IBB vs. GERM
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 42.90% vs 0.00% for GERM. IBB charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.68%/yr for GERM.
Performance
IBB vs. GERM - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
IBB
- 1D
- 0.62%
- 1M
- 5.52%
- YTD
- 5.61%
- 6M
- 3.57%
- 1Y
- 42.90%
- 3Y*
- 11.80%
- 5Y*
- 2.21%
- 10Y*
- 8.21%
GERM
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 0.00%
- YTD
- 0.00%
- 6M
- 0.00%
- 1Y
- 0.00%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
IBB vs. GERM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
IBB iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF | 5.61% | 27.98% | -8.52% |
GERM Amplify Treatments, Testing and Advancements ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
IBB vs. GERM - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
IBB
GERM
Healthcare
Basic Materials
-
-
Communication Services
-
-
Consumer Cyclical
-
-
Consumer Defensive
-
-
Energy
-
-
Financial Services
-
Industrials
-
-
Real Estate
-
-
Technology
-
-
Utilities
-
-
Healthcare
IBB
GERM
Basic Materials
IBB
-
GERM
-
Communication Services
IBB
-
GERM
-
Consumer Cyclical
IBB
-
GERM
-
Consumer Defensive
IBB
-
GERM
-
Energy
IBB
-
GERM
-
Financial Services
IBB
-
GERM
Industrials
IBB
-
GERM
-
Real Estate
IBB
-
GERM
-
Technology
IBB
-
GERM
-
Utilities
IBB
-
GERM
-
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Return for Risk
IBB vs. GERM — Risk / Return Rank
IBB
GERM
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
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.
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.
| IBB | GERM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.35 | — | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 4.47 | — | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 13.77 | — | — |
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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.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IBB | GERM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest 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 DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -21.14% | 0.00% | -21.14% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.12% | 0.00% | +3.12% |
Volatility
IBB vs. GERM - Volatility Comparison
iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBB) has a higher volatility of 6.95% 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.
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Volatility by Period
| IBB | GERM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.95% | 0.00% | +6.95% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 15.98% | 0.00% | +15.98% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 20.34% | 0.00% | +20.34% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 22.03% | 0.00% | +22.03% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 23.17% | 0.00% | +23.17% |
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
IBB has higher volatility (6.95%) compared to GERM (0.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IBB dropped -62.85% vs GERM's 0.00%.
On 1-year performance, IBB leads with 42.90% 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.
Over the 1-year period, IBB has performed better with a 42.90% return vs 0.00%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IBB is cheaper with a 0.47% expense ratio, compared with 0.68% for GERM.
IBB has the higher dividend yield at 0.23%, compared with 0.00% for 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.
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