IBRN vs. IBIT

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

IBRN (iShares Neuroscience and Healthcare ETF) and IBIT (iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IBRN is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the NYSE FactSet Global Neuro Biopharma and MedTech Index, while IBIT is a Cryptocurrency fund tracking the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, IBRN returned 52.57% vs -35.90% for IBIT. At a 0.34 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IBRN charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IBIT.

Performance

IBRN vs. IBIT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Neuroscience and Healthcare ETF (IBRN) and iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IBRN achieves a 4.62% return, which is significantly higher than IBIT's -23.36% return.

IBRN

• 1D: -4.52%
• 1M: -1.90%
• YTD: 4.62%
• 6M: 12.73%
• 1Y: 52.57%
• 3Y*: 11.10%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IBIT

• 1D: -6.03%
• 1M: -14.44%
• YTD: -23.36%
• 6M: -26.36%
• 1Y: -35.90%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

IBRN vs. IBIT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
IBRN iShares Neuroscience and Healthcare ETF	4.62%	28.49%	-1.58%
IBIT iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF	-23.36%	-6.41%	99.21%

Correlation

The correlation between IBRN and IBIT is 0.37, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.37
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 12, 2024	0.34

Return for Risk

IBRN vs. IBIT — Risk / Return Rank

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

IBRN

IBRN Risk / Return Rank: 69
IBRN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
IBRN Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
IBRN Omega Ratio Rank: 53
IBRN Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
IBRN Martin Ratio Rank: 79

IBIT

IBIT Risk / Return Rank: 2
IBIT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
IBIT Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
IBIT Omega Ratio Rank: 2
IBIT Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
IBIT Martin Ratio Rank: 2

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.

IBRN vs. IBIT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Neuroscience and Healthcare ETF (IBRN) and iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT). 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.

	IBRN	IBIT	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.09	-0.83	+2.91
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.94	-1.09	+4.03
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	0.88	+0.46
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.30	-0.73	+7.03
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	15.59	-1.27	+16.87
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IBRN vs. IBIT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IBRN Sharpe Ratio is 2.09, which is higher than the IBIT Sharpe Ratio of -0.83. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IBRN and IBIT, 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

	IBRN	IBIT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.09	-0.83	+2.91
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.37	0.32	+0.04

Drawdowns

IBRN vs. IBIT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IBRN drawdown since its inception was -35.38%, smaller than the maximum IBIT drawdown of -49.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IBRN and IBIT.

Drawdown Indicators

	IBRN	IBIT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.38%	-49.36%	+13.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.80%	-49.36%	+40.56%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-35.38%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.28%	-46.63%	+40.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.83%	-15.96%	+6.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.56%	28.28%	-24.72%

Volatility

IBRN vs. IBIT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Neuroscience and Healthcare ETF (IBRN) is 7.66%, while iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) has a volatility of 9.76%. This indicates that IBRN experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IBIT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IBRN	IBIT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.66%	9.76%	-2.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.29%	34.85%	-15.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.38%	43.65%	-18.27%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.32%	50.20%	-24.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.32%	50.20%	-24.88%

IBRN vs. IBIT - Expense Ratio Comparison

IBRN has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is higher than IBIT's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

IBRN vs. IBIT - Dividend Comparison

IBRN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.95%, while IBIT has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
IBIT iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IBRN iShares Neuroscience and Healthcare ETF	0.95%	0.99%	0.40%	0.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IBRN and IBIT in my portfolio?

IBRN and IBIT have a correlation of 0.37, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IBRN or IBIT?

IBIT has higher volatility (9.76%) compared to IBRN (7.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IBRN dropped -35.38% vs IBIT's -49.36%.

Which ETF is better, IBRN or IBIT?

On 1-year performance, IBRN leads with 52.57% vs -35.90% for IBIT. On fees, IBIT is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, IBRN has been the lower-risk option at 7.66%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IBRN or IBIT?

Over the 1-year period, IBRN has performed better with a 52.57% return vs -35.90%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IBRN or IBIT?

IBIT is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.47% for IBRN.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IBRN or IBIT?

IBRN has the higher dividend yield at 0.95%, compared with 0.00% for IBIT.

What is the main difference between IBRN and IBIT?

IBRN is categorized as Health & Biotech Equities, while IBIT is Cryptocurrency. IBRN tracks NYSE FactSet Global Neuro Biopharma and MedTech Index, while IBIT tracks CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for IBRN and 0.25% for IBIT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IBRN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.09 vs -0.82), 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.