ETHSX vs. FBDIX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

ETHSX (Eaton Vance Worldwide Health Sciences Fund) and FBDIX (Franklin Biotechnology Discovery Fund) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, ETHSX returned 6.65%/yr vs 9.96%/yr for FBDIX. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ETHSX charges 1.20%/yr vs 1.06%/yr for FBDIX.

Performance

ETHSX vs. FBDIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Eaton Vance Worldwide Health Sciences Fund (ETHSX) and Franklin Biotechnology Discovery Fund (FBDIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ETHSX achieves a -8.58% return, which is significantly lower than FBDIX's 1.97% return. Over the past 10 years, ETHSX has underperformed FBDIX with an annualized return of 6.65%, while FBDIX has yielded a comparatively higher 9.96% annualized return.

ETHSX

• 1D: 0.41%
• 1M: -1.46%
• YTD: -8.58%
• 6M: -7.33%
• 1Y: 2.43%
• 3Y*: 2.72%
• 5Y*: 2.86%
• 10Y*: 6.65%

FBDIX

• 1D: 1.37%
• 1M: -4.76%
• YTD: 1.97%
• 6M: 2.55%
• 1Y: 62.78%
• 3Y*: 27.17%
• 5Y*: 8.29%
• 10Y*: 9.96%

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

ETHSX vs. FBDIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ETHSX Eaton Vance Worldwide Health Sciences Fund	-8.58%	10.23%	3.48%	5.67%	-9.41%	22.02%	13.04%	25.99%	5.87%	16.24%
FBDIX Franklin Biotechnology Discovery Fund	1.97%	52.68%	15.37%	18.40%	-12.65%	-27.58%	29.85%	49.11%	-15.77%	18.83%

Correlation

The correlation between ETHSX and FBDIX is 0.62, 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	0.62
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.63
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 16, 1997	0.81

The correlation between ETHSX and FBDIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.62 (1 year) to 0.81 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

ETHSX vs. FBDIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ETHSX

ETHSX Risk / Return Rank: 4
ETHSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
ETHSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
ETHSX Omega Ratio Rank: 4
ETHSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 4
ETHSX Martin Ratio Rank: 4

FBDIX

FBDIX Risk / Return Rank: 81
FBDIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
FBDIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
FBDIX Omega Ratio Rank: 62
FBDIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
FBDIX Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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.

ETHSX vs. FBDIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Eaton Vance Worldwide Health Sciences Fund (ETHSX) and Franklin Biotechnology Discovery Fund (FBDIX). 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.

	ETHSX	FBDIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.19	2.69	-2.50
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.40	3.54	-3.14
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.04	1.43	-0.39
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.24	6.76	-6.52
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.57	22.71	-22.14
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ETHSX vs. FBDIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ETHSX Sharpe Ratio is 0.19, which is lower than the FBDIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.69. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ETHSX and FBDIX, 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

	ETHSX	FBDIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.19	2.69	-2.50
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.19	0.32	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.41	0.38	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.10	0.40	-0.31

Drawdowns

ETHSX vs. FBDIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ETHSX drawdown since its inception was -90.06%, which is greater than FBDIX's maximum drawdown of -71.44%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ETHSX and FBDIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ETHSX	FBDIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-90.06%	-71.44%	-18.62%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.35%	-9.18%	-3.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.91%	-24.22%	+5.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.58%	-46.83%	+27.25%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-27.43%	-53.67%	+26.24%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-12.97%	-7.93%	-5.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-44.06%	-28.74%	-15.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.12%	2.73%	+2.39%

Volatility

ETHSX vs. FBDIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Eaton Vance Worldwide Health Sciences Fund (ETHSX) is 4.37%, while Franklin Biotechnology Discovery Fund (FBDIX) has a volatility of 8.57%. This indicates that ETHSX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FBDIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ETHSX	FBDIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.37%	8.57%	-4.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.37%	17.73%	-7.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.06%	23.08%	-8.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.91%	25.76%	-10.85%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.24%	26.32%	-10.08%

ETHSX vs. FBDIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ETHSX has a 1.20% expense ratio, which is higher than FBDIX's 1.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

ETHSX vs. FBDIX - Dividend Comparison

ETHSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.06%, less than FBDIX's 10.60% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ETHSX Eaton Vance Worldwide Health Sciences Fund	8.06%	7.36%	4.81%	2.48%	4.43%	8.25%	7.33%	5.39%	5.51%	2.82%	12.75%	9.70%
FBDIX Franklin Biotechnology Discovery Fund	10.60%	10.81%	19.53%	0.00%	0.13%	0.98%	14.50%	18.77%	3.72%	2.39%	4.57%	8.42%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ETHSX and FBDIX in my portfolio?

ETHSX and FBDIX have a correlation of 0.62, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ETHSX or FBDIX?

FBDIX has higher volatility (8.57%) compared to ETHSX (4.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ETHSX dropped -90.06% vs FBDIX's -71.44%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FBDIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.69 vs 0.19), 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.