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BBP vs. FTXH
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

BBP vs. FTXH

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

BBP (Virtus LifeSci Biotech Products ETF) and FTXH (First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds - BBP tracks the LifeSci Biotechnology Products Index while FTXH tracks the Nasdaq U.S. Smart Pharmaceuticals Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, BBP returned 11.32%/yr vs 8.39%/yr for FTXH. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BBP charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for FTXH.

Performance

BBP vs. FTXH - 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 Pharmaceuticals ETF (FTXH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BBP achieves a 14.66% return, which is significantly higher than FTXH's 8.95% return.

BBP

1D
1.80%
1M
6.41%
YTD
14.66%
6M
12.08%
1Y
57.44%
3Y*
19.92%
5Y*
11.32%
10Y*
13.55%

FTXH

1D
1.27%
1M
2.75%
YTD
8.95%
6M
7.56%
1Y
42.53%
3Y*
12.47%
5Y*
8.39%
10Y*
—
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

BBP vs. FTXH - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
BBP
Virtus LifeSci Biotech Products ETF		14.66%33.15%3.32%17.88%0.85%-8.17%22.24%24.73%-13.95%24.07%
FTXH
First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF		8.95%24.15%2.98%-1.41%2.55%6.14%11.73%22.13%-9.51%19.44%

Correlation

The correlation between BBP and FTXH is 0.71, 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

0.71

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.70

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.66

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 22, 2016

0.63

The correlation between BBP and FTXH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.63 to 0.71 - a consistent structural relationship.

BBP vs. FTXH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
BBP
FTXH

Healthcare

100.0%
100.0%

Basic Materials

-

-

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Energy

-

-

Financial Services

-

-

Industrials

-

-

Real Estate

-

-

Technology

-

-

Utilities

-

-

Healthcare

BBP
100.0%
FTXH
100.0%

Basic Materials

BBP

-

FTXH

-

Communication Services

BBP

-

FTXH

-

Consumer Cyclical

BBP

-

FTXH

-

Consumer Defensive

BBP

-

FTXH

-

Energy

BBP

-

FTXH

-

Financial Services

BBP

-

FTXH

-

Industrials

BBP

-

FTXH

-

Real Estate

BBP

-

FTXH

-

Technology

BBP

-

FTXH

-

Utilities

BBP

-

FTXH

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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Virtus LifeSci Biotech Products ETF

First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF

Often compared with BBP:
BBP vs. BBCBBP vs. SBIOBBP vs. FBTBBP vs. IBBQBBP vs. IHEBBP vs. WDNABBP vs. TXG
Often compared with FTXH:
FTXH vs. PPHFTXH vs. MEDIFTXH vs. XLVFTXH vs. FXAIXFTXH vs. SPUSFTXH vs. ^GSPCFTXH vs. SMH

Return for Risk

BBP vs. FTXH — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
BBP
BBP Risk / Return Rank: 8181
Overall Rank
BBP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7979
Sharpe Ratio Rank
BBP Sortino Ratio Rank: 7878
Sortino Ratio Rank
BBP Omega Ratio Rank: 6767
Omega Ratio Rank
BBP Calmar Ratio Rank: 9393
Calmar Ratio Rank
BBP Martin Ratio Rank: 9090
Martin Ratio Rank
FTXH
FTXH Risk / Return Rank: 8383
Overall Rank
FTXH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8181
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FTXH Sortino Ratio Rank: 8686
Sortino Ratio Rank
FTXH Omega Ratio Rank: 7474
Omega Ratio Rank
FTXH Calmar Ratio Rank: 9191
Calmar Ratio Rank
FTXH Martin Ratio Rank: 8484
Martin Ratio Rank
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. FTXH - 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 Pharmaceuticals ETF (FTXH). 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.

BBPFTXHDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.41
2.49

-0.08

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.31
3.67

-0.36

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.39

1.42

-0.03

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

6.22

5.72

+0.50

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

19.33

16.84

+2.50

BBP vs. FTXH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BBP Sharpe Ratio is 2.41, which is comparable to the FTXH Sharpe Ratio of 2.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BBP and FTXH, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

BBP vs. FTXH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BBP drawdown since its inception was -44.32%, which is greater than FTXH's maximum drawdown of -32.11%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BBP and FTXH.

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Drawdown Indicators

BBPFTXHDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-44.32%

-32.11%

-12.21%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.28%

-7.47%

-1.81%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-26.09%

-19.51%

-6.58%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-37.89%

-19.51%

-18.38%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-44.32%

—

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

0.00%

-0.74%

+0.74%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-11.98%

-5.81%

-6.17%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.98%

2.53%

+0.45%

Volatility

BBP vs. FTXH - Volatility Comparison

Virtus LifeSci Biotech Products ETF (BBP) has a higher volatility of 6.39% compared to First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (FTXH) at 5.36%. This indicates that BBP's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FTXH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

BBPFTXHDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

6.39%

5.36%

+1.03%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

18.86%

11.98%

+6.88%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

23.98%

17.17%

+6.81%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

26.36%

16.37%

+9.99%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

27.42%

18.41%

+9.01%

BBP vs. FTXH - Expense Ratio Comparison

BBP has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than FTXH's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

BBP vs. FTXH - Dividend Comparison

BBP has not paid dividends to shareholders, while FTXH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.18%.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
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%
FTXH
First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF		1.18%1.41%1.66%1.55%1.11%1.03%0.82%0.67%0.91%2.18%0.19%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

BBP and FTXH have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

BBP has higher volatility (6.39%) compared to FTXH (5.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BBP dropped -44.32% vs FTXH's -32.11%.

On 5-year performance, BBP leads with 11.32% vs 8.39% for FTXH. On fees, FTXH is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, FTXH has been the lower-risk option at 5.36%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 5-year period, BBP has performed better with a 11.32% return vs 8.39%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

FTXH is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for BBP.

FTXH has the higher dividend yield at 1.18%, compared with 0.00% for BBP.

BBP tracks LifeSci Biotechnology Products Index, while FTXH tracks Nasdaq U.S. Smart Pharmaceuticals Index. They also come from different issuers: Virtus Investment Partners and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for BBP and 0.60% for FTXH.

FTXH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.49 vs 2.41), 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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