IXJ vs. PBPH

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IXJ (iShares Global Healthcare ETF) and PBPH (Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds - IXJ tracks the S&P Global Healthcare Sector Index while PBPH tracks the BITA Global Pharma and Biotech Select Index. Both are passively managed. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IXJ charges 0.46%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for PBPH.

Performance

IXJ vs. PBPH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Global Healthcare ETF (IXJ) and Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF (PBPH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IXJ achieves a -5.26% return, which is significantly lower than PBPH's -1.13% 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%

PBPH

• 1D: 0.58%
• 1M: 0.07%
• YTD: -1.13%
• 6M: -0.02%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

IXJ vs. PBPH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
IXJ iShares Global Healthcare ETF	-5.26%	-1.20%
PBPH Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF	-1.13%	0.76%

Correlation

The correlation between IXJ and PBPH is 0.93, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 26, 2025	0.93

Return for Risk

IXJ vs. PBPH — 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. PBPH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Global Healthcare ETF (IXJ) and Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF (PBPH). 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	PBPH	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	PBPH	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	-0.04	+0.46

Drawdowns

IXJ vs. PBPH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IXJ drawdown since its inception was -40.60%, which is greater than PBPH's maximum drawdown of -11.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IXJ and PBPH.

Drawdown Indicators

	IXJ	PBPH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.60%	-11.10%	-29.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-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%	-8.69%	-0.58%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.92%	-4.23%	-2.69%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.41%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	IXJ	PBPH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.75%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.05%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.55%	16.78%	-2.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.21%	16.78%	-2.57%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.67%	16.78%	-1.11%

IXJ vs. PBPH - Expense Ratio Comparison

IXJ has a 0.46% expense ratio, which is higher than PBPH's 0.13% expense ratio.

Dividends

IXJ vs. PBPH - Dividend Comparison

IXJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.47%, more than PBPH's 0.09% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
PBPH Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF	0.09%	0.09%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IXJ and PBPH in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, IXJ and PBPH move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which ETF is better, IXJ or PBPH?

On fees, PBPH is cheaper at 0.13% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, IXJ or PBPH?

PBPH is cheaper with a 0.13% expense ratio, compared with 0.46% for IXJ.

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

IXJ has the higher dividend yield at 1.47%, compared with 0.09% for PBPH.

What is the main difference between IXJ and PBPH?

IXJ tracks S&P Global Healthcare Sector Index, while PBPH tracks BITA Global Pharma and Biotech Select Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Portfolio Building Block. Their fees differ too: 0.46% for IXJ and 0.13% for PBPH.