IYZ vs. SBIO
IYZ (iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF) and SBIO (ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IYZ is a Communications Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Telecommunications Index, while SBIO is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the S-Network Medical Breakthroughs Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IYZ returned 5.76%/yr vs 8.36%/yr for SBIO. At a 0.45 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IYZ charges 0.42%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for SBIO.
Performance
IYZ vs. SBIO - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IYZ achieves a 26.58% return, which is significantly higher than SBIO's -1.72% return. Over the past 10 years, IYZ has underperformed SBIO with an annualized return of 5.76%, while SBIO has yielded a comparatively higher 8.36% annualized return.
IYZ
- 1D
- 0.40%
- 1M
- 3.16%
- YTD
- 26.58%
- 6M
- 29.19%
- 1Y
- 51.92%
- 3Y*
- 28.42%
- 5Y*
- 7.24%
- 10Y*
- 5.76%
SBIO
- 1D
- -0.36%
- 1M
- -9.33%
- YTD
- -1.72%
- 6M
- -2.48%
- 1Y
- 59.38%
- 3Y*
- 16.69%
- 5Y*
- 1.33%
- 10Y*
- 8.36%
IYZ vs. SBIO - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IYZ iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF | 26.58% | 29.28% | 20.53% | 3.90% | -30.29% | 11.69% | 4.13% | 16.14% | -8.59% | -11.86% |
SBIO ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF | -1.72% | 55.07% | 3.81% | 8.68% | -28.08% | -17.55% | 21.17% | 50.30% | -11.81% | 45.67% |
Correlation
The correlation between IYZ and SBIO 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 | 0.40 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.48 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.46 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2015 | 0.45 |
The correlation between IYZ and SBIO shifts across timeframes, from 0.31 (1 year) to 0.48 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
IYZ vs. SBIO — Risk / Return Rank
IYZ
SBIO
IYZ vs. SBIO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF (IYZ) and ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF (SBIO). 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.
| IYZ | SBIO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.82 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.90 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.50 | 1.33 | +0.17 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 7.11 | 4.72 | +2.40 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 26.20 | 13.54 | +12.66 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| IYZ | SBIO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.84 | 2.02 | +0.82 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.39 | 0.04 | +0.35 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.30 | 0.25 | +0.05 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.07 | 0.21 | -0.14 |
Drawdowns
IYZ vs. SBIO - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IYZ drawdown since its inception was -77.11%, which is greater than SBIO's maximum drawdown of -63.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IYZ and SBIO.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IYZ | SBIO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -77.11% | -63.06% | -14.05% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.33% | -12.66% | +5.33% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -13.85% | -42.44% | +28.59% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -39.74% | -53.10% | +13.36% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -39.74% | -63.06% | +23.32% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -6.96% | -17.90% | +10.94% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -40.13% | -28.43% | -11.70% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.99% | 4.40% | -2.41% |
Volatility
IYZ vs. SBIO - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF (IYZ) is 8.23%, while ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF (SBIO) has a volatility of 9.87%. This indicates that IYZ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SBIO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| IYZ | SBIO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.23% | 9.87% | -1.64% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 15.34% | 22.68% | -7.34% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 18.43% | 29.62% | -11.19% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.84% | 33.56% | -14.72% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.29% | 33.18% | -13.89% |
IYZ vs. SBIO - Expense Ratio Comparison
IYZ has a 0.42% expense ratio, which is lower than SBIO's 0.50% expense ratio.
Dividends
IYZ vs. SBIO - Dividend Comparison
IYZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.57%, while SBIO has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IYZ iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF | 1.57% | 2.04% | 1.94% | 2.27% | 2.55% | 2.51% | 2.60% | 2.36% | 2.15% | 3.54% | 2.27% | 1.98% |
SBIO ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 3.55% | 0.22% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.04% | 2.79% | 1.77% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
IYZ and SBIO 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.
SBIO has higher volatility (9.87%) compared to IYZ (8.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IYZ dropped -77.11% vs SBIO's -63.06%.
On 10-year performance, SBIO leads with 8.36% vs 5.76% for IYZ. On fees, IYZ is cheaper at 0.42% per year. On volatility, IYZ has been the lower-risk option at 8.23%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, SBIO has performed better with a 8.36% return vs 5.76%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IYZ is cheaper with a 0.42% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for SBIO.
IYZ has the higher dividend yield at 1.57%, compared with 0.00% for SBIO.
IYZ is categorized as Communications Equities, while SBIO is Health & Biotech Equities. IYZ tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Telecommunications Index, while SBIO tracks S-Network Medical Breakthroughs Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and SS&C. Their fees differ too: 0.42% for IYZ and 0.50% for SBIO.
IYZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.84 vs 2.02), 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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