IXJ vs. GERM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IXJ (iShares Global Healthcare ETF) and GERM (Amplify Treatments, Testing and Advancements ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds - IXJ tracks the S&P Global Healthcare Sector Index while GERM tracks the Prime Treatments, Testing and Advancements Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, IXJ returned 9.30% vs 0.00% for GERM. IXJ charges 0.46%/yr vs 0.68%/yr for GERM.

Performance

IXJ vs. GERM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Global Healthcare ETF (IXJ) and Amplify Treatments, Testing and Advancements ETF (GERM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

IXJ

• 1D: 0.39%
• 1M: 0.34%
• YTD: -5.26%
• 6M: -4.88%
• 1Y: 9.30%
• 3Y*: 4.42%
• 5Y*: 4.02%
• 10Y*: 7.66%

GERM

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• YTD: 0.00%
• 6M: 0.00%
• 1Y: 0.00%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

IXJ vs. GERM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
IXJ iShares Global Healthcare ETF	-5.26%	14.99%	-12.26%
GERM Amplify Treatments, Testing and Advancements ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

IXJ vs. GERM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IXJ	GERM
Healthcare	98.9%	99.3%
Consumer Defensive	0.5%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	0.4%
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

IXJ vs. GERM — Risk / Return Rank

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

IXJ

IXJ Risk / Return Rank: 19
IXJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
IXJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
IXJ Omega Ratio Rank: 18
IXJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
IXJ Martin Ratio Rank: 19

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.

IXJ vs. GERM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Global Healthcare ETF (IXJ) and Amplify Treatments, Testing and Advancements ETF (GERM). 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.

	IXJ	GERM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.64	—	—
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.06	—	—
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	—	—
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.87	—	—
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	2.11	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	IXJ	GERM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.64	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.28	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	—	—

Drawdowns

IXJ vs. GERM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IXJ drawdown since its inception was -40.60%, which is greater than GERM's maximum drawdown of 0.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IXJ and GERM.

Drawdown Indicators

	IXJ	GERM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.60%	0.00%	-40.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.78%	0.00%	-10.78%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.14%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.14%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-27.35%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.27%	0.00%	-9.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.92%	0.00%	-6.92%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.41%	0.00%	+4.41%

Volatility

IXJ vs. GERM - Volatility Comparison

iShares Global Healthcare ETF (IXJ) has a higher volatility of 3.75% compared to Amplify Treatments, Testing and Advancements ETF (GERM) at 0.00%. This indicates that IXJ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GERM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IXJ	GERM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.75%	0.00%	+3.75%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.05%	0.00%	+10.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.55%	0.00%	+14.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.21%	0.00%	+14.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.67%	0.00%	+15.67%

IXJ vs. GERM - Expense Ratio Comparison

IXJ has a 0.46% expense ratio, which is lower than GERM's 0.68% expense ratio.

Dividends

IXJ vs. GERM - Dividend Comparison

IXJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.47%, while GERM has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GERM Amplify Treatments, Testing and Advancements ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IXJ iShares Global Healthcare ETF	1.47%	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

Which is riskier, IXJ or GERM?

IXJ has higher volatility (3.75%) compared to GERM (0.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IXJ dropped -40.60% vs GERM's 0.00%.

Which ETF is better, IXJ or GERM?

On 1-year performance, IXJ leads with 9.30% vs 0.00% for GERM. On fees, IXJ is cheaper at 0.46% per year. On volatility, GERM has been the lower-risk option at 0.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IXJ or GERM?

Over the 1-year period, IXJ has performed better with a 9.30% return vs 0.00%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IXJ or GERM?

IXJ is cheaper with a 0.46% expense ratio, compared with 0.68% for GERM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IXJ or GERM?

IXJ has the higher dividend yield at 1.47%, compared with 0.00% for GERM.

What is the main difference between IXJ and GERM?

IXJ tracks S&P Global Healthcare Sector Index, while GERM tracks Prime Treatments, Testing and Advancements Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Amplify. Their fees differ too: 0.46% for IXJ and 0.68% for GERM.