IBB vs. PBPH
IBB (iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF) and PBPH (Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds - IBB tracks the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index while PBPH tracks the BITA Global Pharma and Biotech Select Index. Both are passively managed. A 0.80 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IBB charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for PBPH.
Performance
IBB vs. PBPH - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IBB achieves a -0.68% return, which is significantly higher than PBPH's -1.13% 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%
PBPH
- 1D
- 0.58%
- 1M
- 0.07%
- YTD
- -1.13%
- 6M
- -0.02%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
IBB vs. PBPH - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
IBB iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF | -0.68% | -1.96% |
PBPH Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF | -1.13% | 0.76% |
Correlation
The correlation between IBB and PBPH is 0.80, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 26, 2025 | 0.80 |
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Return for Risk
IBB vs. PBPH — Risk / Return Rank
IBB
PBPH
IBB vs. PBPH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBB) and Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF (PBPH). 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 | PBPH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.74 | — | — |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 2.50 | — | — |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.30 | — | — |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.60 | — | — |
Martin ratioReturn 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. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| IBB | PBPH | 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 | -0.04 | +0.30 |
Drawdowns
IBB vs. PBPH - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IBB drawdown since its inception was -62.85%, which is greater than PBPH's maximum drawdown of -11.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IBB and PBPH.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IBB | PBPH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -62.85% | -11.10% | -51.75% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -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 | -5.64% | -8.69% | +3.05% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -21.18% | -4.23% | -16.95% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.03% | — | — |
Volatility
IBB vs. PBPH - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| IBB | PBPH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.86% | — | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 15.38% | — | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 19.89% | 16.78% | +3.11% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.99% | 16.78% | +5.21% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 23.22% | 16.78% | +6.44% |
IBB vs. PBPH - Expense Ratio Comparison
IBB has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is higher than PBPH's 0.13% expense ratio.
Dividends
IBB vs. PBPH - Dividend Comparison
IBB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.23%, more than PBPH's 0.09% 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% |
PBPH Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF | 0.09% | 0.09% | 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 PBPH have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, PBPH is cheaper at 0.13% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
PBPH is cheaper with a 0.13% expense ratio, compared with 0.47% for IBB.
IBB has the higher dividend yield at 0.23%, compared with 0.09% for PBPH.
IBB tracks NASDAQ Biotechnology Index, while PBPH tracks BITA Global Pharma and Biotech Select Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Portfolio Building Block. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for IBB and 0.13% for PBPH.
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