DRUG.AX vs. NDQ.AX

Last updated Jul 16, 2026

DRUG.AX (Betashares Global Healthcare Currency Hedged ETF) and NDQ.AX (BetaShares NASDAQ 100 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DRUG.AX is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq Global ex-Australia Healthcare Hedged AUD Index, while NDQ.AX is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, DRUG.AX returned 3.65%/yr vs 16.34%/yr for NDQ.AX. At a 0.42 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. DRUG.AX charges 0.57%/yr vs 0.48%/yr for NDQ.AX.

Performance

DRUG.AX vs. NDQ.AX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a A$10,000 investment in Betashares Global Healthcare Currency Hedged ETF (DRUG.AX) and BetaShares NASDAQ 100 ETF (NDQ.AX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DRUG.AX achieves a -0.40% return, which is significantly lower than NDQ.AX's 10.94% return.

DRUG.AX

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: 1.68%
• 6M: -1.74%
• YTD: -0.40%
• 1Y: 14.00%
• 3Y*: 5.36%
• 5Y*: 3.65%
• 10Y*: —

NDQ.AX

• 1D: -1.45%
• 1M: -1.46%
• 6M: 9.73%
• YTD: 10.94%
• 1Y: 20.18%
• 3Y*: 22.74%
• 5Y*: 16.34%
• 10Y*: 21.65%

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

DRUG.AX vs. NDQ.AX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DRUG.AX Betashares Global Healthcare Currency Hedged ETF	-0.40%	11.83%	1.82%	0.76%	-3.68%	23.60%	4.75%	21.95%	2.11%	18.34%
NDQ.AX BetaShares NASDAQ 100 ETF	10.94%	11.35%	38.19%	53.22%	-28.42%	35.46%	34.50%	39.66%	8.97%	21.59%

Correlation

The correlation between DRUG.AX and NDQ.AX is 0.11, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.11
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.22
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.36
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 4, 2016	0.42

Over the past year, the correlation between DRUG.AX and NDQ.AX has dropped to 0.11 - well below their long-term average of 0.42, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

DRUG.AX vs. NDQ.AX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DRUG.AX

DRUG.AX Risk / Return Rank: 34
DRUG.AX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
DRUG.AX Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
DRUG.AX Omega Ratio Rank: 33
DRUG.AX Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
DRUG.AX Martin Ratio Rank: 30

NDQ.AX

NDQ.AX Risk / Return Rank: 39
NDQ.AX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
NDQ.AX Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
NDQ.AX Omega Ratio Rank: 44
NDQ.AX Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
NDQ.AX Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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.

DRUG.AX vs. NDQ.AX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Betashares Global Healthcare Currency Hedged ETF (DRUG.AX) and BetaShares NASDAQ 100 ETF (NDQ.AX). 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.

	DRUG.AX	NDQ.AX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.03	1.31	-0.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.64	1.82	-0.18
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.23	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.50	1.30	+0.20
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.58	3.30	+0.29

DRUG.AX vs. NDQ.AX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DRUG.AX Sharpe Ratio is 1.03, which is comparable to the NDQ.AX Sharpe Ratio of 1.31. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DRUG.AX and NDQ.AX, 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

DRUG.AX vs. NDQ.AX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DRUG.AX drawdown since its inception was -26.79%, smaller than the maximum NDQ.AX drawdown of -30.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DRUG.AX and NDQ.AX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DRUG.AX	NDQ.AX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.79%	-30.79%	+4.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.69%	-15.17%	+4.48%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.63%	-21.27%	+0.64%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.63%	-30.79%	+10.16%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-30.79%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.42%	-3.79%	-0.63%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.17%	-5.85%	+0.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.52%	6.08%	-1.56%

Volatility

DRUG.AX vs. NDQ.AX - Volatility Comparison

Betashares Global Healthcare Currency Hedged ETF (DRUG.AX) has a higher volatility of 6.08% compared to BetaShares NASDAQ 100 ETF (NDQ.AX) at 5.30%. This indicates that DRUG.AX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NDQ.AX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DRUG.AX	NDQ.AX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.08%	5.30%	+0.78%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.56%	11.69%	-0.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.69%	15.12%	+0.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.93%	19.15%	-4.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.16%	19.15%	-2.99%

DRUG.AX vs. NDQ.AX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DRUG.AX has a 0.57% expense ratio, which is higher than NDQ.AX's 0.48% expense ratio.

Dividends

DRUG.AX vs. NDQ.AX - Dividend Comparison

DRUG.AX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.69%, more than NDQ.AX's 1.47% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
DRUG.AX Betashares Global Healthcare Currency Hedged ETF	3.69%	0.00%	2.84%	0.00%	0.00%	4.49%	0.62%	0.28%	3.37%	0.00%	0.00%
NDQ.AX BetaShares NASDAQ 100 ETF	1.47%	0.93%	1.81%	2.09%	3.36%	3.33%	2.47%	2.22%	0.37%	0.25%	0.40%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DRUG.AX and NDQ.AX in my portfolio?

DRUG.AX and NDQ.AX have a correlation of 0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, DRUG.AX or NDQ.AX?

On fees, NDQ.AX is cheaper at 0.48% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, DRUG.AX or NDQ.AX?

NDQ.AX is cheaper with a 0.48% expense ratio, compared with 0.57% for DRUG.AX.

What is the main difference between DRUG.AX and NDQ.AX?

DRUG.AX is categorized as Health & Biotech Equities, while NDQ.AX is Nasdaq-100. DRUG.AX tracks Nasdaq Global ex-Australia Healthcare Hedged AUD Index, while NDQ.AX tracks NASDAQ-100 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.57% for DRUG.AX and 0.48% for NDQ.AX.