PRHSX vs. XLV
PRHSX (T. Rowe Price Health Sciences Fund) and XLV (State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, PRHSX returned 10.91%/yr vs 9.57%/yr for XLV. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PRHSX charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLV.
Performance
PRHSX vs. XLV - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PRHSX achieves a -1.16% return, which is significantly higher than XLV's -3.09% return. Over the past 10 years, PRHSX has outperformed XLV with an annualized return of 10.91%, while XLV has yielded a comparatively lower 9.57% annualized return.
PRHSX
- 1D
- -0.27%
- 1M
- 3.64%
- YTD
- -1.16%
- 6M
- 0.35%
- 1Y
- 21.93%
- 3Y*
- 6.43%
- 5Y*
- 2.69%
- 10Y*
- 10.91%
XLV
- 1D
- -0.87%
- 1M
- 1.41%
- YTD
- -3.09%
- 6M
- -2.12%
- 1Y
- 14.13%
- 3Y*
- 5.91%
- 5Y*
- 5.53%
- 10Y*
- 9.57%
PRHSX vs. XLV - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PRHSX T. Rowe Price Health Sciences Fund | -1.16% | 17.75% | 1.82% | 3.03% | -12.22% | 13.50% | 30.19% | 37.88% | 1.08% | 28.04% |
XLV State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF | -3.09% | 14.50% | 2.47% | 2.07% | -2.08% | 26.04% | 13.30% | 20.45% | 6.28% | 21.77% |
Correlation
The correlation between PRHSX and XLV 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 (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.86 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.84 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.85 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.85 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 22, 1998 | 0.79 |
The correlation between PRHSX and XLV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
PRHSX vs. XLV — Risk / Return Rank
PRHSX
XLV
PRHSX vs. XLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Health Sciences Fund (PRHSX) 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.
| PRHSX | XLV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.48 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.61 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.25 | 1.17 | +0.08 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.75 | 1.36 | +0.39 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.92 | 3.22 | +1.70 |
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Drawdowns
PRHSX vs. XLV - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PRHSX drawdown since its inception was -42.96%, which is greater than XLV's maximum drawdown of -39.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PRHSX and XLV.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PRHSX | XLV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -42.96% | -39.17% | -3.79% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -12.81% | -10.47% | -2.34% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -21.00% | -17.11% | -3.89% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -27.61% | -17.11% | -10.50% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -28.97% | -28.40% | -0.57% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.27% | -6.36% | +2.09% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.74% | -7.12% | -1.62% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.54% | 4.40% | +0.14% |
Volatility
PRHSX vs. XLV - Volatility Comparison
T. Rowe Price Health Sciences Fund (PRHSX) and State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) have volatilities of 5.22% and 5.08%, 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.
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Volatility by Period
| PRHSX | XLV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.22% | 5.08% | +0.14% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.22% | 10.55% | +1.67% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.74% | 15.02% | +0.72% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.28% | 14.76% | +2.52% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.27% | 16.58% | +2.69% |
PRHSX vs. XLV - Expense Ratio Comparison
PRHSX has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is higher than XLV's 0.08% expense ratio.
Dividends
PRHSX vs. XLV - Dividend Comparison
PRHSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.23%, more than XLV's 1.68% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PRHSX T. Rowe Price Health Sciences Fund | 12.23% | 12.09% | 12.89% | 5.21% | 1.77% | 7.46% | 7.16% | 12.29% | 6.57% | 7.43% | 4.55% | 11.34% |
XLV State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF | 1.68% | 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
PRHSX and XLV 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.
PRHSX has higher volatility (5.22%) compared to XLV (5.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PRHSX dropped -42.96% vs XLV's -39.17%.
PRHSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.43 vs 0.94), 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.
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