PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
IBB vs. IYH
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IBB vs. IYH

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IBB (iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF) and IYH (iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds from iShares - IBB tracks the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index while IYH tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Health Care Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IBB returned 6.23%/yr vs 8.96%/yr for IYH. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IBB charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.43%/yr for IYH.

Performance

IBB vs. IYH - Performance Comparison

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

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IBB achieves a -0.68% return, which is significantly higher than IYH's -4.19% return. Over the past 10 years, IBB has underperformed IYH with an annualized return of 6.23%, while IYH has yielded a comparatively higher 8.96% 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%

IYH

1D
0.96%
1M
1.98%
YTD
-4.19%
6M
-4.54%
1Y
13.08%
3Y*
5.48%
5Y*
4.59%
10Y*
8.96%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IBB vs. IYH - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
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%
IYH
iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF		-4.19%13.16%2.99%2.14%-4.46%23.41%15.56%20.80%5.80%22.27%

Correlation

The correlation between IBB and IYH is 0.76, 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

0.76

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.74

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.75

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.77

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 13, 2001

0.78

The correlation between IBB and IYH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.

IBB vs. IYH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IBB
IYH

Healthcare

100.0%
100.0%

Basic Materials

-

-

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Energy

-

-

Financial Services

-

-

Industrials

-

-

Real Estate

-

-

Technology

-

-

Utilities

-

-

Healthcare

IBB
100.0%
IYH
100.0%

Basic Materials

IBB

-

IYH

-

Communication Services

IBB

-

IYH

-

Consumer Cyclical

IBB

-

IYH

-

Consumer Defensive

IBB

-

IYH

-

Energy

IBB

-

IYH

-

Financial Services

IBB

-

IYH

-

Industrials

IBB

-

IYH

-

Real Estate

IBB

-

IYH

-

Technology

IBB

-

IYH

-

Utilities

IBB

-

IYH

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF

iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF

Often compared with IBB:
IBB vs. XBIIBB vs. ARKGIBB vs. XLVIBB vs. IBBQIBB vs. BBHIBB vs. SPYIBB vs. FBIOX
Often compared with IYH:
IYH vs. VHTIYH vs. XLVIYH vs. SPYIYH vs. IYEIYH vs. IFRAIYH vs. BMEDIYH vs. MLPX

Return for Risk

IBB vs. IYH — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IBB
IBB Risk / Return Rank: 5656
Overall Rank
IBB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5050
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IBB Sortino Ratio Rank: 5050
Sortino Ratio Rank
IBB Omega Ratio Rank: 4646
Omega Ratio Rank
IBB Calmar Ratio Rank: 7171
Calmar Ratio Rank
IBB Martin Ratio Rank: 6262
Martin Ratio Rank
IYH
IYH Risk / Return Rank: 2525
Overall Rank
IYH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2525
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IYH Sortino Ratio Rank: 2626
Sortino Ratio Rank
IYH Omega Ratio Rank: 2323
Omega Ratio Rank
IYH Calmar Ratio Rank: 2626
Calmar Ratio Rank
IYH Martin Ratio Rank: 2323
Martin Ratio Rank
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. IYH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBB) and iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF (IYH). 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.

IBBIYHDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.74
0.89

+0.85

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.50
1.43

+1.08

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.30

1.16

+0.14

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.60

1.23

+2.36

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

11.43

2.97

+8.45

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. IYH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IBB Sharpe Ratio is 1.74, which is higher than the IYH Sharpe Ratio of 0.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IBB and IYH, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Loading charts...

Sharpe Ratios by Period

IBBIYHDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.74

0.89

+0.85

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.10

0.31

-0.21

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.27

0.54

-0.27

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.26

0.43

-0.17

Drawdowns

IBB vs. IYH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IBB drawdown since its inception was -62.85%, which is greater than IYH's maximum drawdown of -43.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IBB and IYH.

Loading charts...

Drawdown Indicators

IBBIYHDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-62.85%

-43.12%

-19.73%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.63%

-10.64%

+1.01%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-24.85%

-17.91%

-6.94%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-39.82%

-17.91%

-21.91%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-39.82%

-28.40%

-11.42%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-5.64%

-7.36%

+1.72%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-21.18%

-8.96%

-12.22%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.03%

4.41%

-1.38%

Volatility

IBB vs. IYH - Volatility Comparison

iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBB) has a higher volatility of 6.86% compared to iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF (IYH) at 4.24%. This indicates that IBB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IYH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

IBBIYHDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

6.86%

4.24%

+2.62%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

15.38%

10.32%

+5.06%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

19.89%

14.74%

+5.15%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

21.99%

14.92%

+7.07%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

23.22%

16.72%

+6.50%

IBB vs. IYH - Expense Ratio Comparison

IBB has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is higher than IYH's 0.43% expense ratio.

Dividends

IBB vs. IYH - Dividend Comparison

IBB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.23%, less than IYH's 1.30% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
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%
IYH
iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF		1.30%1.19%1.25%1.18%1.10%0.94%1.16%1.14%1.95%1.10%1.29%2.02%

Frequently Asked Questions

IBB and IYH have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

IBB has higher volatility (6.86%) compared to IYH (4.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IBB dropped -62.85% vs IYH's -43.12%.

On 10-year performance, IYH leads with 8.96% vs 6.23% for IBB. On fees, IYH is cheaper at 0.43% per year. On volatility, IYH has been the lower-risk option at 4.24%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, IYH has performed better with a 8.96% return vs 6.23%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IYH is cheaper with a 0.43% expense ratio, compared with 0.47% for IBB.

IYH has the higher dividend yield at 1.30%, compared with 0.23% for IBB.

IBB tracks NASDAQ Biotechnology Index, while IYH tracks Dow Jones U.S. Health Care Index. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for IBB and 0.43% for IYH.

IBB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.74 vs 0.89), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for IBB and IYH

Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.

Open Portfolio Optimizer