IBB vs. IHE

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IBB (iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF) and IHE (iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds from iShares - IBB tracks the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index while IHE tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Select Pharmaceuticals Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IBB returned 6.23%/yr vs 7.81%/yr for IHE. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IBB charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.42%/yr for IHE.

Performance

IBB vs. IHE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBB) and iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF (IHE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IBB achieves a -0.68% return, which is significantly lower than IHE's 6.47% return. Over the past 10 years, IBB has underperformed IHE with an annualized return of 6.23%, while IHE has yielded a comparatively higher 7.81% annualized return.

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%

IHE

• 1D: 1.16%
• 1M: 1.80%
• YTD: 6.47%
• 6M: 8.51%
• 1Y: 40.15%
• 3Y*: 17.47%
• 5Y*: 9.98%
• 10Y*: 7.81%

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

IBB vs. IHE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IBB iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF	-0.68%	27.98%	-2.41%	3.76%	-13.69%	0.95%	26.01%	25.42%	-9.53%	21.08%
IHE iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF	6.47%	31.69%	8.13%	1.06%	-4.87%	13.07%	13.66%	15.47%	-7.76%	10.64%

Correlation

The correlation between IBB and IHE is 0.78, 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	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.71
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 8, 2006	0.79

The correlation between IBB and IHE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

IBB vs. IHE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

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

Return for Risk

IBB vs. IHE — 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

IHE

IHE Risk / Return Rank: 74
IHE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
IHE Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
IHE Omega Ratio Rank: 65
IHE Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
IHE Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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. IHE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBB) and iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF (IHE). 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	IHE	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.74	2.36	-0.62
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.50	3.43	-0.93
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.40	-0.10
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.60	4.76	-1.16
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.43	14.35	-2.92
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IBB vs. IHE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IBB Sharpe Ratio is 1.74, which is comparable to the IHE Sharpe Ratio of 2.36. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IBB and IHE, 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

	IBB	IHE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.74	2.36	-0.62
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.10	0.62	-0.52
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.27	0.43	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.26	0.51	-0.25

Drawdowns

IBB vs. IHE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IBB drawdown since its inception was -62.85%, which is greater than IHE's maximum drawdown of -38.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IBB and IHE.

Drawdown Indicators

	IBB	IHE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.85%	-38.20%	-24.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.63%	-8.47%	-1.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.85%	-15.92%	-8.93%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-39.82%	-16.03%	-23.79%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.82%	-29.59%	-10.23%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.64%	-2.80%	-2.84%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.18%	-7.92%	-13.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.03%	2.81%	+0.22%

Volatility

IBB vs. IHE - Volatility Comparison

iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBB) has a higher volatility of 6.86% compared to iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF (IHE) at 5.53%. This indicates that IBB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IHE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IBB	IHE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.86%	5.53%	+1.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.38%	12.48%	+2.90%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.89%	17.07%	+2.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.99%	16.24%	+5.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.22%	18.05%	+5.17%

IBB vs. IHE - Expense Ratio Comparison

IBB has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is higher than IHE's 0.42% expense ratio.

Dividends

IBB vs. IHE - Dividend Comparison

IBB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.23%, less than IHE's 1.65% yield.

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%
IHE iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF	1.65%	1.76%	1.73%	1.39%	2.01%	1.49%	1.19%	1.40%	1.25%	1.36%	0.92%	1.93%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IBB and IHE in my portfolio?

IBB and IHE have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IBB or IHE?

IBB has higher volatility (6.86%) compared to IHE (5.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IBB dropped -62.85% vs IHE's -38.20%.

Which ETF is better, IBB or IHE?

On 10-year performance, IHE leads with 7.81% vs 6.23% for IBB. On fees, IHE is cheaper at 0.42% per year. On volatility, IHE has been the lower-risk option at 5.53%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IBB or IHE?

Over the 10-year period, IHE has performed better with a 7.81% return vs 6.23%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IBB or IHE?

IHE is cheaper with a 0.42% expense ratio, compared with 0.47% for IBB.

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

IHE has the higher dividend yield at 1.65%, compared with 0.23% for IBB.

What is the main difference between IBB and IHE?

IBB tracks NASDAQ Biotechnology Index, while IHE tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Pharmaceuticals Index. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for IBB and 0.42% for IHE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IHE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.36 vs 1.74), 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.