IBB vs. IBIT
IBB (iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF) and IBIT (iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IBB is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index, while IBIT is a Cryptocurrency fund tracking the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, IBB returned 42.90% vs -39.82% for IBIT. At a 0.29 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IBB charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IBIT.
Performance
IBB vs. IBIT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IBB achieves a 5.61% return, which is significantly higher than IBIT's -28.88% return.
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%
IBIT
- 1D
- -3.26%
- 1M
- -17.81%
- YTD
- -28.88%
- 6M
- -28.88%
- 1Y
- -39.82%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
IBB vs. IBIT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
IBB iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF | 5.61% | 27.98% | -3.90% |
IBIT iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF | -28.88% | -6.41% | 89.87% |
Correlation
The correlation between IBB and IBIT is 0.31, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.31 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 11, 2024 | 0.29 |
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Return for Risk
IBB vs. IBIT — Risk / Return Rank
IBB
IBIT
IBB vs. IBIT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBB) and iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT). 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 | IBIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +3.02 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +4.22 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.35 | 0.86 | +0.49 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 4.47 | -0.77 | +5.24 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 13.77 | -1.30 | +15.07 |
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Drawdowns
IBB vs. IBIT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IBB drawdown since its inception was -62.85%, which is greater than IBIT's maximum drawdown of -52.11%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IBB and IBIT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IBB | IBIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -62.85% | -52.11% | -10.74% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.63% | -52.11% | +42.48% |
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% | -50.47% | +50.47% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -21.14% | -16.85% | -4.29% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.12% | 30.58% | -27.46% |
Volatility
IBB vs. IBIT - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBB) is 6.95%, while iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) has a volatility of 13.18%. This indicates that IBB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IBIT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| IBB | IBIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.95% | 13.18% | -6.23% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 15.98% | 34.64% | -18.66% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 20.34% | 44.31% | -23.97% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 22.03% | 50.22% | -28.19% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 23.17% | 50.22% | -27.05% |
IBB vs. IBIT - Expense Ratio Comparison
IBB has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is higher than IBIT's 0.25% expense ratio.
Dividends
IBB vs. IBIT - Dividend Comparison
IBB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.23%, while IBIT has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
IBIT iShares Bitcoin Trust 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% |
Frequently Asked Questions
IBB and IBIT have a correlation of 0.31, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IBIT has higher volatility (13.18%) compared to IBB (6.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IBB dropped -62.85% vs IBIT's -52.11%.
On 1-year performance, IBB leads with 42.90% vs -39.82% for IBIT. On fees, IBIT is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, IBB has been the lower-risk option at 6.95%. 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 -39.82%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IBIT is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.47% for IBB.
IBB has the higher dividend yield at 0.23%, compared with 0.00% for IBIT.
IBB is categorized as Health & Biotech Equities, while IBIT is Cryptocurrency. IBB tracks NASDAQ Biotechnology Index, while IBIT tracks CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for IBB and 0.25% for IBIT.
IBB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.12 vs -0.90), 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.
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