IBB vs. SPAQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IBB (iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF) and SPAQ (Horizon Kinetics SPAC Active ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds. IBB is passively managed, while SPAQ is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, IBB returned 9.40%/yr vs 5.87%/yr for SPAQ. At a 0.05 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IBB charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for SPAQ.

Performance

IBB vs. SPAQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBB) and Horizon Kinetics SPAC Active ETF (SPAQ). 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 SPAQ's 2.81% 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%

SPAQ

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 1.51%
• YTD: 2.81%
• 6M: 1.64%
• 1Y: 4.98%
• 3Y*: 5.87%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

IBB vs. SPAQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
IBB iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF	-0.68%	27.98%	-2.41%	1.06%
SPAQ Horizon Kinetics SPAC Active ETF	2.81%	7.35%	4.33%	5.52%

Correlation

The correlation between IBB and SPAQ is 0.03, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.03
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.04
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 31, 2023	0.05

IBB vs. SPAQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IBB	SPAQ
Healthcare	100.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	91.6%
Industrials	-	0.1%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

IBB vs. SPAQ — 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

SPAQ

SPAQ Risk / Return Rank: 20
SPAQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
SPAQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
SPAQ Omega Ratio Rank: 20
SPAQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
SPAQ Martin Ratio Rank: 25

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. SPAQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBB) and Horizon Kinetics SPAC Active ETF (SPAQ). 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	SPAQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.74	0.57	+1.18
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.50	0.84	+1.66
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.13	+0.17
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.60	0.94	+2.65
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.43	3.39	+8.04
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. SPAQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IBB Sharpe Ratio is 1.74, which is higher than the SPAQ Sharpe Ratio of 0.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IBB and SPAQ, 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	SPAQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.74	0.57	+1.18
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	0.86	-0.61

Drawdowns

IBB vs. SPAQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IBB drawdown since its inception was -62.85%, which is greater than SPAQ's maximum drawdown of -5.30%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IBB and SPAQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	IBB	SPAQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.85%	-5.30%	-57.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.63%	-5.30%	-4.33%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.85%	-5.30%	-19.55%
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	-5.64%	-0.01%	-5.63%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.18%	-0.54%	-20.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.03%	1.47%	+1.56%

Volatility

IBB vs. SPAQ - Volatility Comparison

iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBB) has a higher volatility of 6.86% compared to Horizon Kinetics SPAC Active ETF (SPAQ) at 1.95%. This indicates that IBB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPAQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IBB	SPAQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.86%	1.95%	+4.91%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.38%	5.01%	+10.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.89%	8.80%	+11.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.99%	7.00%	+14.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.22%	7.00%	+16.22%

IBB vs. SPAQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

IBB has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is lower than SPAQ's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

IBB vs. SPAQ - Dividend Comparison

IBB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.23%, less than SPAQ's 16.23% 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%
SPAQ Horizon Kinetics SPAC Active ETF	16.23%	16.69%	3.00%	2.60%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IBB and SPAQ in my portfolio?

IBB and SPAQ have a correlation of 0.03, 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 SPAQ?

IBB has higher volatility (6.86%) compared to SPAQ (1.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IBB dropped -62.85% vs SPAQ's -5.30%.

Which ETF is better, IBB or SPAQ?

On 3-year performance, IBB leads with 9.40% vs 5.87% for SPAQ. On fees, IBB is cheaper at 0.47% per year. On volatility, SPAQ has been the lower-risk option at 1.95%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IBB or SPAQ?

Over the 3-year period, IBB has performed better with a 9.40% return vs 5.87%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IBB or SPAQ?

IBB is cheaper with a 0.47% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for SPAQ.

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

SPAQ has the higher dividend yield at 16.23%, compared with 0.23% for IBB.

What is the main difference between IBB and SPAQ?

They also come from different issuers: iShares and Horizon. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for IBB and 0.85% for SPAQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IBB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.74 vs 0.57), 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.