HEAL vs. IXJ
HEAL (Global X HealthTech ETF) and IXJ (iShares Global Healthcare ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds - HEAL tracks the Global X HealthTech Index while IXJ tracks the S&P Global 1200 Health Care (Sector) Capped Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, HEAL returned -12.95%/yr vs 4.23%/yr for IXJ. Their 0.54 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. HEAL charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for IXJ.
Performance
HEAL vs. IXJ - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, HEAL achieves a -5.19% return, which is significantly lower than IXJ's 3.49% 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%
IXJ
- 1D
- -0.35%
- 1M
- -1.61%
- 6M
- 1.49%
- YTD
- 3.49%
- 1Y
- 21.35%
- 3Y*
- 7.34%
- 5Y*
- 4.23%
- 10Y*
- 8.26%
- ALL TIME*
- 7.35%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $260.96K | $227.88K | $213.27K | |
| $16.58M | $16.48M | $23.76M |
HEAL vs. IXJ - 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% |
IXJ iShares Global Healthcare ETF | 3.49% | 14.99% | 0.55% | 3.62% | -4.94% | 19.60% | 5.85% |
Correlation
The correlation between HEAL and IXJ is 0.50, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.50 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.47 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.54 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 30, 2020 | 0.54 |
The correlation between HEAL and IXJ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.47 to 0.54 - a consistent structural relationship.
HEAL vs. IXJ - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
HEAL
IXJ
Healthcare
Technology
Basic Materials
-
-
Communication Services
-
-
Consumer Cyclical
-
-
Consumer Defensive
-
Energy
-
-
Financial Services
-
-
Industrials
-
-
Real Estate
-
-
Utilities
-
-
Healthcare
HEAL
IXJ
Technology
HEAL
IXJ
Basic Materials
HEAL
-
IXJ
-
Communication Services
HEAL
-
IXJ
-
Consumer Cyclical
HEAL
-
IXJ
-
Consumer Defensive
HEAL
-
IXJ
Energy
HEAL
-
IXJ
-
Financial Services
HEAL
-
IXJ
-
Industrials
HEAL
-
IXJ
-
Real Estate
HEAL
-
IXJ
-
Utilities
HEAL
-
IXJ
-
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Return for Risk
HEAL vs. IXJ — Risk / Return Rank
HEAL
IXJ
HEAL vs. IXJ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X HealthTech ETF (HEAL) and iShares Global Healthcare ETF (IXJ). 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 | IXJ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.87 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.78 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.94 | 1.25 | -0.31 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.34 | 1.99 | -2.33 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.61 | 4.73 | -5.34 |
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Drawdowns
HEAL vs. IXJ - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum HEAL drawdown since its inception was -65.76%, which is greater than IXJ's maximum drawdown of -40.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HEAL and IXJ.
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Drawdown Indicators
| HEAL | IXJ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -65.76% | -40.60% | -25.16% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -30.71% | -10.78% | -19.93% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -34.56% | -18.14% | -16.42% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -59.14% | -18.14% | -41.00% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -27.35% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -59.07% | -2.86% | -56.21% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -43.49% | -6.90% | -36.59% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 16.90% | 4.52% | +12.38% |
Volatility
HEAL vs. IXJ - Volatility Comparison
Global X HealthTech ETF (HEAL) has a higher volatility of 6.91% compared to iShares Global Healthcare ETF (IXJ) at 4.83%. This indicates that HEAL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IXJ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| HEAL | IXJ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.91% | 4.83% | +2.08% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 17.44% | 11.61% | +5.83% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 22.91% | 15.12% | +7.79% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 26.67% | 14.49% | +12.18% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 26.27% | 15.75% | +10.52% |
HEAL vs. IXJ - Expense Ratio Comparison
HEAL has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than IXJ's 0.40% expense ratio.
Dividends
HEAL vs. IXJ - Dividend Comparison
HEAL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.26%, less than IXJ's 1.45% 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% |
IXJ iShares Global Healthcare ETF | 1.45% | 1.40% | 1.50% | 1.38% | 1.17% | 1.12% | 1.27% | 1.42% | 2.11% | 1.46% | 1.73% | 2.85% |
Frequently Asked Questions
HEAL and IXJ have a correlation of 0.50, 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 IXJ (4.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HEAL dropped -65.76% vs IXJ's -40.60%.
On 5-year performance, IXJ leads with 4.23% vs -12.95% for HEAL. On fees, IXJ is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, IXJ has been the lower-risk option at 4.83%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, IXJ has performed better with a 4.23% return vs -12.95%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IXJ is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for HEAL.
IXJ has the higher dividend yield at 1.45%, compared with 0.26% for HEAL.
HEAL tracks Global X HealthTech Index, while IXJ tracks S&P Global 1200 Health Care (Sector) Capped Index. They also come from different issuers: Global X and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for HEAL and 0.40% for IXJ.
IXJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.42 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.
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