HTEC vs. IBB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

HTEC (ROBO Global Healthcare Technology and Innovation ETF) and IBB (iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds - HTEC tracks the ROBO Global® Healthcare Technology and Innovation Index while IBB tracks the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, HTEC returned -4.88%/yr vs 2.10%/yr for IBB. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. HTEC charges 0.68%/yr vs 0.47%/yr for IBB.

Performance

HTEC vs. IBB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ROBO Global Healthcare Technology and Innovation ETF (HTEC) and iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HTEC achieves a -2.96% return, which is significantly lower than IBB's -0.68% return.

HTEC

• 1D: 0.67%
• 1M: 3.12%
• YTD: -2.96%
• 6M: -3.90%
• 1Y: 26.68%
• 3Y*: 5.17%
• 5Y*: -4.88%
• 10Y*: —

IBB

• 1D: 1.97%
• 1M: -1.56%
• YTD: -0.68%
• 6M: -2.57%
• 1Y: 34.50%
• 3Y*: 9.40%
• 5Y*: 2.10%
• 10Y*: 6.23%

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

HTEC vs. IBB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
HTEC ROBO Global Healthcare Technology and Innovation ETF	-2.96%	23.91%	2.68%	-2.94%	-33.72%	-0.28%	65.01%	9.34%
IBB iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF	-0.68%	27.98%	-2.41%	3.76%	-13.69%	0.95%	26.01%	12.93%

Correlation

The correlation between HTEC and IBB is 0.74, 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	0.74
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2019	0.84

The correlation between HTEC and IBB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

HTEC vs. IBB - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	HTEC	IBB
Healthcare	77.3%	100.0%
Financial Services	3.9%	-
Technology	3.7%	-
Industrials	1.3%	-
Energy	1.2%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

HTEC vs. IBB — Risk / Return Rank

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

HTEC

HTEC Risk / Return Rank: 34
HTEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
HTEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
HTEC Omega Ratio Rank: 33
HTEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
HTEC Martin Ratio Rank: 29

IBB

IBB Risk / Return Rank: 56
IBB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
IBB Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
IBB Omega Ratio Rank: 46
IBB Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
IBB Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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.

HTEC vs. IBB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ROBO Global Healthcare Technology and Innovation ETF (HTEC) 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.

	HTEC	IBB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.32	1.74	-0.42
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.99	2.50	-0.52
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.30	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.64	3.60	-1.96
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.07	11.43	-7.35
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HTEC vs. IBB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HTEC Sharpe Ratio is 1.32, which is comparable to the IBB Sharpe Ratio of 1.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HTEC and IBB, 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

	HTEC	IBB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.32	1.74	-0.42
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.20	0.10	-0.30
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.27	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.21	0.26	-0.05

Drawdowns

HTEC vs. IBB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HTEC drawdown since its inception was -57.53%, smaller than the maximum IBB drawdown of -62.85%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HTEC and IBB.

Drawdown Indicators

	HTEC	IBB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-57.53%	-62.85%	+5.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.31%	-9.63%	-6.68%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.67%	-24.85%	-3.82%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-56.10%	-39.82%	-16.28%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-39.82%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-33.25%	-5.64%	-27.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-28.99%	-21.18%	-7.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.57%	3.03%	+3.54%

Volatility

HTEC vs. IBB - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ROBO Global Healthcare Technology and Innovation ETF (HTEC) is 5.82%, while iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBB) has a volatility of 6.86%. This indicates that HTEC 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.

Volatility by Period

	HTEC	IBB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.82%	6.86%	-1.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.90%	15.38%	-0.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.32%	19.89%	+0.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.39%	21.99%	+2.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.46%	23.22%	+2.24%

HTEC vs. IBB - Expense Ratio Comparison

HTEC has a 0.68% expense ratio, which is higher than IBB's 0.47% expense ratio.

Dividends

HTEC vs. IBB - Dividend Comparison

HTEC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.01%, more than IBB's 0.23% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HTEC ROBO Global Healthcare Technology and Innovation ETF	1.01%	0.98%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.05%	0.00%	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%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HTEC and IBB in my portfolio?

HTEC and IBB have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HTEC or IBB?

IBB has higher volatility (6.86%) compared to HTEC (5.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HTEC dropped -57.53% vs IBB's -62.85%.

Which ETF is better, HTEC or IBB?

On 5-year performance, IBB leads with 2.10% vs -4.88% for HTEC. On fees, IBB is cheaper at 0.47% per year. On volatility, HTEC has been the lower-risk option at 5.82%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HTEC or IBB?

Over the 5-year period, IBB has performed better with a 2.10% return vs -4.88%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HTEC or IBB?

IBB is cheaper with a 0.47% expense ratio, compared with 0.68% for HTEC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, HTEC or IBB?

HTEC has the higher dividend yield at 1.01%, compared with 0.23% for IBB.

What is the main difference between HTEC and IBB?

HTEC tracks ROBO Global® Healthcare Technology and Innovation Index, while IBB tracks NASDAQ Biotechnology Index. They also come from different issuers: Exchange Traded Concepts and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.68% for HTEC and 0.47% for IBB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IBB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.74 vs 1.32), 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.