IHF vs. XBI

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

IHF (iShares U.S. Healthcare Providers ETF) and XBI (SPDR S&P Biotech ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds - IHF tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Select Health Care Providers Index while XBI tracks the S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IHF returned 8.88%/yr vs 11.14%/yr for XBI. A 0.53 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IHF charges 0.43%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for XBI.

Performance

IHF vs. XBI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares U.S. Healthcare Providers ETF (IHF) 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, IHF achieves a 11.55% return, which is significantly lower than XBI's 20.70% return. Over the past 10 years, IHF has underperformed XBI with an annualized return of 8.88%, while XBI has yielded a comparatively higher 11.14% annualized return.

IHF

• 1D: 0.74%
• 1M: 5.23%
• YTD: 11.55%
• 6M: 12.02%
• 1Y: 14.30%
• 3Y*: 2.85%
• 5Y*: 0.85%
• 10Y*: 8.88%

XBI

• 1D: 0.80%
• 1M: 11.78%
• YTD: 20.70%
• 6M: 17.84%
• 1Y: 79.53%
• 3Y*: 20.24%
• 5Y*: 1.51%
• 10Y*: 11.14%

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

IHF vs. XBI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IHF iShares U.S. Healthcare Providers ETF	11.55%	0.92%	-7.90%	-1.11%	-7.11%	24.46%	17.67%	22.34%	9.56%	25.45%
XBI SPDR S&P Biotech ETF	20.70%	35.89%	1.01%	7.60%	-25.87%	-20.45%	48.33%	32.56%	-15.28%	43.77%

Correlation

The correlation between IHF and XBI is 0.31, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.31
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.34
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.43
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 5, 2006	0.53

Over the past year, the correlation between IHF and XBI has dropped to 0.31 - well below their long-term average of 0.53, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

IHF vs. XBI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IHF	XBI
Healthcare	98.9%	99.7%
Financial Services	0.6%	0.3%
Technology	0.3%	-
Basic Materials	-	0.2%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

IHF vs. XBI — Risk / Return Rank

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

IHF

IHF Risk / Return Rank: 19
IHF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
IHF Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
IHF Omega Ratio Rank: 21
IHF Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
IHF Martin Ratio Rank: 17

XBI

XBI Risk / Return Rank: 90
XBI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
XBI Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
XBI Omega Ratio Rank: 82
XBI Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
XBI Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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.

IHF vs. XBI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Healthcare Providers ETF (IHF) 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.

	IHF	XBI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.66	3.02	-2.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.95	3.89	-2.93
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.47	-0.33
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.73	8.22	-7.50
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.68	24.30	-22.61

IHF vs. XBI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IHF Sharpe Ratio is 0.66, which is lower than the XBI Sharpe Ratio of 3.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IHF 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

IHF vs. XBI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IHF drawdown since its inception was -58.42%, smaller than the maximum XBI drawdown of -63.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IHF and XBI.

Drawdown Indicators

	IHF	XBI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.42%	-63.89%	+5.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.72%	-9.72%	-10.00%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.85%	-32.99%	+3.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.85%	-54.71%	+24.86%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.23%	-63.89%	+28.66%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.44%	-14.94%	+7.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.64%	-20.93%	+10.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.51%	3.28%	+5.23%

Volatility

IHF vs. XBI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares U.S. Healthcare Providers ETF (IHF) is 5.27%, while SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (XBI) has a volatility of 9.96%. This indicates that IHF 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

	IHF	XBI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.27%	9.96%	-4.69%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.10%	21.31%	-5.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.90%	26.47%	-4.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.17%	32.30%	-13.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.02%	32.01%	-10.99%

IHF vs. XBI - Expense Ratio Comparison

IHF has a 0.43% expense ratio, which is higher than XBI's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

IHF vs. XBI - Dividend Comparison

IHF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.98%, more than XBI's 0.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IHF iShares U.S. Healthcare Providers ETF	0.98%	1.05%	0.86%	0.79%	0.74%	0.56%	0.53%	0.58%	4.01%	0.19%	0.25%	0.20%
XBI SPDR S&P Biotech ETF	0.39%	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 IHF and XBI in my portfolio?

IHF and XBI have a correlation of 0.31, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IHF or XBI?

XBI has higher volatility (9.96%) compared to IHF (5.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IHF dropped -58.42% vs XBI's -63.89%.

Which ETF is better, IHF or XBI?

On 10-year performance, XBI leads with 11.14% vs 8.88% for IHF. On fees, XBI is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, IHF has been the lower-risk option at 5.27%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IHF or XBI?

Over the 10-year period, XBI has performed better with a 11.14% return vs 8.88%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IHF or XBI?

XBI is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.43% for IHF.

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

IHF has the higher dividend yield at 0.98%, compared with 0.39% for XBI.

What is the main difference between IHF and XBI?

IHF tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Health Care Providers Index, while XBI tracks S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.43% for IHF and 0.35% for XBI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XBI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.02 vs 0.66), 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.