PBPH vs. VHT
PBPH (Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF) and VHT (Vanguard Health Care ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds - PBPH tracks the BITA Global Pharma and Biotech Select Index while VHT tracks the MSCI US Investable Market Health Care 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PBPH charges 0.13%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VHT.
Performance
PBPH vs. VHT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PBPH achieves a 7.32% return, which is significantly higher than VHT's 6.18% return.
PBPH
- 1D
- -1.35%
- 1M
- 4.33%
- 6M
- 5.51%
- YTD
- 7.32%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
VHT
- 1D
- -1.00%
- 1M
- 6.30%
- 6M
- 4.32%
- YTD
- 6.18%
- 1Y
- 23.92%
- 3Y*
- 9.71%
- 5Y*
- 5.40%
- 10Y*
- 10.09%
PBPH vs. VHT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
PBPH Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF | 7.32% | 0.74% |
VHT Vanguard Health Care ETF | 6.18% | -0.13% |
Correlation
The correlation between PBPH and VHT is 0.86, 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 25, 2025 | 0.86 |
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Return for Risk
PBPH vs. VHT — Risk / Return Rank
PBPH
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
VHT
PBPH vs. VHT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF (PBPH) and Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT). 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| PBPH | VHT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | — | 1.26 | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | — | 2.19 | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | — | 5.39 | — |
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Drawdowns
PBPH vs. VHT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PBPH drawdown since its inception was -11.10%, smaller than the maximum VHT drawdown of -39.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PBPH and VHT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PBPH | VHT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -11.10% | -39.12% | +28.02% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | — | -10.40% | — |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -16.91% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -17.71% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -28.85% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.39% | -2.20% | -1.19% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.15% | -5.97% | +1.82% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | — | 4.23% | — |
Volatility
PBPH vs. VHT - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| PBPH | VHT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | — | 5.57% | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | — | 11.30% | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 17.85% | 15.35% | +2.50% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.85% | 15.17% | +2.68% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.85% | 16.97% | +0.88% |
PBPH vs. VHT - Expense Ratio Comparison
PBPH has a 0.13% expense ratio, which is higher than VHT's 0.09% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
PBPH vs. VHT - Dividend Comparison
PBPH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.08%, less than VHT's 1.56% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PBPH Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF | 0.08% | 0.09% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VHT Vanguard Health Care ETF | 1.56% | 1.61% | 1.53% | 1.36% | 1.33% | 1.14% | 1.21% | 1.89% | 1.38% | 1.31% | 1.45% | 1.22% |
Frequently Asked Questions
PBPH and VHT have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, VHT is cheaper at 0.09% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
VHT is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.13% for PBPH.
VHT has the higher dividend yield at 1.56%, compared with 0.08% for PBPH.
PBPH tracks BITA Global Pharma and Biotech Select Index, while VHT tracks MSCI US Investable Market Health Care 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: Portfolio Building Block and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.13% for PBPH and 0.09% for VHT.
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