BIIB vs. VHT

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

BIIB (Biogen Inc.) is a stock, while VHT (Vanguard Health Care ETF) is Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Health Care 25/50 Index. Over the past 10 years, BIIB returned -1.49%/yr vs 10.14%/yr for VHT. A 0.60 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

BIIB vs. VHT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Biogen Inc. (BIIB) and Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BIIB achieves a 12.05% return, which is significantly higher than VHT's -0.03% return. Over the past 10 years, BIIB has underperformed VHT with an annualized return of -1.49%, while VHT has yielded a comparatively higher 10.14% annualized return.

BIIB

• 1D: -1.26%
• 1M: 1.77%
• YTD: 12.05%
• 6M: 12.80%
• 1Y: 58.06%
• 3Y*: -11.50%
• 5Y*: -10.80%
• 10Y*: -1.49%

VHT

• 1D: 1.30%
• 1M: 2.66%
• YTD: -0.03%
• 6M: -0.44%
• 1Y: 19.32%
• 3Y*: 7.09%
• 5Y*: 4.60%
• 10Y*: 10.14%

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

BIIB vs. VHT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BIIB Biogen Inc.	12.05%	15.09%	-40.91%	-6.55%	15.42%	-2.02%	-17.48%	-1.39%	-5.54%	12.34%
VHT Vanguard Health Care ETF	-0.03%	15.46%	2.66%	2.52%	-5.60%	20.57%	18.29%	21.87%	5.58%	23.26%

Correlation

The correlation between BIIB and VHT is 0.53, 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	0.53
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.53
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2004	0.60

The correlation between BIIB and VHT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.53 to 0.60 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BIIB vs. VHT — Risk / Return Rank

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

BIIB

BIIB Risk / Return Rank: 86
BIIB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
BIIB Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
BIIB Omega Ratio Rank: 80
BIIB Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
BIIB Martin Ratio Rank: 88

VHT

VHT Risk / Return Rank: 37
VHT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
VHT Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
VHT Omega Ratio Rank: 36
VHT Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
VHT Martin Ratio Rank: 32

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.

BIIB vs. VHT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Biogen Inc. (BIIB) and Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT). 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.

	BIIB	VHT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.75	1.32	+0.43
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.57	2.04	+0.53
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.23	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.07	1.87	+2.20
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.16	4.59	+5.58

BIIB vs. VHT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BIIB Sharpe Ratio is 1.75, which is higher than the VHT Sharpe Ratio of 1.32. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BIIB and VHT, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

BIIB vs. VHT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BIIB drawdown since its inception was -89.98%, which is greater than VHT's maximum drawdown of -39.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BIIB and VHT.

Drawdown Indicators

	BIIB	VHT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-89.98%	-39.12%	-50.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.34%	-10.40%	-3.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-60.34%	-16.91%	-43.43%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-69.28%	-17.71%	-51.57%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-72.66%	-28.85%	-43.81%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-58.57%	-3.20%	-55.37%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-36.63%	-5.98%	-30.65%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.73%	4.22%	+1.51%

Volatility

BIIB vs. VHT - Volatility Comparison

Biogen Inc. (BIIB) has a higher volatility of 8.42% compared to Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) at 5.02%. This indicates that BIIB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VHT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BIIB	VHT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.42%	5.02%	+3.40%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	24.36%	10.49%	+13.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	33.40%	14.72%	+18.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	34.27%	15.03%	+19.24%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	41.30%	16.95%	+24.35%

Dividends

BIIB vs. VHT - Dividend Comparison

BIIB has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VHT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.64%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BIIB Biogen Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VHT Vanguard Health Care ETF	1.64%	1.61%	1.53%	1.36%	1.33%	1.14%	1.21%	1.89%	1.38%	1.31%	1.45%	1.22%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BIIB and VHT in my portfolio?

BIIB and VHT have a correlation of 0.53, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BIIB or VHT?

BIIB has higher volatility (8.42%) compared to VHT (5.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BIIB dropped -89.98% vs VHT's -39.12%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BIIB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.75 vs 1.32), 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.