ICLR vs. XBI

Last updated Jul 11, 2026

ICLR (ICON Public Limited Company) is a stock, while XBI (SPDR S&P Biotech ETF) is Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index. Over the past 10 years, ICLR returned 8.67%/yr vs 10.79%/yr for XBI. At a 0.43 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

ICLR vs. XBI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ICON Public Limited Company (ICLR) and SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (XBI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ICLR achieves a -7.96% return, which is significantly lower than XBI's 30.56% return. Over the past 10 years, ICLR has underperformed XBI with an annualized return of 8.67%, while XBI has yielded a comparatively higher 10.79% annualized return.

ICLR

• 1D: -0.62%
• 1M: 14.74%
• 6M: -7.53%
• YTD: -7.96%
• 1Y: 11.43%
• 3Y*: -11.18%
• 5Y*: -4.44%
• 10Y*: 8.67%

XBI

• 1D: -3.20%
• 1M: 18.98%
• 6M: 27.86%
• YTD: 30.56%
• 1Y: 83.59%
• 3Y*: 24.05%
• 5Y*: 3.65%
• 10Y*: 10.79%

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

ICLR vs. XBI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ICLR ICON Public Limited Company	-7.96%	-13.11%	-25.92%	45.72%	-37.28%	58.84%	13.21%	33.29%	15.21%	49.14%
XBI SPDR S&P Biotech ETF	30.56%	35.89%	1.01%	7.60%	-25.87%	-20.45%	48.33%	32.56%	-15.28%	43.77%

Correlation

The correlation between ICLR and XBI is 0.38, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.38
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.45
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 6, 2006	0.43

Return for Risk

ICLR vs. XBI — Risk / Return Rank

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

ICLR

ICLR Risk / Return Rank: 52
ICLR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
ICLR Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
ICLR Omega Ratio Rank: 57
ICLR Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
ICLR Martin Ratio Rank: 50

XBI

XBI Risk / Return Rank: 94
XBI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
XBI Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
XBI Omega Ratio Rank: 90
XBI Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
XBI Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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.

ICLR vs. XBI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ICON Public Limited Company (ICLR) and SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (XBI). 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.

	ICLR	XBI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.15	3.05	-2.91
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.72	3.88	-3.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.47	-0.35
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.17	8.35	-8.18
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.37	24.71	-24.34

ICLR vs. XBI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ICLR Sharpe Ratio is 0.15, which is lower than the XBI Sharpe Ratio of 3.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ICLR and XBI, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

ICLR vs. XBI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ICLR drawdown since its inception was -76.87%, which is greater than XBI's maximum drawdown of -63.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ICLR and XBI.

Drawdown Indicators

	ICLR	XBI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-76.87%	-63.89%	-12.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-60.54%	-9.72%	-50.82%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-76.87%	-32.99%	-43.88%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-76.87%	-54.00%	-22.87%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-76.87%	-63.89%	-12.98%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-51.55%	-7.99%	-43.56%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-23.61%	-20.90%	-2.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	27.87%	3.29%	+24.58%

Volatility

ICLR vs. XBI - Volatility Comparison

ICON Public Limited Company (ICLR) has a higher volatility of 15.27% compared to SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (XBI) at 7.98%. This indicates that ICLR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XBI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ICLR	XBI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	15.27%	7.98%	+7.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	67.72%	21.31%	+46.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	71.02%	26.61%	+44.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	45.43%	32.32%	+13.11%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	38.06%	31.93%	+6.13%

Dividends

ICLR vs. XBI - Dividend Comparison

ICLR has not paid dividends to shareholders, while XBI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.36%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ICLR ICON Public Limited Company	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XBI SPDR S&P Biotech ETF	0.36%	0.37%	0.15%	0.02%	0.00%	0.04%	0.20%	0.00%	0.28%	0.24%	0.26%	0.61%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ICLR and XBI in my portfolio?

ICLR and XBI have a correlation of 0.38, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ICLR or XBI?

ICLR has higher volatility (15.27%) compared to XBI (7.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ICLR dropped -76.87% vs XBI's -63.89%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XBI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.05 vs 0.15), 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.