IBRN vs. PBPH

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

IBRN (iShares Neuroscience and Healthcare ETF) and PBPH (Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds - IBRN tracks the NYSE FactSet Global Neuro Biopharma and MedTech Index while PBPH tracks the BITA Global Pharma and Biotech Select Index. Both are passively managed. A 0.60 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IBRN charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for PBPH.

Performance

IBRN vs. PBPH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Neuroscience and Healthcare ETF (IBRN) and Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF (PBPH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IBRN achieves a 14.14% return, which is significantly higher than PBPH's 1.21% return.

IBRN

• 1D: 0.60%
• 1M: 6.49%
• YTD: 14.14%
• 6M: 14.25%
• 1Y: 71.08%
• 3Y*: 14.72%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PBPH

• 1D: 1.17%
• 1M: -0.54%
• YTD: 1.21%
• 6M: 1.32%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

IBRN vs. PBPH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
IBRN iShares Neuroscience and Healthcare ETF	14.14%	6.61%
PBPH Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF	1.21%	0.74%

Correlation

The correlation between IBRN and PBPH is 0.60, 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 Nov 25, 2025	0.60

Return for Risk

IBRN vs. PBPH — Risk / Return Rank

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

IBRN

IBRN Risk / Return Rank: 89
IBRN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
IBRN Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
IBRN Omega Ratio Rank: 80
IBRN Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
IBRN Martin Ratio Rank: 93

PBPH

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.

IBRN vs. PBPH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Neuroscience and Healthcare ETF (IBRN) and Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF (PBPH). 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.

	IBRN	PBPH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.80	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.71	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	8.12	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	22.92	—	—

Drawdowns

IBRN vs. PBPH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IBRN drawdown since its inception was -35.38%, which is greater than PBPH's maximum drawdown of -11.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IBRN and PBPH.

Drawdown Indicators

	IBRN	PBPH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.38%	-11.10%	-24.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.80%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-35.38%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-6.53%	+6.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.75%	-4.36%	-5.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.11%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	IBRN	PBPH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.17%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.20%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.50%	17.03%	+8.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.36%	17.03%	+8.33%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.36%	17.03%	+8.33%

IBRN vs. PBPH - Expense Ratio Comparison

IBRN has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is higher than PBPH's 0.13% expense ratio.

Dividends

IBRN vs. PBPH - Dividend Comparison

IBRN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.87%, more than PBPH's 0.09% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
IBRN iShares Neuroscience and Healthcare ETF	0.87%	0.99%	0.40%	0.06%
PBPH Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF	0.09%	0.09%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IBRN and PBPH in my portfolio?

IBRN and PBPH have a correlation of 0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, IBRN or PBPH?

On fees, PBPH is cheaper at 0.13% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, IBRN or PBPH?

PBPH is cheaper with a 0.13% expense ratio, compared with 0.47% for IBRN.

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

IBRN has the higher dividend yield at 0.87%, compared with 0.09% for PBPH.

What is the main difference between IBRN and PBPH?

IBRN tracks NYSE FactSet Global Neuro Biopharma and MedTech Index, while PBPH tracks BITA Global Pharma and Biotech Select Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Portfolio Building Block. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for IBRN and 0.13% for PBPH.