PSIL vs. XBI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PSIL (AdvisorShares Psychedelics ETF) and XBI (SPDR S&P Biotech ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds. PSIL is actively managed, while XBI is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, PSIL returned 9.55%/yr vs 14.73%/yr for XBI. A 0.50 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PSIL charges 1.00%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for XBI.

Performance

PSIL vs. XBI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AdvisorShares Psychedelics ETF (PSIL) and SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (XBI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PSIL achieves a 20.15% return, which is significantly higher than XBI's 6.48% return.

PSIL

• 1D: -2.57%
• 1M: 1.88%
• YTD: 20.15%
• 6M: 23.74%
• 1Y: 65.52%
• 3Y*: 9.55%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

XBI

• 1D: 1.62%
• 1M: -2.75%
• YTD: 6.48%
• 6M: 6.92%
• 1Y: 58.25%
• 3Y*: 14.73%
• 5Y*: 0.59%
• 10Y*: 8.53%

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

PSIL vs. XBI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
PSIL AdvisorShares Psychedelics ETF	20.15%	74.55%	-19.50%	-25.12%	-67.24%	-41.98%
XBI SPDR S&P Biotech ETF	6.48%	35.89%	1.01%	7.60%	-25.87%	-14.53%

Correlation

The correlation between PSIL and XBI is 0.57, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.57
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.49
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 17, 2021	0.50

The correlation between PSIL and XBI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.49 to 0.57 - a consistent structural relationship.

PSIL vs. XBI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PSIL	XBI
Healthcare	100.0%	99.8%
Basic Materials	-	0.2%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	0.2%
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

PSIL vs. XBI — Risk / Return Rank

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

PSIL

PSIL Risk / Return Rank: 48
PSIL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
PSIL Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
PSIL Omega Ratio Rank: 43
PSIL Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
PSIL Martin Ratio Rank: 43

XBI

XBI Risk / Return Rank: 74
XBI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
XBI Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
XBI Omega Ratio Rank: 60
XBI Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
XBI Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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.

PSIL vs. XBI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AdvisorShares Psychedelics ETF (PSIL) and SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (XBI). 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.

	PSIL	XBI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.58	2.30	-0.72
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.14	3.16	-1.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.38	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.23	6.02	-2.79
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.82	18.30	-11.47
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PSIL vs. XBI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSIL Sharpe Ratio is 1.58, which is lower than the XBI Sharpe Ratio of 2.30. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSIL and XBI, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	PSIL	XBI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.58	2.30	-0.72
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.02	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.27	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.42	0.36	-0.77

Drawdowns

PSIL vs. XBI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSIL drawdown since its inception was -92.72%, which is greater than XBI's maximum drawdown of -63.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSIL and XBI.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSIL	XBI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-92.72%	-63.89%	-28.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-20.38%	-9.72%	-10.66%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-64.62%	-32.99%	-31.63%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-54.71%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-63.89%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-76.63%	-24.96%	-51.67%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-76.76%	-20.93%	-55.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.63%	3.19%	+6.44%

Volatility

PSIL vs. XBI - Volatility Comparison

AdvisorShares Psychedelics ETF (PSIL) has a higher volatility of 9.76% compared to SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (XBI) at 9.26%. This indicates that PSIL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XBI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PSIL	XBI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.76%	9.26%	+0.50%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	27.89%	20.18%	+7.71%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	41.80%	25.50%	+16.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	63.15%	32.18%	+30.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	63.15%	32.00%	+31.15%

PSIL vs. XBI - Expense Ratio Comparison

PSIL has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is higher than XBI's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

PSIL vs. XBI - Dividend Comparison

PSIL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.32%, more than XBI's 0.34% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PSIL AdvisorShares Psychedelics ETF	8.32%	10.95%	1.49%	0.24%	2.91%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XBI SPDR S&P Biotech ETF	0.34%	0.37%	0.15%	0.02%	0.00%	0.04%	0.20%	0.00%	0.28%	0.24%	0.26%	0.61%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PSIL and XBI in my portfolio?

PSIL and XBI have a correlation of 0.57, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PSIL or XBI?

PSIL has higher volatility (9.76%) compared to XBI (9.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSIL dropped -92.72% vs XBI's -63.89%.

Which ETF is better, PSIL or XBI?

On 3-year performance, XBI leads with 14.73% vs 9.55% for PSIL. On fees, XBI is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, XBI has been the lower-risk option at 9.26%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PSIL or XBI?

Over the 3-year period, XBI has performed better with a 14.73% return vs 9.55%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PSIL or XBI?

XBI is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 1.00% for PSIL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PSIL or XBI?

PSIL has the higher dividend yield at 8.32%, compared with 0.34% for XBI.

What is the main difference between PSIL and XBI?

They also come from different issuers: AdvisorShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 1.00% for PSIL and 0.35% for XBI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XBI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.30 vs 1.58), 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.