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IXJ vs. FTXH
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IXJ vs. FTXH

Last updated Aug 2, 2026
Documentation

IXJ (iShares Global Healthcare ETF) and FTXH (First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds - IXJ tracks the S&P Global 1200 Health Care (Sector) Capped Index while FTXH tracks the Nasdaq U.S. Smart Pharmaceuticals Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IXJ returned 4.53%/yr vs 9.58%/yr for FTXH. Their 0.72 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. IXJ charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for FTXH.

Performance

IXJ vs. FTXH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Global Healthcare ETF (IXJ) and First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (FTXH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IXJ achieves a 3.85% return, which is significantly lower than FTXH's 18.55% return.

IXJ

1D
-0.97%
1M
-1.26%
6M
2.41%
YTD
3.85%
1Y
21.78%
3Y*
7.07%
5Y*
4.53%
10Y*
8.22%
ALL TIME*
7.37%

FTXH

1D
-1.05%
1M
-0.66%
6M
15.17%
YTD
18.55%
1Y
50.60%
3Y*
15.55%
5Y*
9.58%
10Y*
—
ALL TIME*
8.11%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

PositionAvg. Volume Value (2W)Avg. Volume Value (1M)Avg. Volume Value (3M)

FTXH

First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF
$132.14M$63.96M$21.87M

IXJ

iShares Global Healthcare ETF
$16.06M$16.61M$23.38M

IXJ vs. FTXH - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IXJ
iShares Global Healthcare ETF		3.85%14.99%0.55%3.62%-4.94%19.60%12.74%23.23%2.83%20.44%
FTXH
First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF		18.55%24.15%2.98%-1.41%2.55%6.14%11.73%22.13%-9.51%19.44%

Correlation

The correlation between IXJ and FTXH is 0.88, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.

0.88

Correlation (3Y)
Balances recent behavior with more history.

0.84

Correlation (5Y)
Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.

0.82

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 22, 2016

0.72

The correlation between IXJ and FTXH shifts across timeframes, from 0.72 (all time) to 0.88 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IXJ vs. FTXH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IXJ
FTXH

Healthcare

99.2%
100.0%

Consumer Defensive

0.5%

-

Technology

0.4%

-

Basic Materials

-

-

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Energy

-

-

Financial Services

-

-

Industrials

-

-

Real Estate

-

-

Utilities

-

-

Healthcare

IXJ
99.2%
FTXH
100.0%

Consumer Defensive

IXJ
0.5%
FTXH

-

Technology

IXJ
0.4%
FTXH

-

Basic Materials

IXJ

-

FTXH

-

Communication Services

IXJ

-

FTXH

-

Consumer Cyclical

IXJ

-

FTXH

-

Energy

IXJ

-

FTXH

-

Financial Services

IXJ

-

FTXH

-

Industrials

IXJ

-

FTXH

-

Real Estate

IXJ

-

FTXH

-

Utilities

IXJ

-

FTXH

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares Global Healthcare ETF

First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF

Often compared with IXJ:
IXJ vs. XLVIXJ vs. VHTIXJ vs. IHIIXJ vs. FHLCIXJ vs. XDWH.LIXJ vs. IVVIXJ vs. HLTH.L
Often compared with FTXH:
FTXH vs. PPHFTXH vs. BBPFTXH vs. XLVFTXH vs. MEDIFTXH vs. FXAIXFTXH vs. SPUSFTXH vs. IAGG

Return for Risk

IXJ vs. FTXH — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.
IXJ
IXJ Risk / Return Rank: 6161
Overall Rank
IXJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6666
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IXJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 7474
Sortino Ratio Rank
IXJ Omega Ratio Rank: 6262
Omega Ratio Rank
IXJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 6060
Calmar Ratio Rank
IXJ Martin Ratio Rank: 4545
Martin Ratio Rank
FTXH
FTXH Risk / Return Rank: 9696
Overall Rank
FTXH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9797
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FTXH Sortino Ratio Rank: 9696
Sortino Ratio Rank
FTXH Omega Ratio Rank: 9494
Omega Ratio Rank
FTXH Calmar Ratio Rank: 9797
Calmar Ratio Rank
FTXH Martin Ratio Rank: 9595
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

IXJ vs. FTXH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Global Healthcare ETF (IXJ) and First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (FTXH). 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.

IXJFTXHDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.50
3.12

-1.62

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.38
4.55

-2.18

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.27

1.52

-0.25

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.10

7.13

-5.03

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

4.99

21.24

-16.25

IXJ vs. FTXH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IXJ Sharpe Ratio is 1.50, which is lower than the FTXH Sharpe Ratio of 3.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IXJ and FTXH, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

IXJ vs. FTXH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IXJ drawdown since its inception was -40.60%, which is greater than FTXH's maximum drawdown of -32.11%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IXJ and FTXH.

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Drawdown Indicators

IXJFTXHDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-40.60%

-32.11%

-8.49%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-10.78%

-7.47%

-3.31%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-18.14%

-19.51%

+1.37%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-18.14%

-19.51%

+1.37%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-27.35%

—

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-2.52%

-2.01%

-0.51%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-6.90%

-5.76%

-1.14%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

4.52%

2.50%

+2.02%

Volatility

IXJ vs. FTXH - Volatility Comparison

iShares Global Healthcare ETF (IXJ) and First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (FTXH) have volatilities of 5.66% and 5.56%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

IXJFTXHDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.66%

5.56%

+0.10%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

11.61%

12.78%

-1.17%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

15.38%

17.21%

-1.83%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

14.50%

16.53%

-2.03%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

15.74%

18.43%

-2.69%

IXJ vs. FTXH - Expense Ratio Comparison

IXJ has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is lower than FTXH's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

IXJ vs. FTXH - Dividend Comparison

IXJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.44%, more than FTXH's 1.09% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
FTXH
First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF		1.09%1.41%1.66%1.55%1.11%1.03%0.82%0.67%0.91%2.18%0.19%0.00%
IXJ
iShares Global Healthcare ETF		1.44%1.40%1.50%1.38%1.17%1.12%1.27%1.42%2.11%1.46%1.73%2.85%

Frequently Asked Questions

IXJ and FTXH have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

IXJ has higher volatility (5.66%) compared to FTXH (5.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IXJ dropped -40.60% vs FTXH's -32.11%.

On 5-year performance, FTXH leads with 9.58% vs 4.53% for IXJ. On fees, IXJ is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, FTXH has been the lower-risk option at 5.56%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 5-year period, FTXH has performed better with a 9.58% return vs 4.53%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IXJ is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for FTXH.

IXJ has the higher dividend yield at 1.44%, compared with 1.09% for FTXH.

IXJ tracks S&P Global 1200 Health Care (Sector) Capped Index, while FTXH tracks Nasdaq U.S. Smart Pharmaceuticals Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for IXJ and 0.60% for FTXH.

FTXH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.12 vs 1.50), 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.

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