PPH vs. HODL

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

PPH (VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF) and HODL (VanEck Bitcoin Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - PPH is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the MVIS US Listed Pharmaceutical 25 Index, while HODL is a Cryptocurrency fund tracking the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, PPH returned 31.28% vs -43.61% for HODL. Their 0.07 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. PPH charges 0.36%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for HODL.

Performance

PPH vs. HODL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF (PPH) and VanEck Bitcoin Trust (HODL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PPH achieves a 6.76% return, which is significantly higher than HODL's -27.01% return.

PPH

• 1D: -1.60%
• 1M: -2.48%
• 6M: 1.87%
• YTD: 6.76%
• 1Y: 31.28%
• 3Y*: 13.22%
• 5Y*: 9.77%
• 10Y*: 7.89%
• ALL TIME*: 5.70%

HODL

• 1D: 1.52%
• 1M: 3.91%
• 6M: -18.14%
• YTD: -27.01%
• 1Y: -43.61%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 11.06%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
HODL VanEck Bitcoin Trust	$18.51M	$17.76M	$22.96M
PPH VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF	$27.28M	$26.89M	$27.29M

PPH vs. HODL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
PPH VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF	6.76%	22.00%	2.60%
HODL VanEck Bitcoin Trust	-27.01%	-6.42%	91.50%

Correlation

The correlation between PPH and HODL is 0.05, meaning there was essentially no consistent relationship between their historical price movements. Each responded to its own set of market drivers.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.05
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 11, 2024	0.07

Return for Risk

PPH vs. HODL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

PPH

PPH Risk / Return Rank: 74
PPH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
PPH Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
PPH Omega Ratio Rank: 72
PPH Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
PPH Martin Ratio Rank: 60

HODL

HODL Risk / Return Rank: 2
HODL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
HODL Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
HODL Omega Ratio Rank: 2
HODL Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
HODL Martin Ratio Rank: 3

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

PPH vs. HODL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF (PPH) and VanEck Bitcoin Trust (HODL). 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.

	PPH	HODL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.76	-0.99	+2.75
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.74	-1.45	+4.18
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	0.84	+0.47
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.92	-0.82	+3.74
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.38	-1.26	+8.64

PPH vs. HODL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PPH Sharpe Ratio is 1.76, which is higher than the HODL Sharpe Ratio of -0.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PPH and HODL, 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

PPH vs. HODL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PPH drawdown since its inception was -51.45%, roughly equal to the maximum HODL drawdown of -53.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PPH and HODL.

Drawdown Indicators

	PPH	HODL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.45%	-53.20%	+1.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.76%	-53.20%	+42.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.06%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.26%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-29.70%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.35%	-49.14%	+44.79%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.22%	-18.22%	+1.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.25%	34.70%	-30.45%

Volatility

PPH vs. HODL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF (PPH) is 5.91%, while VanEck Bitcoin Trust (HODL) has a volatility of 8.96%. This indicates that PPH experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than HODL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PPH	HODL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.91%	8.96%	-3.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.58%	33.76%	-20.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.90%	44.33%	-26.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.44%	49.25%	-33.81%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.07%	49.25%	-32.18%

PPH vs. HODL - Expense Ratio Comparison

PPH has a 0.36% expense ratio, which is higher than HODL's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

PPH vs. HODL - Dividend Comparison

PPH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.00%, while HODL has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HODL VanEck Bitcoin Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PPH VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF	2.00%	1.78%	1.98%	2.09%	1.55%	1.62%	1.66%	1.77%	1.97%	1.92%	2.43%	1.93%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PPH and HODL in my portfolio?

PPH and HODL have a correlation of 0.05, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PPH or HODL?

HODL has higher volatility (8.96%) compared to PPH (5.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PPH dropped -51.45% vs HODL's -53.20%.

Which ETF is better, PPH or HODL?

On 1-year performance, PPH leads with 31.28% vs -43.61% for HODL. On fees, HODL is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, PPH has been the lower-risk option at 5.91%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PPH or HODL?

Over the 1-year period, PPH has performed better with a 31.28% return vs -43.61%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PPH or HODL?

HODL is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.36% for PPH.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PPH or HODL?

PPH has the higher dividend yield at 2.00%, compared with 0.00% for HODL.

What is the main difference between PPH and HODL?

PPH is categorized as Health & Biotech Equities, while HODL is Cryptocurrency. PPH tracks MVIS US Listed Pharmaceutical 25 Index, while HODL tracks CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant. Their fees differ too: 0.36% for PPH and 0.25% for HODL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PPH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.76 vs -0.99), 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.