FBT vs. PPH
Compare and contrast key facts about First Trust Amex Biotechnology Index (FBT) and VanEck Vectors Pharmaceutical ETF (PPH).
FBT and PPH 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. PPH is a passively managed fund by VanEck that tracks the performance of the MVIS US Listed Pharmaceutical 25 Index. It was launched on Dec 20, 2011. Both FBT and PPH 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. PPH - Performance Comparison
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FBT vs. PPH - 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% |
PPH VanEck Vectors Pharmaceutical ETF | 0.69% | 22.00% | 8.05% | 6.95% | 2.64% | 17.79% | 5.49% | 19.39% | -5.89% | 15.23% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FBT achieves a -2.76% return, which is significantly lower than PPH's 0.69% return. Over the past 10 years, FBT has outperformed PPH with an annualized return of 8.59%, while PPH has yielded a comparatively lower 8.04% 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%
PPH
- 1D
- 1.94%
- 1M
- -7.00%
- YTD
- 0.69%
- 6M
- 15.81%
- 1Y
- 16.30%
- 3Y*
- 12.44%
- 5Y*
- 10.59%
- 10Y*
- 8.04%
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FBT vs. PPH - Expense Ratio Comparison
FBT has a 0.57% expense ratio, which is higher than PPH's 0.36% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
FBT vs. PPH — Risk / Return Rank
FBT
PPH
FBT vs. PPH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Amex Biotechnology Index (FBT) and VanEck Vectors Pharmaceutical ETF (PPH). 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 | PPH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 0.73 | 0.83 | -0.10 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.17 | 1.26 | -0.09 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.15 | 1.16 | -0.01 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.52 | 1.48 | +0.03 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.09 | 4.08 | +0.01 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| FBT | PPH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.73 | 0.83 | -0.10 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.22 | 0.72 | -0.50 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.36 | 0.48 | -0.12 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.50 | 0.31 | +0.19 |
Correlation
The correlation between FBT and PPH is 0.64, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.
Dividends
FBT vs. PPH - Dividend Comparison
FBT has not paid dividends to shareholders, while PPH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.77%.
| 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% |
PPH VanEck Vectors Pharmaceutical ETF | 1.77% | 1.78% | 1.98% | 2.09% | 1.55% | 1.62% | 1.66% | 1.77% | 1.97% | 1.92% | 2.43% | 1.93% |
Drawdowns
FBT vs. PPH - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FBT drawdown since its inception was -40.51%, smaller than the maximum PPH drawdown of -51.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FBT and PPH.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FBT | PPH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -40.51% | -51.45% | +10.94% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.26% | -10.02% | -4.24% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -29.05% | -20.26% | -8.79% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -32.37% | -29.70% | -2.67% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -9.48% | -7.00% | -2.48% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -11.22% | -17.38% | +6.16% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.33% | 4.14% | +1.19% |
Volatility
FBT vs. PPH - Volatility Comparison
First Trust Amex Biotechnology Index (FBT) has a higher volatility of 8.93% compared to VanEck Vectors Pharmaceutical ETF (PPH) at 5.11%. This indicates that FBT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PPH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FBT | PPH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.93% | 5.11% | +3.82% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 15.57% | 12.37% | +3.20% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 24.96% | 19.67% | +5.29% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.72% | 14.85% | +6.87% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 24.06% | 16.95% | +7.11% |