HTEC vs. MDEV

Last updated Jul 8, 2026

HTEC (ROBO Global Healthcare Technology and Innovation ETF) and MDEV (First Trust Indxx Medical Devices ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds - HTEC tracks the ROBO Global® Healthcare Technology and Innovation Index while MDEV tracks the Indxx Global Medical Equipment Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, HTEC returned -3.79%/yr vs -5.00%/yr for MDEV. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. HTEC charges 0.68%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for MDEV.

Performance

HTEC vs. MDEV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ROBO Global Healthcare Technology and Innovation ETF (HTEC) and First Trust Indxx Medical Devices ETF (MDEV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HTEC achieves a 9.51% return, which is significantly higher than MDEV's -5.22% return.

HTEC

• 1D: -0.64%
• 1M: 11.41%
• 6M: 3.53%
• YTD: 9.51%
• 1Y: 38.41%
• 3Y*: 10.10%
• 5Y*: -3.79%
• 10Y*: —

MDEV

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: 5.56%
• 6M: -8.84%
• YTD: -5.22%
• 1Y: -1.81%
• 3Y*: -0.69%
• 5Y*: -5.00%
• 10Y*: —

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

HTEC vs. MDEV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
HTEC ROBO Global Healthcare Technology and Innovation ETF	9.51%	23.91%	2.68%	-2.94%	-33.72%	-7.72%
MDEV First Trust Indxx Medical Devices ETF	-5.22%	2.00%	1.79%	7.55%	-28.59%	3.83%

Correlation

The correlation between HTEC and MDEV is 0.84, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 23, 2021	0.87

The correlation between HTEC and MDEV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

HTEC vs. MDEV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

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

Return for Risk

HTEC vs. MDEV — Risk / Return Rank

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

HTEC

HTEC Risk / Return Rank: 58
HTEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
HTEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
HTEC Omega Ratio Rank: 57
HTEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
HTEC Martin Ratio Rank: 41

MDEV

MDEV Risk / Return Rank: 8
MDEV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
MDEV Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
MDEV Omega Ratio Rank: 7
MDEV Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
MDEV Martin Ratio Rank: 8

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. MDEV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ROBO Global Healthcare Technology and Innovation ETF (HTEC) and First Trust Indxx Medical Devices ETF (MDEV). 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.

	HTEC	MDEV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.79	-0.11	+1.90
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.64	-0.04	+2.68
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.00	+0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.37	-0.10	+2.47
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.64	-0.22	+5.87

HTEC vs. MDEV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HTEC Sharpe Ratio is 1.79, which is higher than the MDEV Sharpe Ratio of -0.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HTEC and MDEV, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

HTEC vs. MDEV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HTEC drawdown since its inception was -57.53%, which is greater than MDEV's maximum drawdown of -42.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HTEC and MDEV.

Drawdown Indicators

	HTEC	MDEV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-57.53%	-42.34%	-15.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.31%	-18.13%	+1.82%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.67%	-22.50%	-6.17%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-56.10%	-42.34%	-13.76%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-24.67%	-29.07%	+4.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-28.98%	-25.74%	-3.24%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.82%	8.14%	-1.32%

Volatility

HTEC vs. MDEV - Volatility Comparison

ROBO Global Healthcare Technology and Innovation ETF (HTEC) has a higher volatility of 7.51% compared to First Trust Indxx Medical Devices ETF (MDEV) at 5.01%. This indicates that HTEC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MDEV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HTEC	MDEV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.51%	5.01%	+2.50%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.73%	12.44%	+4.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.68%	16.53%	+5.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.65%	19.03%	+5.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.50%	18.97%	+6.53%

HTEC vs. MDEV - Expense Ratio Comparison

HTEC has a 0.68% expense ratio, which is lower than MDEV's 0.70% expense ratio.

Dividends

HTEC vs. MDEV - Dividend Comparison

HTEC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.90%, more than MDEV's 0.11% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
HTEC ROBO Global Healthcare Technology and Innovation ETF	0.90%	0.98%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.05%
MDEV First Trust Indxx Medical Devices ETF	0.11%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HTEC and MDEV in my portfolio?

HTEC and MDEV have a correlation of 0.84, 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 MDEV?

HTEC has higher volatility (7.51%) compared to MDEV (5.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HTEC dropped -57.53% vs MDEV's -42.34%.

Which ETF is better, HTEC or MDEV?

On 5-year performance, HTEC leads with -3.79% vs -5.00% for MDEV. On fees, HTEC is cheaper at 0.68% per year. On volatility, MDEV has been the lower-risk option at 5.01%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HTEC or MDEV?

Over the 5-year period, HTEC has performed better with a -3.79% return vs -5.00%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HTEC or MDEV?

HTEC is cheaper with a 0.68% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for MDEV.

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

HTEC has the higher dividend yield at 0.90%, compared with 0.11% for MDEV.

What is the main difference between HTEC and MDEV?

HTEC tracks ROBO Global® Healthcare Technology and Innovation Index, while MDEV tracks Indxx Global Medical Equipment Index. They also come from different issuers: Exchange Traded Concepts and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.68% for HTEC and 0.70% for MDEV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HTEC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.79 vs -0.11), 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.