FBT vs. GERM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FBT (First Trust Amex Biotechnology Index) and GERM (Amplify Treatments, Testing and Advancements ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds - FBT tracks the NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index while GERM tracks the Prime Treatments, Testing and Advancements Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, FBT returned 35.94% vs 0.00% for GERM. FBT charges 0.57%/yr vs 0.68%/yr for GERM.

Performance

FBT vs. GERM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Amex Biotechnology Index (FBT) and Amplify Treatments, Testing and Advancements ETF (GERM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

FBT

• 1D: 2.92%
• 1M: 6.19%
• YTD: 7.08%
• 6M: 3.95%
• 1Y: 35.94%
• 3Y*: 12.40%
• 5Y*: 6.79%
• 10Y*: 8.86%

GERM

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• YTD: 0.00%
• 6M: 0.00%
• 1Y: 0.00%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

FBT vs. GERM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
FBT First Trust Amex Biotechnology Index	7.08%	24.25%	1.65%
GERM Amplify Treatments, Testing and Advancements ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

FBT vs. GERM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FBT	GERM
Healthcare	100.0%	99.3%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	0.4%
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

FBT vs. GERM — Risk / Return Rank

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

FBT

FBT Risk / Return Rank: 49
FBT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
FBT Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
FBT Omega Ratio Rank: 48
FBT Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
FBT Martin Ratio Rank: 45

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.

FBT vs. GERM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Amex Biotechnology Index (FBT) and Amplify Treatments, Testing and Advancements ETF (GERM). 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.

	FBT	GERM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.74	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.56	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.53	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.43	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FBT	GERM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.74	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.31	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.37	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.51	—	—

Drawdowns

FBT vs. GERM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FBT drawdown since its inception was -40.51%, which is greater than GERM's maximum drawdown of 0.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FBT and GERM.

Drawdown Indicators

	FBT	GERM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.51%	0.00%	-40.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.26%	0.00%	-14.26%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.05%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.05%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.37%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.72%	0.00%	-0.72%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.17%	0.00%	-11.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.85%	0.00%	+4.85%

Volatility

FBT vs. GERM - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Amex Biotechnology Index (FBT) has a higher volatility of 6.94% compared to Amplify Treatments, Testing and Advancements ETF (GERM) at 0.00%. This indicates that FBT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GERM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FBT	GERM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.94%	0.00%	+6.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.87%	0.00%	+15.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.79%	0.00%	+20.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.89%	0.00%	+21.89%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.91%	0.00%	+23.91%

FBT vs. GERM - Expense Ratio Comparison

FBT has a 0.57% expense ratio, which is lower than GERM's 0.68% expense ratio.

Dividends

FBT vs. GERM - Dividend Comparison

Neither FBT nor GERM has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FBT First Trust Amex Biotechnology Index	0.00%	0.00%	0.71%	0.00%	0.00%	1.37%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.12%
GERM Amplify Treatments, Testing and Advancements ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is riskier, FBT or GERM?

FBT has higher volatility (6.94%) compared to GERM (0.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FBT dropped -40.51% vs GERM's 0.00%.

Which ETF is better, FBT or GERM?

On 1-year performance, FBT leads with 35.94% vs 0.00% for GERM. On fees, FBT is cheaper at 0.57% per year. On volatility, GERM has been the lower-risk option at 0.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FBT or GERM?

Over the 1-year period, FBT has performed better with a 35.94% return vs 0.00%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FBT or GERM?

FBT is cheaper with a 0.57% expense ratio, compared with 0.68% for GERM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FBT or GERM?

FBT and GERM have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between FBT and GERM?

FBT tracks NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index, while GERM tracks Prime Treatments, Testing and Advancements Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Amplify. Their fees differ too: 0.57% for FBT and 0.68% for GERM.