HEAL vs. IBB
Compare and contrast key facts about Global X HealthTech ETF (HEAL) and iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBB).
HEAL and IBB are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. HEAL is a passively managed fund by Global X that tracks the performance of the Global X HealthTech Index. It was launched on Jul 29, 2020. IBB is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index. It was launched on Feb 5, 2001. Both HEAL and IBB are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.
Performance
HEAL vs. IBB - Performance Comparison
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HEAL vs. IBB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HEAL Global X HealthTech ETF | -18.45% | -0.62% | -2.87% | -12.61% | -29.99% | -14.21% | 23.87% |
IBB iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF | 0.12% | 27.98% | -2.41% | 3.76% | -13.69% | 0.95% | 10.66% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, HEAL achieves a -18.45% return, which is significantly lower than IBB's 0.12% return.
HEAL
- 1D
- 2.83%
- 1M
- -10.48%
- YTD
- -18.45%
- 6M
- -25.27%
- 1Y
- -15.69%
- 3Y*
- -12.07%
- 5Y*
- -16.45%
- 10Y*
- —
IBB
- 1D
- 4.32%
- 1M
- -3.65%
- YTD
- 0.12%
- 6M
- 17.17%
- 1Y
- 32.33%
- 3Y*
- 9.65%
- 5Y*
- 2.46%
- 10Y*
- 6.84%
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HEAL vs. IBB - Expense Ratio Comparison
HEAL has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than IBB's 0.47% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
HEAL vs. IBB — Risk / Return Rank
HEAL
IBB
HEAL vs. IBB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X HealthTech ETF (HEAL) 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.
| HEAL | IBB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.64 | 1.35 | -1.99 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.81 | 1.91 | -2.72 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.91 | 1.25 | -0.34 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.49 | 2.41 | -2.90 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -1.38 | 8.61 | -10.00 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| HEAL | IBB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.64 | 1.35 | -1.99 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.63 | 0.11 | -0.74 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.29 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | -0.42 | 0.26 | -0.68 |
Correlation
The correlation between HEAL and IBB is 0.71, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Dividends
HEAL vs. IBB - Dividend Comparison
HEAL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.40%, more than IBB's 0.23% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HEAL Global X HealthTech ETF | 0.40% | 0.33% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.03% | 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% |
Drawdowns
HEAL vs. IBB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum HEAL drawdown since its inception was -65.76%, roughly equal to the maximum IBB drawdown of -62.85%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HEAL and IBB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| HEAL | IBB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -65.76% | -62.85% | -2.91% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -30.71% | -11.65% | -19.06% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -61.76% | -39.82% | -21.94% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -39.82% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -64.79% | -4.88% | -59.91% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -42.40% | -21.30% | -21.10% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 10.89% | 3.47% | +7.42% |
Volatility
HEAL vs. IBB - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Global X HealthTech ETF (HEAL) is 7.53%, while iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBB) has a volatility of 8.62%. This indicates that HEAL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IBB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| HEAL | IBB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.53% | 8.62% | -1.09% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 16.50% | 14.53% | +1.97% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 24.65% | 24.08% | +0.57% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 26.35% | 21.87% | +4.48% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 26.33% | 23.37% | +2.96% |