PHRAX vs. SHSAX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

PHRAX (Virtus Duff & Phelps Real Estate Securities Fund) and SHSAX (BlackRock Health Sciences Opportunities Portfolio) are both mutual funds - PHRAX is a REIT fund managed by Virtus, while SHSAX is a Health & Biotech Equities fund managed by BlackRock. Over the past 10 years, PHRAX returned 6.36%/yr vs 10.05%/yr for SHSAX. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PHRAX charges 1.36%/yr vs 1.09%/yr for SHSAX.

Performance

PHRAX vs. SHSAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus Duff & Phelps Real Estate Securities Fund (PHRAX) and BlackRock Health Sciences Opportunities Portfolio (SHSAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PHRAX achieves a 15.62% return, which is significantly higher than SHSAX's -1.61% return. Over the past 10 years, PHRAX has underperformed SHSAX with an annualized return of 6.36%, while SHSAX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.05% annualized return.

PHRAX

• 1D: 1.39%
• 1M: 0.47%
• YTD: 15.62%
• 6M: 16.01%
• 1Y: 14.04%
• 3Y*: 12.52%
• 5Y*: 4.42%
• 10Y*: 6.36%

SHSAX

• 1D: 1.37%
• 1M: 1.76%
• YTD: -1.61%
• 6M: -2.20%
• 1Y: 17.76%
• 3Y*: 6.60%
• 5Y*: 3.86%
• 10Y*: 10.05%

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

PHRAX vs. SHSAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PHRAX Virtus Duff & Phelps Real Estate Securities Fund	15.62%	0.23%	10.15%	10.98%	-26.33%	46.79%	-1.98%	27.09%	-7.41%	5.65%
SHSAX BlackRock Health Sciences Opportunities Portfolio	-1.61%	15.85%	3.73%	3.59%	-5.94%	11.88%	19.44%	25.27%	7.93%	24.74%

Correlation

The correlation between PHRAX and SHSAX is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.40
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.52
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2000	0.52

The correlation between PHRAX and SHSAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.40 (1 year) to 0.58 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PHRAX vs. SHSAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PHRAX

PHRAX Risk / Return Rank: 22
PHRAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
PHRAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
PHRAX Omega Ratio Rank: 17
PHRAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
PHRAX Martin Ratio Rank: 26

SHSAX

SHSAX Risk / Return Rank: 23
SHSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
SHSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
SHSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 21
SHSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
SHSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 18

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.

PHRAX vs. SHSAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus Duff & Phelps Real Estate Securities Fund (PHRAX) and BlackRock Health Sciences Opportunities Portfolio (SHSAX). 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.

	PHRAX	SHSAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.13	1.27	-0.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.56	1.95	-0.39
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.22	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.97	1.82	+0.15
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.73	4.39	+1.34

PHRAX vs. SHSAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PHRAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.13, which is comparable to the SHSAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PHRAX and SHSAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

PHRAX vs. SHSAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PHRAX drawdown since its inception was -72.56%, which is greater than SHSAX's maximum drawdown of -35.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PHRAX and SHSAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PHRAX	SHSAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-72.56%	-35.49%	-37.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.83%	-9.87%	+2.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.09%	-16.08%	-3.01%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.51%	-17.99%	-15.52%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.00%	-28.36%	-13.64%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.04%	-4.44%	+3.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.35%	-6.17%	-5.18%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.69%	4.09%	-1.40%

Volatility

PHRAX vs. SHSAX - Volatility Comparison

Virtus Duff & Phelps Real Estate Securities Fund (PHRAX) and BlackRock Health Sciences Opportunities Portfolio (SHSAX) have volatilities of 5.14% and 5.09%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PHRAX	SHSAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.14%	5.09%	+0.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.16%	10.73%	-0.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.75%	14.22%	-0.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.11%	14.44%	+4.67%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.02%	16.57%	+4.45%

PHRAX vs. SHSAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PHRAX has a 1.36% expense ratio, which is higher than SHSAX's 1.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

PHRAX vs. SHSAX - Dividend Comparison

PHRAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.06%, less than SHSAX's 10.81% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PHRAX Virtus Duff & Phelps Real Estate Securities Fund	5.06%	5.93%	8.39%	12.35%	11.12%	4.45%	5.58%	21.34%	19.03%	18.54%	21.22%	20.04%
SHSAX BlackRock Health Sciences Opportunities Portfolio	10.81%	10.63%	9.18%	3.84%	7.44%	9.20%	4.34%	3.89%	8.56%	3.53%	2.43%	12.58%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PHRAX and SHSAX in my portfolio?

PHRAX and SHSAX have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PHRAX or SHSAX?

PHRAX has higher volatility (5.14%) compared to SHSAX (5.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PHRAX dropped -72.56% vs SHSAX's -35.49%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SHSAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.27 vs 1.13), 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.