IFRA vs. XBI

Last updated Jun 16, 2026

IFRA (iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF) and XBI (SPDR S&P Biotech ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IFRA is a Industrials Equities fund tracking the NYSE FactSet U.S. Infrastructure Index, while XBI is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IFRA returned 13.63%/yr vs 0.52%/yr for XBI. At a 0.48 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IFRA charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for XBI.

Performance

IFRA vs. XBI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF (IFRA) 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, IFRA achieves a 19.01% return, which is significantly higher than XBI's 11.87% return.

IFRA

• 1D: 0.44%
• 1M: 2.86%
• YTD: 19.01%
• 6M: 17.73%
• 1Y: 31.64%
• 3Y*: 19.65%
• 5Y*: 13.63%
• 10Y*: —

XBI

• 1D: 1.95%
• 1M: 4.37%
• YTD: 11.87%
• 6M: 11.41%
• 1Y: 63.76%
• 3Y*: 16.08%
• 5Y*: 0.52%
• 10Y*: 9.98%

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

IFRA vs. XBI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
IFRA iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF	19.01%	15.90%	17.02%	13.42%	-3.32%	29.81%	7.37%	27.00%	-7.97%
XBI SPDR S&P Biotech ETF	11.87%	35.89%	1.01%	7.60%	-25.87%	-20.45%	48.33%	32.56%	-17.61%

Correlation

The correlation between IFRA and XBI is 0.41, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.41
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.51
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 5, 2018	0.48

The correlation between IFRA and XBI shifts across timeframes, from 0.41 (1 year) to 0.51 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IFRA vs. XBI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IFRA	XBI
Industrials	39.4%	-
Utilities	37.7%	-
Basic Materials	14.7%	0.2%
Energy	7.9%	-
Consumer Cyclical	0.0%	-
Consumer Defensive	0.0%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Financial Services	-	0.3%
Healthcare	-	99.7%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-

Return for Risk

IFRA vs. XBI — Risk / Return Rank

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

IFRA

IFRA Risk / Return Rank: 75
IFRA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
IFRA Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
IFRA Omega Ratio Rank: 65
IFRA Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
IFRA Martin Ratio Rank: 79

XBI

XBI Risk / Return Rank: 86
XBI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
XBI Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
XBI Omega Ratio Rank: 74
XBI Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
XBI Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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.

IFRA vs. XBI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF (IFRA) 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.

	IFRA	XBI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.11	2.45	-0.35
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.07	3.29	-0.23
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.39	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.78	6.59	-2.81
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.85	19.47	-5.62

IFRA vs. XBI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IFRA Sharpe Ratio is 2.11, which is comparable to the XBI Sharpe Ratio of 2.45. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IFRA 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

IFRA vs. XBI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IFRA drawdown since its inception was -41.06%, smaller than the maximum XBI drawdown of -63.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IFRA and XBI.

Drawdown Indicators

	IFRA	XBI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.06%	-63.89%	+22.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.40%	-9.72%	+1.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.93%	-32.99%	+13.06%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.93%	-54.71%	+34.78%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-63.89%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.87%	-21.16%	+20.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.13%	-20.93%	+15.80%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.29%	3.29%	-1.00%

Volatility

IFRA vs. XBI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF (IFRA) is 5.33%, while SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (XBI) has a volatility of 10.55%. This indicates that IFRA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XBI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IFRA	XBI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.33%	10.55%	-5.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.64%	20.83%	-9.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.11%	26.18%	-11.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.98%	32.22%	-14.24%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.37%	32.03%	-10.66%

IFRA vs. XBI - Expense Ratio Comparison

IFRA has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is lower than XBI's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

IFRA vs. XBI - Dividend Comparison

IFRA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.86%, more than XBI's 0.32% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IFRA iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF	1.86%	1.84%	1.75%	1.98%	1.98%	1.63%	2.08%	1.68%	2.50%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XBI SPDR S&P Biotech ETF	0.32%	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 IFRA and XBI in my portfolio?

IFRA and XBI have a correlation of 0.41, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IFRA or XBI?

XBI has higher volatility (10.55%) compared to IFRA (5.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IFRA dropped -41.06% vs XBI's -63.89%.

Which ETF is better, IFRA or XBI?

On 5-year performance, IFRA leads with 13.63% vs 0.52% for XBI. On fees, IFRA is cheaper at 0.30% per year. On volatility, IFRA has been the lower-risk option at 5.33%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IFRA or XBI?

Over the 5-year period, IFRA has performed better with a 13.63% return vs 0.52%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IFRA or XBI?

IFRA is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for XBI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IFRA or XBI?

IFRA has the higher dividend yield at 1.86%, compared with 0.32% for XBI.

What is the main difference between IFRA and XBI?

IFRA is categorized as Industrials Equities, while XBI is Health & Biotech Equities. IFRA tracks NYSE FactSet U.S. Infrastructure Index, while XBI tracks S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.30% for IFRA and 0.35% for XBI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XBI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.45 vs 2.11), 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.