BBVA vs. IHE

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

BBVA (Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A.) is a stock, while IHE (iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF) is Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Pharmaceuticals Index. Over the past 10 years, BBVA returned 19.97%/yr vs 7.97%/yr for IHE. At a 0.43 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

BBVA vs. IHE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (BBVA) and iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF (IHE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BBVA achieves a 1.00% return, which is significantly lower than IHE's 9.33% return. Over the past 10 years, BBVA has outperformed IHE with an annualized return of 19.97%, while IHE has yielded a comparatively lower 7.97% annualized return.

BBVA

• 1D: 0.79%
• 1M: 6.73%
• YTD: 1.00%
• 6M: 6.29%
• 1Y: 60.51%
• 3Y*: 57.72%
• 5Y*: 37.49%
• 10Y*: 19.97%

IHE

• 1D: 2.69%
• 1M: 3.48%
• YTD: 9.33%
• 6M: 12.42%
• 1Y: 43.59%
• 3Y*: 18.33%
• 5Y*: 10.57%
• 10Y*: 7.97%

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

BBVA vs. IHE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BBVA Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A.	1.00%	153.74%	14.20%	62.48%	10.09%	22.05%	-6.31%	11.07%	-35.01%	32.83%
IHE iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF	9.33%	31.69%	8.13%	1.06%	-4.87%	13.07%	13.66%	15.47%	-7.76%	10.64%

Correlation

The correlation between BBVA and IHE is 0.28, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.28
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.25
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.32
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.31
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 8, 2006	0.43

The correlation between BBVA and IHE shifts across timeframes, from 0.25 (3 years) to 0.43 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BBVA vs. IHE — Risk / Return Rank

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

BBVA

BBVA Risk / Return Rank: 82
BBVA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
BBVA Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
BBVA Omega Ratio Rank: 80
BBVA Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
BBVA Martin Ratio Rank: 82

IHE

IHE Risk / Return Rank: 81
IHE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
IHE Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
IHE Omega Ratio Rank: 73
IHE Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
IHE Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

BBVA vs. IHE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (BBVA) and iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF (IHE). 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.

	BBVA	IHE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.82	2.54	-0.71
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.38	3.67	-1.29
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.43	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.75	5.17	-2.42
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.31	15.58	-8.27
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BBVA vs. IHE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BBVA Sharpe Ratio is 1.82, which is comparable to the IHE Sharpe Ratio of 2.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BBVA and IHE, 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

	BBVA	IHE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.82	2.54	-0.71
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.12	0.65	+0.47
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55	0.44	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.27	0.51	-0.24

Drawdowns

BBVA vs. IHE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BBVA drawdown since its inception was -78.31%, which is greater than IHE's maximum drawdown of -38.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BBVA and IHE.

Drawdown Indicators

	BBVA	IHE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-78.31%	-38.20%	-40.11%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-22.14%	-8.47%	-13.67%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.14%	-15.92%	-6.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-42.28%	-16.03%	-26.25%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-69.63%	-29.59%	-40.04%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.83%	-0.18%	-9.65%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-29.08%	-7.92%	-21.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.30%	2.81%	+5.49%

Volatility

BBVA vs. IHE - Volatility Comparison

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (BBVA) has a higher volatility of 8.93% compared to iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF (IHE) at 6.04%. This indicates that BBVA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IHE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BBVA	IHE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.93%	6.04%	+2.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	26.46%	12.70%	+13.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	33.34%	17.26%	+16.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	33.51%	16.28%	+17.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	36.28%	18.07%	+18.21%

Dividends

BBVA vs. IHE - Dividend Comparison

BBVA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.74%, more than IHE's 1.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BBVA Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A.	4.74%	3.51%	7.71%	5.51%	6.29%	2.79%	3.50%	5.23%	5.75%	5.17%	6.02%	4.29%
IHE iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF	1.61%	1.76%	1.73%	1.39%	2.01%	1.49%	1.19%	1.40%	1.25%	1.36%	0.92%	1.93%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BBVA and IHE in my portfolio?

BBVA and IHE have a correlation of 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BBVA or IHE?

BBVA has higher volatility (8.93%) compared to IHE (6.04%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BBVA dropped -78.31% vs IHE's -38.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IHE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.54 vs 1.82), 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.