BIOT.L vs. FBT.L

Last updated Jul 16, 2026

BIOT.L (L&G Pharma Breakthrough UCITS ETF - USD Accumulating ETF) and FBT.L (First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology UCITS ETF Acc) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds - BIOT.L tracks the Solactive Pharma Breakthrough Value Index Net Total Return while FBT.L tracks the NASDAQ Biotechnology TR USD. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, BIOT.L returned 2.83%/yr vs 8.43%/yr for FBT.L. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BIOT.L charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for FBT.L.

Performance

BIOT.L vs. FBT.L - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in L&G Pharma Breakthrough UCITS ETF - USD Accumulating ETF (BIOT.L) and First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology UCITS ETF Acc (FBT.L). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Different Trading Currencies

BIOT.L is traded in USD, while FBT.L is traded in GBp. To make them comparable, the FBT.L values have been converted to USD using the latest available exchange rates.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BIOT.L achieves a 8.27% return, which is significantly lower than FBT.L's 17.95% return.

BIOT.L

• 1D: 0.31%
• 1M: 7.79%
• 6M: 7.56%
• YTD: 8.27%
• 1Y: 33.81%
• 3Y*: 10.20%
• 5Y*: 2.83%
• 10Y*: —

FBT.L

• 1D: 0.95%
• 1M: 9.25%
• 6M: 15.56%
• YTD: 17.95%
• 1Y: 50.74%
• 3Y*: 17.04%
• 5Y*: 8.43%
• 10Y*: —

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

BIOT.L vs. FBT.L - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
BIOT.L L&G Pharma Breakthrough UCITS ETF - USD Accumulating ETF	8.27%	36.47%	-5.31%	-9.28%	-8.41%	-3.60%	13.58%
FBT.L First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology UCITS ETF Acc	17.95%	26.13%	4.75%	3.37%	-5.94%	-3.45%	8,353.72%

Correlation

The correlation between BIOT.L and FBT.L is 0.73, 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	0.73
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.70
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 20, 2020	0.76

The correlation between BIOT.L and FBT.L has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BIOT.L vs. FBT.L — Risk / Return Rank

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

BIOT.L

BIOT.L Risk / Return Rank: 67
BIOT.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
BIOT.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
BIOT.L Omega Ratio Rank: 55
BIOT.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
BIOT.L Martin Ratio Rank: 70

FBT.L

FBT.L Risk / Return Rank: 82
FBT.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
FBT.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
FBT.L Omega Ratio Rank: 84
FBT.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
FBT.L Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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.

BIOT.L vs. FBT.L - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for L&G Pharma Breakthrough UCITS ETF - USD Accumulating ETF (BIOT.L) and First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology UCITS ETF Acc (FBT.L). 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.

	BIOT.L	FBT.L	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.67	2.36	-0.69
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.39	3.36	-0.98
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.39	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.52	3.50	+0.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.12	9.66	+0.46

BIOT.L vs. FBT.L - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BIOT.L Sharpe Ratio is 1.67, which is comparable to the FBT.L Sharpe Ratio of 2.36. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BIOT.L and FBT.L, 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

BIOT.L vs. FBT.L - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BIOT.L drawdown since its inception was -34.44%, roughly equal to the maximum FBT.L drawdown of -33.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BIOT.L and FBT.L.

Drawdown Indicators

	BIOT.L	FBT.L	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.44%	-33.79%	-0.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.55%	-14.43%	+4.88%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.91%	-22.01%	+2.10%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.80%	-29.85%	-3.95%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.72%	-3.52%	-2.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.31%	-12.92%	-0.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.33%	5.24%	-1.91%

Volatility

BIOT.L vs. FBT.L - Volatility Comparison

L&G Pharma Breakthrough UCITS ETF - USD Accumulating ETF (BIOT.L) and First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology UCITS ETF Acc (FBT.L) have volatilities of 6.08% and 6.14%, 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

	BIOT.L	FBT.L	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.08%	6.14%	-0.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.54%	16.56%	-1.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.18%	21.48%	-1.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.62%	24.63%	-6.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.50%	3,217.96%	-3,198.46%

BIOT.L vs. FBT.L - Expense Ratio Comparison

BIOT.L has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is lower than FBT.L's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

BIOT.L vs. FBT.L - Dividend Comparison

Neither BIOT.L nor FBT.L has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BIOT.L and FBT.L in my portfolio?

BIOT.L and FBT.L have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, BIOT.L or FBT.L?

On fees, BIOT.L is cheaper at 0.49% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, BIOT.L or FBT.L?

BIOT.L is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for FBT.L.

What is the main difference between BIOT.L and FBT.L?

BIOT.L tracks Solactive Pharma Breakthrough Value Index Net Total Return, while FBT.L tracks NASDAQ Biotechnology TR USD. They also come from different issuers: L&G and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for BIOT.L and 0.60% for FBT.L.