FBT vs. IBB

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about First Trust Amex Biotechnology Index (FBT) and iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBB).

FBT and IBB are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. FBT is a passively managed fund by First Trust that tracks the performance of the NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index. It was launched on Jun 23, 2006. IBB is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index. It was launched on Feb 5, 2001. Both FBT and IBB are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

FBT vs. IBB - Performance Comparison

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

FBT vs. IBB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FBT First Trust Amex Biotechnology Index	-2.76%	24.25%	5.88%	2.55%	-4.83%	-2.26%	12.96%	19.74%	-0.30%	37.07%
IBB iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF	0.12%	27.98%	-2.41%	3.76%	-13.69%	0.95%	26.01%	25.42%	-9.53%	21.08%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FBT achieves a -2.76% return, which is significantly lower than IBB's 0.12% return. Over the past 10 years, FBT has outperformed IBB with an annualized return of 8.59%, while IBB has yielded a comparatively lower 6.84% annualized return.

FBT

• 1D: 4.05%
• 1M: -3.77%
• YTD: -2.76%
• 6M: 12.01%
• 1Y: 18.05%
• 3Y*: 9.26%
• 5Y*: 4.70%
• 10Y*: 8.59%

IBB

• 1D: 4.32%
• 1M: -3.65%
• YTD: 0.12%
• 6M: 17.17%
• 1Y: 32.33%
• 3Y*: 9.65%
• 5Y*: 2.46%
• 10Y*: 6.84%

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

FBT vs. IBB - Expense Ratio Comparison

FBT has a 0.57% expense ratio, which is higher than IBB's 0.47% expense ratio.

FBT

First Trust Amex Biotechnology Index

IBB

iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF

Return for Risk

FBT vs. IBB — Risk / Return Rank

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

FBT

FBT Risk / Return Rank: 46
FBT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
FBT Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
FBT Omega Ratio Rank: 39
FBT Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
FBT Martin Ratio Rank: 44

IBB

IBB Risk / Return Rank: 78
IBB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
IBB Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
IBB Omega Ratio Rank: 70
IBB Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
IBB Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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. IBB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Amex Biotechnology Index (FBT) and iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBB). 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	IBB	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.73	1.35	-0.62
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.17	1.91	-0.74
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.25	-0.10
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.52	2.41	-0.89
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	4.09	8.61	-4.52
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FBT vs. IBB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FBT Sharpe Ratio is 0.73, which is lower than the IBB Sharpe Ratio of 1.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FBT and IBB, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FBT	IBB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.73	1.35	-0.62
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.22	0.11	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.36	0.29	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.26	+0.24

Correlation

The correlation between FBT and IBB is 0.92, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

FBT vs. IBB - Dividend Comparison

FBT has not paid dividends to shareholders, while IBB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.23%.

	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%
IBB iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF	0.23%	0.23%	0.29%	0.26%	0.31%	0.21%	0.21%	0.33%	0.20%	0.30%	0.19%	0.03%

Drawdowns

FBT vs. IBB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FBT drawdown since its inception was -40.51%, smaller than the maximum IBB drawdown of -62.85%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FBT and IBB.

Drawdown Indicators

	FBT	IBB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.51%	-62.85%	+22.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.26%	-11.65%	-2.61%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.05%	-39.82%	+10.77%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.37%	-39.82%	+7.45%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.48%	-4.88%	-4.60%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.22%	-21.30%	+10.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.33%	3.47%	+1.86%

Volatility

FBT vs. IBB - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Amex Biotechnology Index (FBT) and iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBB) have volatilities of 8.93% and 8.62%, 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

	FBT	IBB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.93%	8.62%	+0.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.57%	14.53%	+1.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.96%	24.08%	+0.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.72%	21.87%	-0.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.06%	23.37%	+0.69%