IBB vs. GERM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IBB (iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF) and GERM (Amplify Treatments, Testing and Advancements ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds - IBB tracks the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index while GERM tracks the Prime Treatments, Testing and Advancements Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, IBB returned 34.50% vs 0.00% for GERM. IBB charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.68%/yr for GERM.

Performance

IBB vs. GERM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBB) and Amplify Treatments, Testing and Advancements ETF (GERM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

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%

GERM

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• YTD: 0.00%
• 6M: 0.00%
• 1Y: 0.00%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

IBB vs. GERM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
IBB iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF	-0.68%	27.98%	-7.21%
GERM Amplify Treatments, Testing and Advancements ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

IBB vs. GERM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IBB	GERM
Healthcare	100.0%	99.3%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	0.4%
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

IBB vs. GERM — Risk / Return Rank

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

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.

IBB vs. GERM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBB) and Amplify Treatments, Testing and Advancements ETF (GERM). 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.

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

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	IBB	GERM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.74	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.10	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.27	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.26	—	—

Drawdowns

IBB vs. GERM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IBB drawdown since its inception was -62.85%, which is greater than GERM's maximum drawdown of 0.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IBB and GERM.

Drawdown Indicators

	IBB	GERM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.85%	0.00%	-62.85%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.63%	0.00%	-9.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.85%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-39.82%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.82%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.64%	0.00%	-5.64%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.18%	0.00%	-21.18%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.03%	0.00%	+3.03%

Volatility

IBB vs. GERM - Volatility Comparison

iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBB) has a higher volatility of 6.86% compared to Amplify Treatments, Testing and Advancements ETF (GERM) at 0.00%. This indicates that IBB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GERM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IBB	GERM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.86%	0.00%	+6.86%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.38%	0.00%	+15.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.89%	0.00%	+19.89%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.99%	0.00%	+21.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.22%	0.00%	+23.22%

IBB vs. GERM - Expense Ratio Comparison

IBB has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is lower than GERM's 0.68% expense ratio.

Dividends

IBB vs. GERM - Dividend Comparison

IBB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.23%, while GERM has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GERM Amplify Treatments, Testing and Advancements ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	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

Which is riskier, IBB or GERM?

IBB has higher volatility (6.86%) compared to GERM (0.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IBB dropped -62.85% vs GERM's 0.00%.

Which ETF is better, IBB or GERM?

On 1-year performance, IBB leads with 34.50% vs 0.00% for GERM. On fees, IBB is cheaper at 0.47% per year. On volatility, GERM has been the lower-risk option at 0.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IBB or GERM?

Over the 1-year period, IBB has performed better with a 34.50% return vs 0.00%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IBB or GERM?

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

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

IBB has the higher dividend yield at 0.23%, compared with 0.00% for GERM.

What is the main difference between IBB and GERM?

IBB tracks NASDAQ Biotechnology Index, while GERM tracks Prime Treatments, Testing and Advancements Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Amplify. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for IBB and 0.68% for GERM.