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IXJ vs. IBBQ
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IXJ vs. IBBQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IXJ (iShares Global Healthcare ETF) and IBBQ (Invesco Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds - IXJ tracks the S&P Global Healthcare Sector Index while IBBQ tracks the NASDAQ / Biotechnology. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, IXJ returned 4.42%/yr vs 12.60%/yr for IBBQ. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IXJ charges 0.46%/yr vs 0.00%/yr for IBBQ.

Performance

IXJ vs. IBBQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Global Healthcare ETF (IXJ) and Invesco Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBBQ). 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 -5.26% return, which is significantly lower than IBBQ's 1.91% return.

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%

IBBQ

1D
1.77%
1M
-1.63%
YTD
1.91%
6M
0.94%
1Y
39.72%
3Y*
12.60%
5Y*
—
10Y*
—
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IXJ vs. IBBQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)20252024202320222021
IXJ
iShares Global Healthcare ETF		-5.26%14.99%0.55%3.62%-4.94%10.06%
IBBQ
Invesco Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF		1.91%33.32%-0.63%4.73%-10.41%-6.72%

Correlation

The correlation between IXJ and IBBQ is 0.74, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.74

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.70

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 14, 2021

0.70

The correlation between IXJ and IBBQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.74 - a consistent structural relationship.

IXJ vs. IBBQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IXJ
IBBQ

Healthcare

98.9%
98.3%

Consumer Defensive

0.5%

-

Basic Materials

-

-

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Energy

-

-

Financial Services

-

0.0%

Industrials

-

-

Real Estate

-

-

Technology

-

-

Utilities

-

-

Healthcare

IXJ
98.9%
IBBQ
98.3%

Consumer Defensive

IXJ
0.5%
IBBQ

-

Basic Materials

IXJ

-

IBBQ

-

Communication Services

IXJ

-

IBBQ

-

Consumer Cyclical

IXJ

-

IBBQ

-

Energy

IXJ

-

IBBQ

-

Financial Services

IXJ

-

IBBQ
0.0%

Industrials

IXJ

-

IBBQ

-

Real Estate

IXJ

-

IBBQ

-

Technology

IXJ

-

IBBQ

-

Utilities

IXJ

-

IBBQ

-

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

Invesco Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF

Often compared with IXJ:
IXJ vs. XLVIXJ vs. VHTIXJ vs. XDWH.LIXJ vs. IHIIXJ vs. FHLCIXJ vs. IVVIXJ vs. HLTH.L
Often compared with IBBQ:
IBBQ vs. IBBIBBQ vs. XBIIBBQ vs. BBHIBBQ vs. GNOMIBBQ vs. BTECIBBQ vs. BBCIBBQ vs. BBP

Return for Risk

IXJ vs. IBBQ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IXJ
IXJ Risk / Return Rank: 1919
Overall Rank
IXJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1919
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IXJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 2020
Sortino Ratio Rank
IXJ Omega Ratio Rank: 1818
Omega Ratio Rank
IXJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 2020
Calmar Ratio Rank
IXJ Martin Ratio Rank: 1919
Martin Ratio Rank
IBBQ
IBBQ Risk / Return Rank: 6767
Overall Rank
IBBQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5959
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IBBQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 6060
Sortino Ratio Rank
IBBQ Omega Ratio Rank: 5454
Omega Ratio Rank
IBBQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 8585
Calmar Ratio Rank
IBBQ Martin Ratio Rank: 7979
Martin Ratio Rank
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. IBBQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Global Healthcare ETF (IXJ) and Invesco Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBBQ). 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.

IXJIBBQDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.64
2.03

-1.39

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.06
2.86

-1.80

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.12

1.34

-0.22

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

0.87

4.79

-3.92

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

2.11

15.68

-13.57

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IXJ vs. IBBQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IXJ Sharpe Ratio is 0.64, which is lower than the IBBQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IXJ and IBBQ, 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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Sharpe Ratios by Period

IXJIBBQDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.64

2.03

-1.39

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

0.16

+0.26

Drawdowns

IXJ vs. IBBQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IXJ drawdown since its inception was -40.60%, which is greater than IBBQ's maximum drawdown of -37.94%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IXJ and IBBQ.

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Drawdown Indicators

IXJIBBQDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-40.60%

-37.94%

-2.66%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-10.78%

-8.34%

-2.44%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-18.14%

-23.66%

+5.52%

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%

-5.17%

-4.10%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-6.92%

-16.82%

+9.90%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

4.41%

2.54%

+1.87%

Volatility

IXJ vs. IBBQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Global Healthcare ETF (IXJ) is 3.75%, while Invesco Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBBQ) has a volatility of 6.84%. This indicates that IXJ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IBBQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

IXJIBBQDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.75%

6.84%

-3.09%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

10.05%

15.14%

-5.09%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

14.55%

19.63%

-5.08%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

14.21%

21.86%

-7.65%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

15.67%

21.86%

-6.19%

IXJ vs. IBBQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

IXJ has a 0.46% expense ratio, which is higher than IBBQ's 0.00% expense ratio.

Dividends

IXJ vs. IBBQ - Dividend Comparison

IXJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.47%, more than IBBQ's 0.87% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IBBQ
Invesco Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF		0.87%0.90%1.14%0.81%0.76%0.63%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

IXJ and IBBQ have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

IBBQ has higher volatility (6.84%) compared to IXJ (3.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IXJ dropped -40.60% vs IBBQ's -37.94%.

On 3-year performance, IBBQ leads with 12.60% vs 4.42% for IXJ. On fees, IBBQ is cheaper at 0.00% per year. On volatility, IXJ has been the lower-risk option at 3.75%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 3-year period, IBBQ has performed better with a 12.60% return vs 4.42%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IBBQ is cheaper with a 0.00% expense ratio, compared with 0.46% for IXJ.

IXJ has the higher dividend yield at 1.47%, compared with 0.87% for IBBQ.

IXJ tracks S&P Global Healthcare Sector Index, while IBBQ tracks NASDAQ / Biotechnology. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.46% for IXJ and 0.00% for IBBQ.

IBBQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.03 vs 0.64), 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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