FBT vs. PBPH
FBT (First Trust Amex Biotechnology Index) and PBPH (Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds - FBT tracks the NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index while PBPH tracks the BITA Global Pharma and Biotech Select Index. Both are passively managed. Their 0.70 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. FBT charges 0.57%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for PBPH.
Performance
FBT vs. PBPH - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FBT achieves a 18.66% return, which is significantly higher than PBPH's 7.71% return.
FBT
- 1D
- -3.01%
- 1M
- -4.04%
- 6M
- 15.09%
- YTD
- 18.66%
- 1Y
- 49.10%
- 3Y*
- 17.01%
- 5Y*
- 8.29%
- 10Y*
- 9.39%
- ALL TIME*
- 13.46%
PBPH
- 1D
- -1.24%
- 1M
- -2.58%
- 6M
- 4.02%
- YTD
- 7.71%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- —
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $41.36M | $24.77M | $18.75M | |
| $2.67M | $4.96M | $3.73M |
FBT vs. PBPH - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
FBT First Trust Amex Biotechnology Index | 18.66% | -1.39% |
PBPH Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF | 7.71% | 0.74% |
Correlation
The correlation between FBT and PBPH is 0.70, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 25, 2025 | 0.70 |
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Return for Risk
FBT vs. PBPH — Risk / Return Rank
FBT
PBPH
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
FBT vs. PBPH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Amex Biotechnology Index (FBT) and Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF (PBPH). 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.
| FBT | PBPH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.39 | — | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.47 | — | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.25 | — | — |
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Drawdowns
FBT vs. PBPH - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FBT drawdown since its inception was -40.51%, which is greater than PBPH's maximum drawdown of -11.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FBT and PBPH.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FBT | PBPH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -40.51% | -11.10% | -29.41% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.26% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -20.05% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -28.98% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -32.37% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.34% | -3.03% | -1.31% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -11.09% | -4.04% | -7.05% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.81% | — | — |
Volatility
FBT vs. PBPH - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| FBT | PBPH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.29% | — | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 16.08% | — | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 21.41% | 17.84% | +3.57% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 22.01% | 17.84% | +4.17% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 23.77% | 17.84% | +5.93% |
FBT vs. PBPH - Expense Ratio Comparison
FBT has a 0.57% expense ratio, which is higher than PBPH's 0.13% expense ratio.
Dividends
FBT vs. PBPH - Dividend Comparison
FBT has not paid dividends to shareholders, while PBPH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.08%.
| 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% |
PBPH Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF | 0.08% | 0.09% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FBT and PBPH have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, PBPH is cheaper at 0.13% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
PBPH is cheaper with a 0.13% expense ratio, compared with 0.57% for FBT.
PBPH has the higher dividend yield at 0.08%, compared with 0.00% for FBT.
FBT tracks NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index, while PBPH tracks BITA Global Pharma and Biotech Select Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Portfolio Building Block. Their fees differ too: 0.57% for FBT and 0.13% for PBPH.
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