FBTAX vs. IBB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FBTAX (Fidelity Advisor Biotechnology Fund Class A) and IBB (iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, FBTAX returned 10.51%/yr vs 6.23%/yr for IBB. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FBTAX charges 1.00%/yr vs 0.47%/yr for IBB.

Performance

FBTAX vs. IBB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Advisor Biotechnology Fund Class A (FBTAX) and iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FBTAX achieves a -0.83% return, which is significantly lower than IBB's -0.68% return. Over the past 10 years, FBTAX has outperformed IBB with an annualized return of 10.51%, while IBB has yielded a comparatively lower 6.23% annualized return.

FBTAX

• 1D: -3.05%
• 1M: -5.57%
• YTD: -0.83%
• 6M: -4.16%
• 1Y: 44.32%
• 3Y*: 16.99%
• 5Y*: 9.26%
• 10Y*: 10.51%

IBB

• 1D: 1.97%
• 1M: -1.56%
• YTD: -0.68%
• 6M: -2.57%
• 1Y: 34.50%
• 3Y*: 9.40%
• 5Y*: 2.10%
• 10Y*: 6.23%

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

FBTAX vs. IBB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FBTAX Fidelity Advisor Biotechnology Fund Class A	-0.83%	39.54%	5.37%	10.70%	-7.95%	-3.10%	32.17%	25.74%	-3.86%	25.80%
IBB iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF	-0.68%	27.98%	-2.41%	3.76%	-13.69%	0.95%	26.01%	25.42%	-9.53%	21.08%

Correlation

The correlation between FBTAX and IBB is 0.86, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 13, 2001	0.94

The correlation between FBTAX and IBB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

FBTAX vs. IBB - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FBTAX	IBB
Healthcare	100.0%	100.0%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

FBTAX vs. IBB — Risk / Return Rank

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

FBTAX

FBTAX Risk / Return Rank: 62
FBTAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
FBTAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
FBTAX Omega Ratio Rank: 40
FBTAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
FBTAX Martin Ratio Rank: 81

IBB

IBB Risk / Return Rank: 56
IBB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
IBB Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
IBB Omega Ratio Rank: 46
IBB Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
IBB Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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.

FBTAX vs. IBB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Advisor Biotechnology Fund Class A (FBTAX) 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.

	FBTAX	IBB	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.10	1.74	+0.35
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.87	2.50	+0.37
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.30	+0.05
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.18	3.60	+1.58
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	15.20	11.43	+3.78
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FBTAX vs. IBB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FBTAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.10, which is comparable to the IBB Sharpe Ratio of 1.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FBTAX and IBB, 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

	FBTAX	IBB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.10	1.74	+0.35
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.40	0.10	+0.30
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.43	0.27	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.31	0.26	+0.05

Drawdowns

FBTAX vs. IBB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FBTAX drawdown since its inception was -63.55%, roughly equal to the maximum IBB drawdown of -62.85%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FBTAX and IBB.

Drawdown Indicators

	FBTAX	IBB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.55%	-62.85%	-0.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.91%	-9.63%	+0.72%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.86%	-24.85%	-8.01%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.51%	-39.82%	+3.31%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.82%	-39.82%	+1.00%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.91%	-5.64%	-3.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.22%	-21.18%	-0.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.03%	3.03%	0.00%

Volatility

FBTAX vs. IBB - Volatility Comparison

Fidelity Advisor Biotechnology Fund Class A (FBTAX) and iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBB) have volatilities of 7.10% and 6.86%, 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

	FBTAX	IBB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.10%	6.86%	+0.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.71%	15.38%	+1.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.10%	19.89%	+2.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.47%	21.99%	+1.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.42%	23.22%	+1.20%

FBTAX vs. IBB - Expense Ratio Comparison

FBTAX has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is higher than IBB's 0.47% expense ratio.

Dividends

FBTAX vs. IBB - Dividend Comparison

FBTAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.47%, more than IBB's 0.23% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FBTAX Fidelity Advisor Biotechnology Fund Class A	1.47%	1.45%	6.00%	1.15%	0.00%	20.12%	8.37%	6.77%	2.50%	0.00%	0.00%	5.36%
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%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FBTAX and IBB in my portfolio?

FBTAX and IBB have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FBTAX or IBB?

FBTAX has higher volatility (7.10%) compared to IBB (6.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FBTAX dropped -63.55% vs IBB's -62.85%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FBTAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.10 vs 1.74), 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.