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FHLC vs. FTXH
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

FHLC vs. FTXH

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FHLC (Fidelity MSCI Health Care Index ETF) and FTXH (First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds - FHLC tracks the MSCI USA IMI Health Care Index while FTXH tracks the Nasdaq U.S. Smart Pharmaceuticals Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FHLC returned 4.50%/yr vs 7.80%/yr for FTXH. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FHLC charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for FTXH.

Performance

FHLC vs. FTXH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity MSCI Health Care Index ETF (FHLC) and First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (FTXH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FHLC achieves a -3.90% return, which is significantly lower than FTXH's 5.00% return.

FHLC

1D
0.82%
1M
1.50%
YTD
-3.90%
6M
-4.11%
1Y
14.43%
3Y*
6.14%
5Y*
4.50%
10Y*
9.14%

FTXH

1D
1.69%
1M
1.65%
YTD
5.00%
6M
6.02%
1Y
36.24%
3Y*
11.48%
5Y*
7.80%
10Y*
—
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

FHLC vs. FTXH - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
FHLC
Fidelity MSCI Health Care Index ETF		-3.90%15.42%2.48%2.58%-5.55%20.39%18.13%21.94%4.71%23.34%
FTXH
First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF		5.00%24.15%2.98%-1.41%2.55%6.14%11.73%22.13%-9.51%19.44%

Correlation

The correlation between FHLC and FTXH is 0.87, 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

0.87

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.86

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.84

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 23, 2016

0.74

The correlation between FHLC and FTXH shifts across timeframes, from 0.74 (all time) to 0.87 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FHLC vs. FTXH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
FHLC
FTXH

Healthcare

99.6%
100.0%

Financial Services

0.1%

-

Technology

0.0%

-

Industrials

0.0%

-

Basic Materials

-

-

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Energy

-

-

Real Estate

-

-

Utilities

-

-

Healthcare

FHLC
99.6%
FTXH
100.0%

Financial Services

FHLC
0.1%
FTXH

-

Technology

FHLC
0.0%
FTXH

-

Industrials

FHLC
0.0%
FTXH

-

Basic Materials

FHLC

-

FTXH

-

Communication Services

FHLC

-

FTXH

-

Consumer Cyclical

FHLC

-

FTXH

-

Consumer Defensive

FHLC

-

FTXH

-

Energy

FHLC

-

FTXH

-

Real Estate

FHLC

-

FTXH

-

Utilities

FHLC

-

FTXH

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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Fidelity MSCI Health Care Index ETF

First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF

Often compared with FHLC:
FHLC vs. VHTFHLC vs. XLVFHLC vs. FSPHXFHLC vs. IHIFHLC vs. FSHCXFHLC vs. IXJFHLC vs. VOO
Often compared with FTXH:
FTXH vs. PPHFTXH vs. BBPFTXH vs. MEDIFTXH vs. XLVFTXH vs. FXAIXFTXH vs. SPUSFTXH vs. ^GSPC

Return for Risk

FHLC vs. FTXH — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
FHLC
FHLC Risk / Return Rank: 2727
Overall Rank
FHLC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2727
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FHLC Sortino Ratio Rank: 2929
Sortino Ratio Rank
FHLC Omega Ratio Rank: 2626
Omega Ratio Rank
FHLC Calmar Ratio Rank: 2828
Calmar Ratio Rank
FHLC Martin Ratio Rank: 2626
Martin Ratio Rank
FTXH
FTXH Risk / Return Rank: 7171
Overall Rank
FTXH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6464
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FTXH Sortino Ratio Rank: 6969
Sortino Ratio Rank
FTXH Omega Ratio Rank: 6060
Omega Ratio Rank
FTXH Calmar Ratio Rank: 8787
Calmar Ratio Rank
FTXH Martin Ratio Rank: 7474
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

FHLC vs. FTXH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity MSCI Health Care Index ETF (FHLC) and First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (FTXH). 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.

FHLCFTXHDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.01
2.14

-1.13

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.58
3.16

-1.58

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.18

1.37

-0.19

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.40

4.87

-3.48

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

3.52

14.07

-10.55

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FHLC vs. FTXH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FHLC Sharpe Ratio is 1.01, which is lower than the FTXH Sharpe Ratio of 2.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FHLC and FTXH, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

FHLCFTXHDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.01

2.14

-1.13

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.30

0.48

-0.18

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.55

—

—

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.61

0.38

+0.23

Drawdowns

FHLC vs. FTXH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FHLC drawdown since its inception was -28.76%, smaller than the maximum FTXH drawdown of -32.11%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FHLC and FTXH.

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Drawdown Indicators

FHLCFTXHDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-28.76%

-32.11%

+3.35%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-10.38%

-7.47%

-2.91%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-16.87%

-19.51%

+2.64%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-17.73%

-19.51%

+1.78%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-28.76%

—

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-6.96%

-2.88%

-4.08%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-5.19%

-5.84%

+0.65%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

4.11%

2.58%

+1.53%

Volatility

FHLC vs. FTXH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Fidelity MSCI Health Care Index ETF (FHLC) is 4.05%, while First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (FTXH) has a volatility of 4.83%. This indicates that FHLC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FTXH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

FHLCFTXHDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.05%

4.83%

-0.78%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

10.11%

11.73%

-1.62%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

14.33%

16.98%

-2.65%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

14.97%

16.31%

-1.34%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

16.81%

18.41%

-1.60%

FHLC vs. FTXH - Expense Ratio Comparison

FHLC has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than FTXH's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

FHLC vs. FTXH - Dividend Comparison

FHLC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.43%, more than FTXH's 1.22% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
FHLC
Fidelity MSCI Health Care Index ETF		1.43%1.40%1.51%1.40%1.30%1.16%1.45%1.18%1.38%1.38%1.40%2.07%
FTXH
First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF		1.22%1.41%1.66%1.55%1.11%1.03%0.82%0.67%0.91%2.18%0.19%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

FHLC and FTXH have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

FTXH has higher volatility (4.83%) compared to FHLC (4.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FHLC dropped -28.76% vs FTXH's -32.11%.

On 5-year performance, FTXH leads with 7.80% vs 4.50% for FHLC. On fees, FHLC is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, FHLC has been the lower-risk option at 4.05%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 5-year period, FTXH has performed better with a 7.80% return vs 4.50%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

FHLC is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for FTXH.

FHLC has the higher dividend yield at 1.43%, compared with 1.22% for FTXH.

FHLC tracks MSCI USA IMI Health Care Index, while FTXH tracks Nasdaq U.S. Smart Pharmaceuticals Index. They also come from different issuers: Fidelity and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for FHLC and 0.60% for FTXH.

FTXH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.14 vs 1.01), 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.

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