PBPH vs. XPH

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

PBPH (Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF) and XPH (SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds - PBPH tracks the BITA Global Pharma and Biotech Select Index while XPH tracks the S&P Pharmaceuticals Select Industry Index. Both are passively managed. A 0.56 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PBPH charges 0.13%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for XPH.

Performance

PBPH vs. XPH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF (PBPH) and SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF (XPH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PBPH achieves a 7.57% return, which is significantly lower than XPH's 20.41% return.

PBPH

• 1D: 1.60%
• 1M: 5.78%
• 6M: 6.38%
• YTD: 7.57%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

XPH

• 1D: -0.97%
• 1M: 11.87%
• 6M: 20.37%
• YTD: 20.41%
• 1Y: 60.23%
• 3Y*: 19.29%
• 5Y*: 7.76%
• 10Y*: 5.30%

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

PBPH vs. XPH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
PBPH Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF	7.57%	0.74%
XPH SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF	20.41%	5.32%

Correlation

The correlation between PBPH and XPH is 0.56, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 25, 2025	0.56

Return for Risk

PBPH vs. XPH — Risk / Return Rank

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

PBPH

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

XPH

XPH Risk / Return Rank: 92
XPH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
XPH Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
XPH Omega Ratio Rank: 88
XPH Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
XPH Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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.

PBPH vs. XPH - 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 SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF (XPH). 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	XPH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	2.71	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	3.61	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.43	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	5.06	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	17.97	—

Drawdowns

PBPH vs. XPH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PBPH drawdown since its inception was -11.10%, smaller than the maximum XPH drawdown of -48.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PBPH and XPH.

Drawdown Indicators

	PBPH	XPH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.10%	-48.03%	+36.93%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-11.97%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-23.57%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-31.63%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.97%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.16%	-3.93%	+0.77%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.15%	-17.16%	+13.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	3.36%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	PBPH	XPH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	7.19%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	17.41%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.85%	22.35%	-4.50%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.85%	21.07%	-3.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.85%	22.10%	-4.25%

PBPH vs. XPH - Expense Ratio Comparison

PBPH has a 0.13% expense ratio, which is lower than XPH's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

PBPH vs. XPH - Dividend Comparison

PBPH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.08%, less than XPH's 0.50% 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%
XPH SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF	0.50%	0.83%	1.58%	1.28%	1.64%	0.95%	0.47%	0.64%	0.65%	0.67%	0.63%	7.15%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PBPH and XPH in my portfolio?

PBPH and XPH have a correlation of 0.56, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, PBPH or XPH?

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, PBPH or XPH?

PBPH is cheaper with a 0.13% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for XPH.

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

XPH has the higher dividend yield at 0.50%, compared with 0.08% for PBPH.

What is the main difference between PBPH and XPH?

PBPH tracks BITA Global Pharma and Biotech Select Index, while XPH tracks S&P Pharmaceuticals Select Industry Index. They also come from different issuers: Portfolio Building Block and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.13% for PBPH and 0.35% for XPH.