PBE vs. BBC

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PBE (Invesco Dynamic Biotechnology & Genome ETF) and BBC (Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds - PBE tracks the Dynamic Biotech & Genome Intellidex Index (AMEX) while BBC tracks the LifeSci Biotechnology Clinical Trials Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, PBE returned 7.55%/yr vs 7.64%/yr for BBC. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PBE charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for BBC.

Performance

PBE vs. BBC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco Dynamic Biotechnology & Genome ETF (PBE) and Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF (BBC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PBE achieves a 0.58% return, which is significantly lower than BBC's 8.64% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with PBE having a 7.55% annualized return and BBC not far ahead at 7.64%.

PBE

• 1D: 2.04%
• 1M: 2.68%
• YTD: 0.58%
• 6M: 1.15%
• 1Y: 30.26%
• 3Y*: 10.44%
• 5Y*: 3.06%
• 10Y*: 7.55%

BBC

• 1D: 0.43%
• 1M: -6.52%
• YTD: 8.64%
• 6M: 14.08%
• 1Y: 116.78%
• 3Y*: 19.99%
• 5Y*: -1.96%
• 10Y*: 7.64%

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

PBE vs. BBC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PBE Invesco Dynamic Biotechnology & Genome ETF	0.58%	24.84%	1.10%	3.71%	-10.83%	1.54%	25.66%	18.65%	-0.19%	22.28%
BBC Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF	8.64%	63.77%	-1.11%	-1.80%	-35.13%	-22.31%	30.32%	63.81%	-18.29%	57.85%

Correlation

The correlation between PBE and BBC is 0.63, 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	0.63
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.71
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 18, 2014	0.82

The correlation between PBE and BBC shifts across timeframes, from 0.63 (1 year) to 0.82 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

PBE vs. BBC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PBE	BBC
Healthcare	100.0%	100.0%
Financial Services	0.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

PBE vs. BBC — Risk / Return Rank

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

PBE

PBE Risk / Return Rank: 47
PBE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
PBE Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
PBE Omega Ratio Rank: 44
PBE Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
PBE Martin Ratio Rank: 44

BBC

BBC Risk / Return Rank: 89
BBC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
BBC Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
BBC Omega Ratio Rank: 77
BBC Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
BBC Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

PBE vs. BBC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco Dynamic Biotechnology & Genome ETF (PBE) and Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF (BBC). 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.

	PBE	BBC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.63	3.32	-1.70
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.44	3.98	-1.53
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.46	-0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.59	7.78	-5.19
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.27	24.80	-17.53
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PBE vs. BBC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PBE Sharpe Ratio is 1.63, which is lower than the BBC Sharpe Ratio of 3.32. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PBE and BBC, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	PBE	BBC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.63	3.32	-1.70
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.14	-0.05	+0.19
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.30	0.20	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.32	0.12	+0.21

Drawdowns

PBE vs. BBC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PBE drawdown since its inception was -45.69%, smaller than the maximum BBC drawdown of -76.85%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PBE and BBC.

Drawdown Indicators

	PBE	BBC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.69%	-76.85%	+31.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.73%	-15.10%	+3.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.43%	-54.45%	+32.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.71%	-72.44%	+37.73%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.84%	-76.85%	+39.01%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.62%	-30.27%	+26.65%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.24%	-37.14%	+20.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.17%	4.73%	-0.56%

Volatility

PBE vs. BBC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Invesco Dynamic Biotechnology & Genome ETF (PBE) is 5.63%, while Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF (BBC) has a volatility of 10.93%. This indicates that PBE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BBC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PBE	BBC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.63%	10.93%	-5.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.27%	26.43%	-13.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.71%	35.50%	-16.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.54%	39.31%	-16.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.92%	37.74%	-12.82%

PBE vs. BBC - Expense Ratio Comparison

PBE has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is lower than BBC's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

PBE vs. BBC - Dividend Comparison

PBE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.05%, less than BBC's 1.56% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BBC Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF	1.56%	1.70%	1.00%	0.34%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	2.09%	0.00%	0.51%
PBE Invesco Dynamic Biotechnology & Genome ETF	1.05%	1.00%	0.05%	0.02%	0.00%	0.00%	0.04%	0.00%	0.00%	0.57%	0.38%	1.12%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PBE and BBC in my portfolio?

PBE and BBC have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PBE or BBC?

BBC has higher volatility (10.93%) compared to PBE (5.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PBE dropped -45.69% vs BBC's -76.85%.

Which ETF is better, PBE or BBC?

On 10-year performance, BBC leads with 7.64% vs 7.55% for PBE. On fees, PBE is cheaper at 0.59% per year. On volatility, PBE has been the lower-risk option at 5.63%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PBE or BBC?

Over the 10-year period, BBC has performed better with a 7.64% return vs 7.55%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PBE or BBC?

PBE is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for BBC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PBE or BBC?

BBC has the higher dividend yield at 1.56%, compared with 1.05% for PBE.

What is the main difference between PBE and BBC?

PBE tracks Dynamic Biotech & Genome Intellidex Index (AMEX), while BBC tracks LifeSci Biotechnology Clinical Trials Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and Virtus Investment Partners. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for PBE and 0.79% for BBC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BBC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.32 vs 1.63), 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.