IBBQ vs. FTXH

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IBBQ (Invesco Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF) and FTXH (First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds - IBBQ tracks the NASDAQ / Biotechnology while FTXH tracks the Nasdaq U.S. Smart Pharmaceuticals Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, IBBQ returned 12.60%/yr vs 11.48%/yr for FTXH. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IBBQ charges 0.00%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for FTXH.

Performance

IBBQ vs. FTXH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBBQ) and First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (FTXH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IBBQ achieves a 1.91% return, which is significantly lower than FTXH's 5.00% return.

IBBQ

• 1D: 1.77%
• 1M: -1.63%
• YTD: 1.91%
• 6M: 0.94%
• 1Y: 39.72%
• 3Y*: 12.60%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FTXH

• 1D: 1.69%
• 1M: 1.65%
• YTD: 5.00%
• 6M: 6.02%
• 1Y: 36.24%
• 3Y*: 11.48%
• 5Y*: 7.80%
• 10Y*: —

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

IBBQ vs. FTXH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
IBBQ Invesco Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF	1.91%	33.32%	-0.63%	4.73%	-10.41%	-6.72%
FTXH First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF	5.00%	24.15%	2.98%	-1.41%	2.55%	3.64%

Correlation

The correlation between IBBQ and FTXH is 0.86, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 14, 2021	0.76

The correlation between IBBQ and FTXH shifts across timeframes, from 0.76 (all time) to 0.86 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IBBQ vs. FTXH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IBBQ	FTXH
Healthcare	98.3%	100.0%
Financial Services	0.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

IBBQ vs. FTXH — Risk / Return Rank

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

IBBQ

IBBQ Risk / Return Rank: 67
IBBQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
IBBQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
IBBQ Omega Ratio Rank: 54
IBBQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
IBBQ Martin Ratio Rank: 79

FTXH

FTXH Risk / Return Rank: 71
FTXH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
FTXH Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
FTXH Omega Ratio Rank: 60
FTXH Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
FTXH Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

IBBQ vs. FTXH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBBQ) and First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (FTXH). 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.

	IBBQ	FTXH	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.03	2.14	-0.11
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.86	3.16	-0.30
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.37	-0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.79	4.87	-0.09
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	15.68	14.07	+1.61
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IBBQ vs. FTXH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IBBQ Sharpe Ratio is 2.03, which is comparable to the FTXH Sharpe Ratio of 2.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IBBQ and FTXH, 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

	IBBQ	FTXH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.03	2.14	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.48	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.16	0.38	-0.22

Drawdowns

IBBQ vs. FTXH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IBBQ drawdown since its inception was -37.94%, which is greater than FTXH's maximum drawdown of -32.11%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IBBQ and FTXH.

Drawdown Indicators

	IBBQ	FTXH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.94%	-32.11%	-5.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.34%	-7.47%	-0.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.66%	-19.51%	-4.15%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-19.51%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.17%	-2.88%	-2.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.82%	-5.84%	-10.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.54%	2.58%	-0.04%

Volatility

IBBQ vs. FTXH - Volatility Comparison

Invesco Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBBQ) has a higher volatility of 6.84% compared to First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (FTXH) at 4.83%. This indicates that IBBQ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FTXH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IBBQ	FTXH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.84%	4.83%	+2.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.14%	11.73%	+3.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.63%	16.98%	+2.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.86%	16.31%	+5.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.86%	18.41%	+3.45%

IBBQ vs. FTXH - Expense Ratio Comparison

IBBQ has a 0.00% expense ratio, which is lower than FTXH's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

IBBQ vs. FTXH - Dividend Comparison

IBBQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.87%, less than FTXH's 1.22% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
FTXH First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF	1.22%	1.41%	1.66%	1.55%	1.11%	1.03%	0.82%	0.67%	0.91%	2.18%	0.19%
IBBQ Invesco Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF	0.87%	0.90%	1.14%	0.81%	0.76%	0.63%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IBBQ and FTXH in my portfolio?

IBBQ and FTXH have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IBBQ or FTXH?

IBBQ has higher volatility (6.84%) compared to FTXH (4.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IBBQ dropped -37.94% vs FTXH's -32.11%.

Which ETF is better, IBBQ or FTXH?

On 3-year performance, IBBQ leads with 12.60% vs 11.48% for FTXH. On fees, IBBQ is cheaper at 0.00% per year. On volatility, FTXH has been the lower-risk option at 4.83%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IBBQ or FTXH?

Over the 3-year period, IBBQ has performed better with a 12.60% return vs 11.48%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IBBQ or FTXH?

IBBQ is cheaper with a 0.00% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for FTXH.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IBBQ or FTXH?

FTXH has the higher dividend yield at 1.22%, compared with 0.87% for IBBQ.

What is the main difference between IBBQ and FTXH?

IBBQ tracks NASDAQ / Biotechnology, while FTXH tracks Nasdaq U.S. Smart Pharmaceuticals Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.00% for IBBQ and 0.60% for FTXH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTXH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.14 vs 2.03), 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.