SBIO vs. XLB

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

SBIO (ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF) and XLB (Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SBIO is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the S-Network Medical Breakthroughs Index, while XLB is a Materials fund tracking the Materials Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SBIO returned 8.36%/yr vs 9.85%/yr for XLB. At a 0.41 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SBIO charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for XLB.

Performance

SBIO vs. XLB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF (SBIO) and Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SBIO achieves a -1.72% return, which is significantly lower than XLB's 10.66% return. Over the past 10 years, SBIO has underperformed XLB with an annualized return of 8.36%, while XLB has yielded a comparatively higher 9.85% annualized return.

SBIO

• 1D: -0.36%
• 1M: -9.33%
• YTD: -1.72%
• 6M: -2.48%
• 1Y: 59.38%
• 3Y*: 16.69%
• 5Y*: 1.33%
• 10Y*: 8.36%

XLB

• 1D: -1.32%
• 1M: -3.16%
• YTD: 10.66%
• 6M: 16.01%
• 1Y: 16.06%
• 3Y*: 10.29%
• 5Y*: 5.04%
• 10Y*: 9.85%

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

SBIO vs. XLB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SBIO ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF	-1.72%	55.07%	3.81%	8.68%	-28.08%	-17.55%	21.17%	50.30%	-11.81%	45.67%
XLB Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF	10.66%	9.94%	0.15%	12.46%	-12.30%	27.44%	20.46%	24.13%	-14.88%	24.01%

Correlation

The correlation between SBIO and XLB is 0.32, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.32
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.40
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.42
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2015	0.41

The correlation between SBIO and XLB shifts across timeframes, from 0.32 (1 year) to 0.42 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SBIO vs. XLB - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SBIO	XLB
Healthcare	100.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	87.6%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	12.4%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Industrials	-	1.5%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-
Financial Services	-0.0%	-

Return for Risk

SBIO vs. XLB — Risk / Return Rank

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

SBIO

SBIO Risk / Return Rank: 73
SBIO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
SBIO Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
SBIO Omega Ratio Rank: 60
SBIO Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
SBIO Martin Ratio Rank: 78

XLB

XLB Risk / Return Rank: 29
XLB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
XLB Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
XLB Omega Ratio Rank: 27
XLB Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
XLB Martin Ratio Rank: 30

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.

SBIO vs. XLB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF (SBIO) and Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB). 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.

	SBIO	XLB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.02	0.95	+1.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.85	1.43	+1.41
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.17	+0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.72	1.30	+3.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.54	4.02	+9.52
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SBIO vs. XLB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SBIO Sharpe Ratio is 2.02, which is higher than the XLB Sharpe Ratio of 0.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SBIO and XLB, 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

	SBIO	XLB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.02	0.95	+1.06
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.04	0.27	-0.23
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.25	0.48	-0.23
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.21	0.35	-0.14

Drawdowns

SBIO vs. XLB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SBIO drawdown since its inception was -63.06%, which is greater than XLB's maximum drawdown of -59.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SBIO and XLB.

Drawdown Indicators

	SBIO	XLB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.06%	-59.83%	-3.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.66%	-12.38%	-0.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-42.44%	-23.17%	-19.27%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-53.10%	-24.72%	-28.38%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-63.06%	-37.27%	-25.79%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-17.90%	-6.41%	-11.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-28.43%	-10.84%	-17.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.40%	4.00%	+0.40%

Volatility

SBIO vs. XLB - Volatility Comparison

ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF (SBIO) has a higher volatility of 9.87% compared to Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB) at 5.32%. This indicates that SBIO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SBIO	XLB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.87%	5.32%	+4.55%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.68%	13.02%	+9.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	29.62%	16.95%	+12.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	33.56%	18.96%	+14.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	33.18%	20.66%	+12.52%

SBIO vs. XLB - Expense Ratio Comparison

SBIO has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than XLB's 0.13% expense ratio.

Dividends

SBIO vs. XLB - Dividend Comparison

SBIO has not paid dividends to shareholders, while XLB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.75%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SBIO ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF	0.00%	0.00%	3.55%	0.22%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.04%	2.79%	1.77%	0.00%	0.00%
XLB Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF	1.75%	1.92%	1.92%	2.00%	2.26%	1.62%	1.72%	1.98%	2.20%	1.66%	1.95%	2.24%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SBIO and XLB in my portfolio?

SBIO and XLB have a correlation of 0.32, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SBIO or XLB?

SBIO has higher volatility (9.87%) compared to XLB (5.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SBIO dropped -63.06% vs XLB's -59.83%.

Which ETF is better, SBIO or XLB?

On 10-year performance, XLB leads with 9.85% vs 8.36% for SBIO. On fees, XLB is cheaper at 0.13% per year. On volatility, XLB has been the lower-risk option at 5.32%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SBIO or XLB?

Over the 10-year period, XLB has performed better with a 9.85% return vs 8.36%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SBIO or XLB?

XLB is cheaper with a 0.13% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for SBIO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SBIO or XLB?

XLB has the higher dividend yield at 1.75%, compared with 0.00% for SBIO.

What is the main difference between SBIO and XLB?

SBIO is categorized as Health & Biotech Equities, while XLB is Materials. SBIO tracks S-Network Medical Breakthroughs Index, while XLB tracks Materials Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: SS&C and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for SBIO and 0.13% for XLB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SBIO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.02 vs 0.95), 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.