PPH vs. XLV

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

PPH (VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF) and XLV (State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds - PPH tracks the MVIS US Listed Pharmaceutical 25 Index while XLV tracks the Health Care Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, PPH returned 8.52%/yr vs 10.01%/yr for XLV. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PPH charges 0.36%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLV.

Performance

PPH vs. XLV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF (PPH) and State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PPH achieves a 2.92% return, which is significantly higher than XLV's -0.85% return. Over the past 10 years, PPH has underperformed XLV with an annualized return of 8.52%, while XLV has yielded a comparatively higher 10.01% annualized return.

PPH

• 1D: 1.79%
• 1M: 0.31%
• YTD: 2.92%
• 6M: 2.77%
• 1Y: 23.31%
• 3Y*: 12.54%
• 5Y*: 9.67%
• 10Y*: 8.52%

XLV

• 1D: 1.41%
• 1M: 1.98%
• YTD: -0.85%
• 6M: -0.97%
• 1Y: 17.16%
• 3Y*: 6.63%
• 5Y*: 5.69%
• 10Y*: 10.01%

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

PPH vs. XLV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PPH VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF	2.92%	22.00%	8.05%	6.95%	2.64%	17.79%	5.49%	19.39%	-5.89%	15.23%
XLV State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF	-0.85%	14.50%	2.47%	2.07%	-2.08%	26.04%	13.30%	20.45%	6.28%	21.77%

Correlation

The correlation between PPH and XLV is 0.89, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 1, 2000	0.79

The correlation between PPH and XLV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

PPH vs. XLV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PPH	XLV
Healthcare	100.0%	100.0%
Industrials	0.1%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

PPH vs. XLV — Risk / Return Rank

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

PPH

PPH Risk / Return Rank: 40
PPH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
PPH Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
PPH Omega Ratio Rank: 37
PPH Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
PPH Martin Ratio Rank: 36

XLV

XLV Risk / Return Rank: 32
XLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
XLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
XLV Omega Ratio Rank: 31
XLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
XLV Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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.

PPH vs. XLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF (PPH) and State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV). 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	XLV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.33	1.14	+0.18
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.07	1.81	+0.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.20	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.18	1.65	+0.53
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.30	3.89	+1.41

PPH vs. XLV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PPH Sharpe Ratio is 1.33, which is comparable to the XLV Sharpe Ratio of 1.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PPH and XLV, 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. XLV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PPH drawdown since its inception was -51.45%, which is greater than XLV's maximum drawdown of -39.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PPH and XLV.

Drawdown Indicators

	PPH	XLV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.45%	-39.17%	-12.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.76%	-10.47%	-0.29%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.06%	-17.11%	-0.95%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.26%	-17.11%	-3.15%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-29.70%	-28.40%	-1.30%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.94%	-4.20%	-0.74%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.29%	-7.12%	-10.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.41%	4.42%	-0.01%

Volatility

PPH vs. XLV - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF (PPH) has a higher volatility of 6.27% compared to State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) at 5.27%. This indicates that PPH's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PPH	XLV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.27%	5.27%	+1.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.27%	10.68%	+1.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.66%	15.09%	+2.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.17%	14.77%	+0.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.98%	16.57%	+0.41%

PPH vs. XLV - Expense Ratio Comparison

PPH has a 0.36% expense ratio, which is higher than XLV's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

PPH vs. XLV - Dividend Comparison

PPH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.05%, more than XLV's 1.66% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PPH VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF	2.05%	1.78%	1.98%	2.09%	1.55%	1.62%	1.66%	1.77%	1.97%	1.92%	2.43%	1.93%
XLV State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF	1.66%	1.60%	1.67%	1.59%	1.47%	1.33%	1.49%	2.17%	1.57%	1.47%	1.60%	1.43%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PPH and XLV in my portfolio?

PPH and XLV have a correlation of 0.89, 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 XLV?

PPH has higher volatility (6.27%) compared to XLV (5.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PPH dropped -51.45% vs XLV's -39.17%.

Which ETF is better, PPH or XLV?

On 10-year performance, XLV leads with 10.01% vs 8.52% for PPH. On fees, XLV is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLV has been the lower-risk option at 5.27%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PPH or XLV?

Over the 10-year period, XLV has performed better with a 10.01% return vs 8.52%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PPH or XLV?

XLV is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.36% for PPH.

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

PPH has the higher dividend yield at 2.05%, compared with 1.66% for XLV.

What is the main difference between PPH and XLV?

PPH tracks MVIS US Listed Pharmaceutical 25 Index, while XLV tracks Health Care Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.36% for PPH and 0.08% for XLV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PPH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.33 vs 1.14), 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.