HEAL vs. IHE
HEAL (Global X HealthTech ETF) and IHE (iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds - HEAL tracks the Global X HealthTech Index while IHE tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Select Pharmaceuticals Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, HEAL returned -12.95%/yr vs 11.16%/yr for IHE. Their 0.46 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. HEAL charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for IHE.
Performance
HEAL vs. IHE - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, HEAL achieves a -5.19% return, which is significantly lower than IHE's 19.36% return.
HEAL
- 1D
- 2.94%
- 1M
- -4.37%
- 6M
- -2.05%
- YTD
- -5.19%
- 1Y
- -10.31%
- 3Y*
- -6.93%
- 5Y*
- -12.95%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- -9.16%
IHE
- 1D
- -0.98%
- 1M
- -0.34%
- 6M
- 15.00%
- YTD
- 19.36%
- 1Y
- 53.32%
- 3Y*
- 20.74%
- 5Y*
- 11.16%
- 10Y*
- 8.45%
- ALL TIME*
- 10.88%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $260.96K | $227.88K | $213.27K | |
| $35.28M | $36.00M | $20.48M |
HEAL vs. IHE - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HEAL Global X HealthTech ETF | -5.19% | -0.62% | -2.87% | -12.61% | -29.99% | -14.21% | 16.89% |
IHE iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF | 19.36% | 31.69% | 8.13% | 1.06% | -4.87% | 13.07% | 14.00% |
Correlation
The correlation between HEAL and IHE is 0.35, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.35 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.39 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.46 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 30, 2020 | 0.46 |
The correlation between HEAL and IHE shifts across timeframes, from 0.35 (1 year) to 0.46 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
HEAL vs. IHE - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
HEAL
IHE
Healthcare
Technology
-
Basic Materials
-
-
Communication Services
-
-
Consumer Cyclical
-
-
Consumer Defensive
-
-
Energy
-
-
Financial Services
-
-
Industrials
-
-
Real Estate
-
-
Utilities
-
-
Healthcare
HEAL
IHE
Technology
HEAL
IHE
-
Basic Materials
HEAL
-
IHE
-
Communication Services
HEAL
-
IHE
-
Consumer Cyclical
HEAL
-
IHE
-
Consumer Defensive
HEAL
-
IHE
-
Energy
HEAL
-
IHE
-
Financial Services
HEAL
-
IHE
-
Industrials
HEAL
-
IHE
-
Real Estate
HEAL
-
IHE
-
Utilities
HEAL
-
IHE
-
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
HEAL vs. IHE — Risk / Return Rank
HEAL
IHE
HEAL vs. IHE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X HealthTech ETF (HEAL) 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.
| HEAL | IHE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -3.46 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -4.90 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.94 | 1.50 | -0.56 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.34 | 6.33 | -6.66 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.61 | 19.45 | -20.06 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
HEAL vs. IHE - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum HEAL drawdown since its inception was -65.76%, which is greater than IHE's maximum drawdown of -38.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HEAL and IHE.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| HEAL | IHE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -65.76% | -38.20% | -27.56% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -30.71% | -8.47% | -22.24% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -34.56% | -15.92% | -18.64% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -59.14% | -16.03% | -43.11% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -29.59% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -59.07% | -3.21% | -55.86% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -43.49% | -7.86% | -35.63% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 16.90% | 2.75% | +14.15% |
Volatility
HEAL vs. IHE - Volatility Comparison
Global X HealthTech ETF (HEAL) has a higher volatility of 6.91% compared to iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF (IHE) at 5.84%. This indicates that HEAL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IHE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| HEAL | IHE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.91% | 5.84% | +1.07% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 17.44% | 14.00% | +3.44% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 22.91% | 17.83% | +5.08% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 26.67% | 16.52% | +10.15% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 26.27% | 18.08% | +8.19% |
HEAL vs. IHE - Expense Ratio Comparison
HEAL has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than IHE's 0.38% expense ratio.
Dividends
HEAL vs. IHE - Dividend Comparison
HEAL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.26%, less than IHE's 1.46% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HEAL Global X HealthTech ETF | 0.26% | 0.33% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.03% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
IHE iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF | 1.46% | 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
HEAL and IHE have a correlation of 0.35, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
HEAL has higher volatility (6.91%) compared to IHE (5.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HEAL dropped -65.76% vs IHE's -38.20%.
On 5-year performance, IHE leads with 11.16% vs -12.95% for HEAL. On fees, IHE is cheaper at 0.38% per year. On volatility, IHE has been the lower-risk option at 5.84%. 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 11.16% return vs -12.95%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IHE is cheaper with a 0.38% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for HEAL.
IHE has the higher dividend yield at 1.46%, compared with 0.26% for HEAL.
HEAL tracks Global X HealthTech Index, while IHE tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Pharmaceuticals Index. They also come from different issuers: Global X and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for HEAL and 0.38% for IHE.
IHE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.01 vs -0.45), 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.
Find the right allocation for HEAL and IHE
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer