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FTXH vs. IHE
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

FTXH vs. IHE

Last updated Jun 26, 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 8.84%/yr vs 10.84%/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.

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with FTXH having a 13.18% return and IHE slightly higher at 13.81%.

FTXH

1D
1.20%
1M
7.35%
YTD
13.18%
6M
11.16%
1Y
46.87%
3Y*
14.15%
5Y*
8.84%
10Y*
—

IHE

1D
0.90%
1M
5.53%
YTD
13.81%
6M
11.99%
1Y
48.10%
3Y*
19.70%
5Y*
10.84%
10Y*
9.50%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

FTXH vs. IHE - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
FTXH
First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF		13.18%24.15%2.98%-1.41%2.55%6.14%11.73%22.13%-9.51%19.44%
IHE
iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF		13.81%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 0.89, 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

0.89

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 22, 2016

0.76

The correlation between FTXH and IHE shifts across timeframes, from 0.76 (all time) to 0.89 (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

-

-

Healthcare

FTXH
100.0%
IHE
100.0%

Basic Materials

FTXH

-

IHE

-

Communication Services

FTXH

-

IHE

-

Consumer Cyclical

FTXH

-

IHE

-

Consumer Defensive

FTXH

-

IHE

-

Energy

FTXH

-

IHE

-

Financial Services

FTXH

-

IHE

-

Industrials

FTXH

-

IHE

-

Real Estate

FTXH

-

IHE

-

Technology

FTXH

-

IHE

-

Utilities

FTXH

-

IHE

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF

iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF

Often compared with FTXH:
FTXH vs. PPHFTXH vs. BBPFTXH vs. MEDIFTXH vs. XLVFTXH vs. FXAIXFTXH vs. SPUSFTXH vs. ^GSPC
Often compared with IHE:
IHE vs. PPHIHE vs. XPHIHE vs. XLVIHE vs. VYMIHE vs. PJPIHE vs. IAKIHE vs. BBP

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: 9191
Overall Rank
FTXH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9191
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FTXH Sortino Ratio Rank: 9393
Sortino Ratio Rank
FTXH Omega Ratio Rank: 8686
Omega Ratio Rank
FTXH Calmar Ratio Rank: 9494
Calmar Ratio Rank
FTXH Martin Ratio Rank: 9191
Martin Ratio Rank
IHE
IHE Risk / Return Rank: 9191
Overall Rank
IHE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9292
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IHE Sortino Ratio Rank: 9393
Sortino Ratio Rank
IHE Omega Ratio Rank: 8888
Omega Ratio Rank
IHE Calmar Ratio Rank: 9393
Calmar Ratio Rank
IHE Martin Ratio Rank: 9090
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.

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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

FTXHIHEDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.74
2.81

-0.07

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.97
4.03

-0.06

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.46

1.47

-0.01

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

6.30

5.70

+0.60

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

18.56

17.54

+1.02

FTXH vs. IHE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTXH Sharpe Ratio is 2.74, which is comparable to the IHE Sharpe Ratio of 2.81. 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.

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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.

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Drawdown Indicators

FTXHIHEDifference

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

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-5.80%

-7.90%

+2.10%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.53%

2.75%

-0.22%

Volatility

FTXH vs. IHE - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (FTXH) and iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF (IHE) have volatilities of 5.48% and 5.26%, 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.

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Volatility by Period

FTXHIHEDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.48%

5.26%

+0.22%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

12.01%

12.69%

-0.68%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

17.22%

17.23%

-0.01%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

16.38%

16.29%

+0.09%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

18.42%

18.04%

+0.38%

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 1.38%, less than IHE's 1.53% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
FTXH
First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF		1.38%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		1.53%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

FTXH and IHE have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

FTXH has higher volatility (5.48%) compared to IHE (5.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTXH dropped -32.11% vs IHE's -38.20%.

On 5-year performance, IHE leads with 10.84% vs 8.84% for FTXH. On fees, IHE is cheaper at 0.42% per year. On volatility, IHE has been the lower-risk option at 5.26%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 5-year period, IHE has performed better with a 10.84% return vs 8.84%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

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

IHE has the higher dividend yield at 1.53%, compared with 1.38% for FTXH.

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.

IHE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.81 vs 2.74), 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.

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