HELX vs. XLV

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

HELX (Franklin Genomic Advancements ETF) and XLV (State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds. HELX is actively managed, while XLV is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, HELX returned -4.45%/yr vs 6.32%/yr for XLV. A 0.62 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. HELX charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLV.

Performance

HELX vs. XLV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Franklin Genomic Advancements ETF (HELX) and State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HELX achieves a -4.15% return, which is significantly lower than XLV's -0.75% return.

HELX

• 1D: -2.64%
• 1M: 0.97%
• YTD: -4.15%
• 6M: -6.12%
• 1Y: 31.33%
• 3Y*: 4.41%
• 5Y*: -4.45%
• 10Y*: —

XLV

• 1D: 0.61%
• 1M: 5.23%
• YTD: -0.75%
• 6M: 0.67%
• 1Y: 17.00%
• 3Y*: 7.44%
• 5Y*: 6.32%
• 10Y*: 9.61%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

HELX vs. XLV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
HELX Franklin Genomic Advancements ETF	-4.15%	26.34%	-5.32%	1.14%	-37.89%	9.80%	85.05%
XLV State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF	-0.75%	14.50%	2.47%	2.07%	-2.08%	26.04%	23.00%

Correlation

The correlation between HELX and XLV is 0.62, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.62
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.65
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 28, 2020	0.62

The correlation between HELX and XLV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.62 to 0.67 - a consistent structural relationship.

HELX vs. XLV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	HELX	XLV
Healthcare	96.5%	100.0%
Basic Materials	2.7%	-
Technology	0.9%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

HELX vs. XLV — Risk / Return Rank

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

HELX

HELX Risk / Return Rank: 41
HELX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
HELX Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
HELX Omega Ratio Rank: 42
HELX Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
HELX Martin Ratio Rank: 32

XLV

XLV Risk / Return Rank: 32
XLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
XLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
XLV Omega Ratio Rank: 31
XLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
XLV Martin Ratio Rank: 28

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.

HELX vs. XLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin Genomic Advancements ETF (HELX) and State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV). 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	XLV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.48	1.14	+0.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.15	1.80	+0.34
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.20	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.75	1.63	+0.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.51	3.92	+0.58
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HELX vs. XLV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HELX Sharpe Ratio is 1.48, which is higher than the XLV Sharpe Ratio of 1.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HELX and XLV, 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

	HELX	XLV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.48	1.14	+0.34
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.18	0.43	-0.61
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.58	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.23	0.46	-0.24

Drawdowns

HELX vs. XLV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HELX drawdown since its inception was -58.75%, which is greater than XLV's maximum drawdown of -39.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HELX and XLV.

Drawdown Indicators

	HELX	XLV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.75%	-39.17%	-19.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.01%	-10.47%	-7.54%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.48%	-17.11%	-12.37%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-58.75%	-17.11%	-41.64%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-28.40%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-39.86%	-4.10%	-35.76%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-34.32%	-7.12%	-27.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.97%	4.34%	+2.63%

Volatility

HELX vs. XLV - Volatility Comparison

Franklin Genomic Advancements ETF (HELX) has a higher volatility of 7.78% compared to State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) at 5.05%. This indicates that HELX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HELX	XLV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.78%	5.05%	+2.73%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.67%	10.68%	+5.99%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.23%	14.98%	+6.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.17%	14.75%	+9.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.42%	16.57%	+10.85%

HELX vs. XLV - Expense Ratio Comparison

HELX has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than XLV's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

HELX vs. XLV - Dividend Comparison

HELX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.41%, less than XLV's 1.64% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HELX Franklin Genomic Advancements ETF	0.41%	0.39%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.24%	0.12%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XLV State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF	1.64%	1.60%	1.67%	1.59%	1.47%	1.33%	1.49%	2.17%	1.57%	1.47%	1.60%	1.43%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HELX and XLV in my portfolio?

HELX and XLV have a correlation of 0.62, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HELX or XLV?

HELX has higher volatility (7.78%) compared to XLV (5.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HELX dropped -58.75% vs XLV's -39.17%.

Which ETF is better, HELX or XLV?

On 5-year performance, XLV leads with 6.32% vs -4.45% for HELX. On fees, XLV is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLV has been the lower-risk option at 5.05%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HELX or XLV?

Over the 5-year period, XLV has performed better with a 6.32% return vs -4.45%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HELX or XLV?

XLV is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for HELX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, HELX or XLV?

XLV has the higher dividend yield at 1.64%, compared with 0.41% for HELX.

What is the main difference between HELX and XLV?

They also come from different issuers: Franklin Templeton and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for HELX and 0.08% for XLV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HELX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.48 vs 1.14), 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.