FPHAX vs. IHE

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

FPHAX (Fidelity Select Pharmaceuticals Portfolio) and IHE (iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, FPHAX returned 11.51%/yr vs 7.97%/yr for IHE. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FPHAX charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.42%/yr for IHE.

Performance

FPHAX vs. IHE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Select Pharmaceuticals Portfolio (FPHAX) and iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF (IHE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FPHAX achieves a 8.08% return, which is significantly lower than IHE's 9.33% return. Over the past 10 years, FPHAX has outperformed IHE with an annualized return of 11.51%, while IHE has yielded a comparatively lower 7.97% annualized return.

FPHAX

• 1D: 1.02%
• 1M: 4.25%
• YTD: 8.08%
• 6M: 9.92%
• 1Y: 40.08%
• 3Y*: 17.60%
• 5Y*: 13.04%
• 10Y*: 11.51%

IHE

• 1D: 2.69%
• 1M: 3.48%
• YTD: 9.33%
• 6M: 12.42%
• 1Y: 43.59%
• 3Y*: 18.33%
• 5Y*: 10.57%
• 10Y*: 7.97%

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

FPHAX vs. IHE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FPHAX Fidelity Select Pharmaceuticals Portfolio	8.08%	30.41%	9.39%	12.54%	0.94%	11.79%	11.16%	31.73%	5.41%	10.70%
IHE iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF	9.33%	31.69%	8.13%	1.06%	-4.87%	13.07%	13.66%	15.47%	-7.76%	10.64%

Correlation

The correlation between FPHAX and IHE is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 8, 2006	0.89

The correlation between FPHAX and IHE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FPHAX vs. IHE — Risk / Return Rank

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

FPHAX

FPHAX Risk / Return Rank: 55
FPHAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
FPHAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
FPHAX Omega Ratio Rank: 42
FPHAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
FPHAX Martin Ratio Rank: 52

IHE

IHE Risk / Return Rank: 81
IHE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
IHE Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
IHE Omega Ratio Rank: 73
IHE Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
IHE Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

FPHAX vs. IHE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Select Pharmaceuticals Portfolio (FPHAX) and iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF (IHE). 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.

	FPHAX	IHE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.07	2.54	-0.46
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.89	3.67	-0.78
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.43	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.04	5.17	-1.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.52	15.58	-5.06
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FPHAX vs. IHE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FPHAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.07, which is comparable to the IHE Sharpe Ratio of 2.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FPHAX and IHE, 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

	FPHAX	IHE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.07	2.54	-0.46
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73	0.65	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.65	0.44	+0.20
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.54	0.51	+0.03

Drawdowns

FPHAX vs. IHE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FPHAX drawdown since its inception was -38.26%, roughly equal to the maximum IHE drawdown of -38.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FPHAX and IHE.

Drawdown Indicators

	FPHAX	IHE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.26%	-38.20%	-0.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.33%	-8.47%	-1.86%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.82%	-15.92%	-12.90%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.82%	-16.03%	-12.79%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-28.82%	-29.59%	+0.77%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.57%	-0.18%	-1.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.18%	-7.92%	-1.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.96%	2.81%	+1.15%

Volatility

FPHAX vs. IHE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Fidelity Select Pharmaceuticals Portfolio (FPHAX) is 5.33%, while iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF (IHE) has a volatility of 6.04%. This indicates that FPHAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IHE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FPHAX	IHE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.33%	6.04%	-0.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.01%	12.70%	+1.31%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.13%	17.26%	+2.87%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.04%	16.28%	+1.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.86%	18.07%	-0.21%

FPHAX vs. IHE - Expense Ratio Comparison

FPHAX has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than IHE's 0.42% expense ratio.

Dividends

FPHAX vs. IHE - Dividend Comparison

FPHAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.14%, more than IHE's 1.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FPHAX Fidelity Select Pharmaceuticals Portfolio	5.14%	5.68%	1.90%	8.08%	5.18%	11.09%	8.85%	8.33%	1.65%	1.62%	1.07%	12.63%
IHE iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF	1.61%	1.76%	1.73%	1.39%	2.01%	1.49%	1.19%	1.40%	1.25%	1.36%	0.92%	1.93%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FPHAX and IHE in my portfolio?

FPHAX and IHE have a correlation of 0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FPHAX or IHE?

IHE has higher volatility (6.04%) compared to FPHAX (5.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FPHAX dropped -38.26% vs IHE's -38.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IHE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.54 vs 2.07), 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.