HELX vs. VABS
HELX (Franklin Genomic Advancements ETF) and VABS (Virtus Newfleet ABS/MBS ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HELX is a Health & Biotech Equities fund actively managed by Franklin Templeton, while VABS is a Mortgage Backed Securities fund actively managed by Virtus Investment Partners. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, HELX returned -3.93%/yr vs 3.22%/yr for VABS. At a 0.11 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. HELX charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for VABS.
Performance
HELX vs. VABS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, HELX achieves a -1.55% return, which is significantly lower than VABS's 1.40% return.
HELX
- 1D
- 3.11%
- 1M
- 5.81%
- YTD
- -1.55%
- 6M
- -4.90%
- 1Y
- 33.84%
- 3Y*
- 5.75%
- 5Y*
- -3.93%
- 10Y*
- —
VABS
- 1D
- 0.01%
- 1M
- 0.28%
- YTD
- 1.40%
- 6M
- 1.70%
- 1Y
- 4.02%
- 3Y*
- 6.26%
- 5Y*
- 3.22%
- 10Y*
- —
HELX vs. VABS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HELX Franklin Genomic Advancements ETF | -1.55% | 26.34% | -5.32% | 1.14% | -37.89% | -6.03% |
VABS Virtus Newfleet ABS/MBS ETF | 1.40% | 5.40% | 7.59% | 7.61% | -5.24% | 0.45% |
Correlation
The correlation between HELX and VABS is 0.13, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.13 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.16 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.11 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 11, 2021 | 0.11 |
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Return for Risk
HELX vs. VABS — Risk / Return Rank
HELX
VABS
HELX vs. VABS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin Genomic Advancements ETF (HELX) and Virtus Newfleet ABS/MBS ETF (VABS). 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.
| HELX | VABS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.38 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.40 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.28 | 1.44 | -0.16 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.89 | 4.10 | -2.21 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.88 | 10.57 | -5.69 |
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
| HELX | VABS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.61 | 1.99 | -0.38 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.16 | 1.41 | -1.57 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.25 | 1.40 | -1.16 |
Drawdowns
HELX vs. VABS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum HELX drawdown since its inception was -58.75%, which is greater than VABS's maximum drawdown of -7.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HELX and VABS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| HELX | VABS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -58.75% | -7.12% | -51.63% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -18.01% | -0.98% | -17.03% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -29.48% | -1.42% | -28.06% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -58.75% | -7.12% | -51.63% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -38.22% | -0.13% | -38.09% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -34.32% | -1.42% | -32.90% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 6.95% | 0.38% | +6.57% |
Volatility
HELX vs. VABS - Volatility Comparison
Franklin Genomic Advancements ETF (HELX) has a higher volatility of 7.45% compared to Virtus Newfleet ABS/MBS ETF (VABS) at 0.40%. This indicates that HELX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VABS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| HELX | VABS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.45% | 0.40% | +7.05% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 16.47% | 1.07% | +15.40% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 21.07% | 2.04% | +19.03% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 24.15% | 2.30% | +21.85% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 27.41% | 2.24% | +25.17% |
HELX vs. VABS - Expense Ratio Comparison
HELX has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than VABS's 0.39% expense ratio.
Dividends
HELX vs. VABS - Dividend Comparison
HELX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.40%, less than VABS's 5.18% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HELX Franklin Genomic Advancements ETF | 0.40% | 0.39% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.24% | 0.12% |
VABS Virtus Newfleet ABS/MBS ETF | 5.18% | 4.94% | 5.05% | 4.13% | 2.47% | 1.47% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
HELX and VABS have a correlation of 0.13, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
HELX has higher volatility (7.45%) compared to VABS (0.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HELX dropped -58.75% vs VABS's -7.12%.
On 5-year performance, VABS leads with 3.22% vs -3.93% for HELX. On fees, VABS is cheaper at 0.39% per year. On volatility, VABS has been the lower-risk option at 0.40%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, VABS has performed better with a 3.22% return vs -3.93%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VABS is cheaper with a 0.39% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for HELX.
VABS has the higher dividend yield at 5.18%, compared with 0.40% for HELX.
HELX is categorized as Health & Biotech Equities, while VABS is Mortgage Backed Securities. They also come from different issuers: Franklin Templeton and Virtus Investment Partners. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for HELX and 0.39% for VABS.
VABS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.99 vs 1.61), 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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