IBB vs. XLVI

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

IBB (iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF) and XLVI (State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IBB is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index, while XLVI is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by State Street. IBB is passively managed, while XLVI is actively managed. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IBB charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for XLVI.

Performance

IBB vs. XLVI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBB) and State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLVI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IBB achieves a 5.61% return, which is significantly higher than XLVI's 2.50% return.

IBB

• 1D: 0.62%
• 1M: 5.52%
• YTD: 5.61%
• 6M: 3.57%
• 1Y: 42.90%
• 3Y*: 11.80%
• 5Y*: 2.21%
• 10Y*: 8.21%

XLVI

• 1D: 1.53%
• 1M: 2.15%
• YTD: 2.50%
• 6M: 2.57%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

IBB vs. XLVI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
IBB iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF	5.61%	26.29%
XLVI State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	2.50%	12.41%

Correlation

The correlation between IBB and XLVI is 0.69, 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 Jul 30, 2025	0.69

IBB vs. XLVI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IBB	XLVI
Healthcare	100.0%	100.0%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	100.2%
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

IBB vs. XLVI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

IBB

IBB Risk / Return Rank: 71
IBB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
IBB Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
IBB Omega Ratio Rank: 60
IBB Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
IBB Martin Ratio Rank: 75

XLVI

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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. XLVI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBB) and State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLVI). 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.

	IBB	XLVI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.12	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.96	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.47	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.77	—	—

Drawdowns

IBB vs. XLVI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IBB drawdown since its inception was -62.85%, which is greater than XLVI's maximum drawdown of -8.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IBB and XLVI.

Drawdown Indicators

	IBB	XLVI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.85%	-8.14%	-54.71%
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 Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.97%	+0.97%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.14%	-1.94%	-19.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.12%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	IBB	XLVI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.95%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.98%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.34%	11.06%	+9.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.03%	11.06%	+10.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.17%	11.06%	+12.11%

IBB vs. XLVI - Expense Ratio Comparison

IBB has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is higher than XLVI's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

IBB vs. XLVI - Dividend Comparison

IBB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.23%, less than XLVI's 11.17% 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%
XLVI State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	11.17%	5.73%	0.00%	0.00%	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 XLVI in my portfolio?

IBB and XLVI have a correlation of 0.69, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, IBB or XLVI?

On fees, XLVI is cheaper at 0.35% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, IBB or XLVI?

XLVI is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.47% for IBB.

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

XLVI has the higher dividend yield at 11.17%, compared with 0.23% for IBB.

What is the main difference between IBB and XLVI?

IBB is categorized as Health & Biotech Equities, while XLVI is Derivative Income. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for IBB and 0.35% for XLVI.