FTXH vs. IHE

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

FTXH (First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF) and IHE (iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds - FTXH tracks the Nasdaq U.S. Smart Pharmaceuticals Index while IHE tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Select Pharmaceuticals Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FTXH returned 8.33%/yr vs 10.57%/yr for IHE. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FTXH charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.42%/yr for IHE.

Performance

FTXH vs. IHE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (FTXH) 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, FTXH achieves a 7.62% return, which is significantly lower than IHE's 9.33% return.

FTXH

• 1D: 2.50%
• 1M: 3.66%
• YTD: 7.62%
• 6M: 9.20%
• 1Y: 39.54%
• 3Y*: 12.33%
• 5Y*: 8.33%
• 10Y*: —

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)

FTXH vs. IHE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FTXH First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF	7.62%	24.15%	2.98%	-1.41%	2.55%	6.14%	11.73%	22.13%	-9.51%	19.44%
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 FTXH and IHE is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 23, 2016	0.76

The correlation between FTXH and IHE shifts across timeframes, from 0.76 (all time) to 0.88 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FTXH vs. IHE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

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

Return for Risk

FTXH vs. IHE — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTXH

FTXH Risk / Return Rank: 77
FTXH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
FTXH Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
FTXH Omega Ratio Rank: 67
FTXH Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
FTXH Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

FTXH vs. IHE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (FTXH) 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.

	FTXH	IHE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.32	2.54	-0.22
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.40	3.67	-0.27
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.43	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.32	5.17	+0.15
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.35	15.58	-0.23
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FTXH vs. IHE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTXH Sharpe Ratio is 2.32, which is comparable to the IHE Sharpe Ratio of 2.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTXH 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

	FTXH	IHE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.32	2.54	-0.22
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51	0.65	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.44	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.39	0.51	-0.12

Drawdowns

FTXH vs. IHE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTXH drawdown since its inception was -32.11%, smaller than the maximum IHE drawdown of -38.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTXH and IHE.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTXH	IHE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.11%	-38.20%	+6.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.47%	-8.47%	+1.00%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.51%	-15.92%	-3.59%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.51%	-16.03%	-3.48%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-29.59%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.45%	-0.18%	-0.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.84%	-7.92%	+2.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.58%	2.81%	-0.23%

Volatility

FTXH vs. IHE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (FTXH) is 5.38%, while iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF (IHE) has a volatility of 6.04%. This indicates that FTXH 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

	FTXH	IHE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.38%	6.04%	-0.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.96%	12.70%	-0.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.14%	17.26%	-0.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.34%	16.28%	+0.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.43%	18.07%	+0.36%

FTXH vs. IHE - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTXH has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than IHE's 0.42% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTXH vs. IHE - Dividend Comparison

FTXH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.19%, less than IHE's 1.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTXH First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF	1.19%	1.41%	1.66%	1.55%	1.11%	1.03%	0.82%	0.67%	0.91%	2.18%	0.19%	0.00%
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 FTXH and IHE in my portfolio?

FTXH and IHE have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FTXH or IHE?

IHE has higher volatility (6.04%) compared to FTXH (5.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTXH dropped -32.11% vs IHE's -38.20%.

Which ETF is better, FTXH or IHE?

On 5-year performance, IHE leads with 10.57% vs 8.33% for FTXH. On fees, IHE is cheaper at 0.42% per year. On volatility, FTXH has been the lower-risk option at 5.38%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTXH or IHE?

Over the 5-year period, IHE has performed better with a 10.57% return vs 8.33%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTXH or IHE?

IHE is cheaper with a 0.42% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for FTXH.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FTXH or IHE?

IHE has the higher dividend yield at 1.61%, compared with 1.19% for FTXH.

What is the main difference between FTXH and IHE?

FTXH tracks Nasdaq U.S. Smart Pharmaceuticals Index, while IHE tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Pharmaceuticals Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for FTXH and 0.42% for IHE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IHE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.54 vs 2.32), 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.