37% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.12% |
Drawdowns
BBP vs. FBT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BBP drawdown since its inception was -44.32%, which is greater than FBT's maximum drawdown of -40.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BBP and FBT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BBP | FBT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -44.32% | -40.51% | -3.81% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.38% | -14.26% | +0.88% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -38.28% | -29.05% | -9.23% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -44.32% | -32.37% | -11.95% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.90% | -9.48% | +5.58% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -12.16% | -11.22% | -0.94% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.72% | 5.33% | -1.61% |
Volatility
BBP vs. FBT - Volatility Comparison
Virtus LifeSci Biotech Products ETF (BBP) has a higher volatility of 11.21% compared to First Trust Amex Biotechnology Index (FBT) at 8.93%. This indicates that BBP's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FBT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| BBP | FBT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 11.21% | 8.93% | +2.28% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 18.03% | 15.57% | +2.46% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 27.16% | 24.96% | +2.20% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 26.23% | 21.72% | +4.51% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 27.51% | 24.06% | +3.45% |