GNOM vs. IBB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GNOM (Global X Genomics & Biotechnology ETF) and IBB (iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds - GNOM tracks the Solactive Genomics Index while IBB tracks the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, GNOM returned -10.20%/yr vs 2.10%/yr for IBB. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GNOM charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.47%/yr for IBB.

Performance

GNOM vs. IBB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X Genomics & Biotechnology ETF (GNOM) 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, GNOM achieves a 7.81% return, which is significantly higher than IBB's -0.68% return.

GNOM

• 1D: 1.99%
• 1M: 5.82%
• YTD: 7.81%
• 6M: 6.65%
• 1Y: 54.21%
• 3Y*: -0.94%
• 5Y*: -10.20%
• 10Y*: —

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)

GNOM vs. IBB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
GNOM Global X Genomics & Biotechnology ETF	7.81%	18.65%	-15.99%	-8.63%	-36.27%	-15.93%	51.52%	1.56%
IBB iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF	-0.68%	27.98%	-2.41%	3.76%	-13.69%	0.95%	26.01%	6.12%

Correlation

The correlation between GNOM and IBB is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 11, 2019	0.86

The correlation between GNOM and IBB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

GNOM vs. IBB - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GNOM	IBB
Healthcare	99.6%	100.0%
Technology	0.4%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

GNOM vs. IBB — Risk / Return Rank

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

GNOM

GNOM Risk / Return Rank: 57
GNOM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
GNOM Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
GNOM Omega Ratio Rank: 53
GNOM Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
GNOM Martin Ratio Rank: 51

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.

GNOM vs. IBB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X Genomics & Biotechnology ETF (GNOM) 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.

	GNOM	IBB	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.06	1.74	+0.31
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.91	2.50	+0.40
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.30	+0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.00	3.60	-0.60
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	8.62	11.43	-2.80
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GNOM vs. IBB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GNOM Sharpe Ratio is 2.06, which is comparable to the IBB Sharpe Ratio of 1.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GNOM 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

	GNOM	IBB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.06	1.74	+0.31
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.31	0.10	-0.40
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.27	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.09	0.26	-0.34

Drawdowns

GNOM vs. IBB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GNOM drawdown since its inception was -75.00%, which is greater than IBB's maximum drawdown of -62.85%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GNOM and IBB.

Drawdown Indicators

	GNOM	IBB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-75.00%	-62.85%	-12.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.17%	-9.63%	-8.54%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-46.47%	-24.85%	-21.62%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-72.29%	-39.82%	-32.47%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-39.82%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-55.45%	-5.64%	-49.81%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-40.55%	-21.18%	-19.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.30%	3.03%	+3.27%

Volatility

GNOM vs. IBB - Volatility Comparison

Global X Genomics & Biotechnology ETF (GNOM) has a higher volatility of 8.47% compared to iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBB) at 6.86%. This indicates that GNOM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IBB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GNOM	IBB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.47%	6.86%	+1.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.44%	15.38%	+4.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.50%	19.89%	+6.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	33.57%	21.99%	+11.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	34.17%	23.22%	+10.95%

GNOM vs. IBB - Expense Ratio Comparison

GNOM has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than IBB's 0.47% expense ratio.

Dividends

GNOM vs. IBB - Dividend Comparison

GNOM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.27%, more than IBB's 0.23% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GNOM Global X Genomics & Biotechnology ETF	1.27%	1.37%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.03%	0.14%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
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 GNOM and IBB in my portfolio?

GNOM and IBB have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GNOM or IBB?

GNOM has higher volatility (8.47%) compared to IBB (6.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GNOM dropped -75.00% vs IBB's -62.85%.

Which ETF is better, GNOM or IBB?

On 5-year performance, IBB leads with 2.10% vs -10.20% for GNOM. On fees, IBB is cheaper at 0.47% per year. On volatility, IBB has been the lower-risk option at 6.86%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GNOM or IBB?

Over the 5-year period, IBB has performed better with a 2.10% return vs -10.20%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GNOM or IBB?

IBB is cheaper with a 0.47% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for GNOM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GNOM or IBB?

GNOM has the higher dividend yield at 1.27%, compared with 0.23% for IBB.

What is the main difference between GNOM and IBB?

GNOM tracks Solactive Genomics Index, while IBB tracks NASDAQ Biotechnology Index. They also come from different issuers: Global X and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for GNOM and 0.47% for IBB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GNOM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.06 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.