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IBB vs. PSIL
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IBB vs. PSIL

Last updated Aug 2, 2026
Documentation

IBB (iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF) and PSIL (AdvisorShares Psychedelics ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds. IBB is passively managed, while PSIL is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, IBB returned 13.65%/yr vs 11.93%/yr for PSIL. Their 0.46 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. IBB charges 0.47%/yr vs 1.00%/yr for PSIL.

Performance

IBB vs. PSIL - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IBB achieves a 10.55% return, which is significantly lower than PSIL's 36.87% return.

IBB

1D
-1.87%
1M
-4.75%
6M
8.20%
YTD
10.55%
1Y
40.47%
3Y*
13.65%
5Y*
2.65%
10Y*
6.89%
ALL TIME*
7.16%

PSIL

1D
-1.14%
1M
1.16%
6M
40.80%
YTD
36.87%
1Y
60.42%
3Y*
11.93%
5Y*
—
10Y*
—
ALL TIME*
-23.56%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

PositionAvg. Volume Value (2W)Avg. Volume Value (1M)Avg. Volume Value (3M)

IBB

iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF
$252.83M$308.82M$278.87M

PSIL

AdvisorShares Psychedelics ETF
$992.95K$1.18M$917.29K

IBB vs. PSIL - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)20252024202320222021
IBB
iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF		10.55%27.98%-2.41%3.76%-13.69%-11.08%
PSIL
AdvisorShares Psychedelics ETF		36.87%74.55%-19.50%-25.12%-67.24%-42.72%

Correlation

The correlation between IBB and PSIL is 0.56, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.

0.56

Correlation (3Y)
Balances recent behavior with more history.

0.46

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 16, 2021

0.46

The correlation between IBB and PSIL shifts across timeframes, from 0.46 (all time) to 0.56 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IBB vs. PSIL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IBB
PSIL

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%
PSIL
100.0%

Basic Materials

IBB

-

PSIL

-

Communication Services

IBB

-

PSIL

-

Consumer Cyclical

IBB

-

PSIL

-

Consumer Defensive

IBB

-

PSIL

-

Energy

IBB

-

PSIL

-

Financial Services

IBB

-

PSIL

-

Industrials

IBB

-

PSIL

-

Real Estate

IBB

-

PSIL

-

Technology

IBB

-

PSIL

-

Utilities

IBB

-

PSIL

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF

AdvisorShares Psychedelics ETF

Often compared with IBB:
IBB vs. XBIIBB vs. ARKGIBB vs. XLVIBB vs. IBBQIBB vs. BBHIBB vs. SPYIBB vs. FBIOX
Often compared with PSIL:
PSIL vs. SBIOPSIL vs. XLVPSIL vs. ARKGPSIL vs. XHEPSIL vs. HTECPSIL vs. AADRPSIL vs. VHT

Return for Risk

IBB vs. PSIL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.
IBB
IBB Risk / Return Rank: 8686
Overall Rank
IBB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8686
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IBB Sortino Ratio Rank: 8585
Sortino Ratio Rank
IBB Omega Ratio Rank: 7979
Omega Ratio Rank
IBB Calmar Ratio Rank: 9292
Calmar Ratio Rank
IBB Martin Ratio Rank: 8686
Martin Ratio Rank
PSIL
PSIL Risk / Return Rank: 5757
Overall Rank
PSIL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5656
Sharpe Ratio Rank
PSIL Sortino Ratio Rank: 5656
Sortino Ratio Rank
PSIL Omega Ratio Rank: 5050
Omega Ratio Rank
PSIL Calmar Ratio Rank: 7676
Calmar Ratio Rank
PSIL Martin Ratio Rank: 4848
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

IBB vs. PSIL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBB) and AdvisorShares Psychedelics ETF (PSIL). 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.

IBBPSILDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.00
1.35

+0.66

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.80
1.95

+0.85

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.33

1.23

+0.10

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

4.25

2.69

+1.56

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

12.35

5.59

+6.76

IBB vs. PSIL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IBB Sharpe Ratio is 2.00, which is higher than the PSIL Sharpe Ratio of 1.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IBB and PSIL, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

IBB vs. PSIL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IBB drawdown since its inception was -62.85%, smaller than the maximum PSIL drawdown of -92.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IBB and PSIL.

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Drawdown Indicators

IBBPSILDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-62.85%

-92.72%

+29.87%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.63%

-20.38%

+10.75%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-24.85%

-61.25%

+36.40%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-39.82%

—

—

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-39.82%

—

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-5.96%

-73.38%

+67.42%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-21.06%

-76.64%

+55.58%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.31%

9.78%

-6.47%

Volatility

IBB vs. PSIL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBB) is 6.14%, while AdvisorShares Psychedelics ETF (PSIL) has a volatility of 8.09%. This indicates that IBB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PSIL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

IBBPSILDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

6.14%

8.09%

-1.95%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

15.87%

29.57%

-13.70%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

20.45%

40.73%

-20.28%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

22.12%

62.54%

-40.42%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

23.12%

62.54%

-39.42%

IBB vs. PSIL - Expense Ratio Comparison

IBB has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is lower than PSIL's 1.00% expense ratio.

Dividends

IBB vs. PSIL - Dividend Comparison

IBB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.22%, less than PSIL's 7.25% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IBB
iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF		0.22%0.23%0.29%0.26%0.31%0.21%0.21%0.33%0.20%0.30%0.19%0.03%
PSIL
AdvisorShares Psychedelics ETF		7.25%10.95%1.49%0.24%2.91%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

IBB and PSIL have a correlation of 0.56, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

PSIL has higher volatility (8.09%) compared to IBB (6.14%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IBB dropped -62.85% vs PSIL's -92.72%.

On 3-year performance, IBB leads with 13.65% vs 11.93% for PSIL. On fees, IBB is cheaper at 0.47% per year. On volatility, IBB has been the lower-risk option at 6.14%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 3-year period, IBB has performed better with a 13.65% return vs 11.93%. 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 1.00% for PSIL.

PSIL has the higher dividend yield at 7.25%, compared with 0.22% for IBB.

They also come from different issuers: iShares and AdvisorShares. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for IBB and 1.00% for PSIL.

IBB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.00 vs 1.35), 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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