THQ vs. XLV

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

THQ (Abrdn Healthcare Opportunities Fund) and XLV (State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, THQ returned 9.21%/yr vs 9.12%/yr for XLV. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. THQ charges 1.47%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLV.

Performance

THQ vs. XLV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Abrdn Healthcare Opportunities Fund (THQ) 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, THQ achieves a -2.45% return, which is significantly higher than XLV's -5.04% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with THQ having a 9.21% annualized return and XLV not far behind at 9.12%.

THQ

• 1D: -3.21%
• 1M: -3.27%
• YTD: -2.45%
• 6M: 0.36%
• 1Y: 9.16%
• 3Y*: 9.10%
• 5Y*: 3.43%
• 10Y*: 9.21%

XLV

• 1D: -0.97%
• 1M: 0.85%
• YTD: -5.04%
• 6M: -4.36%
• 1Y: 12.27%
• 3Y*: 5.70%
• 5Y*: 5.45%
• 10Y*: 9.12%

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

THQ vs. XLV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
THQ Abrdn Healthcare Opportunities Fund	-2.45%	13.88%	15.51%	-1.62%	-17.53%	33.39%	15.20%	22.70%	3.41%	21.84%
XLV State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF	-5.04%	14.50%	2.47%	2.07%	-2.08%	26.04%	13.30%	20.45%	6.28%	21.77%

Correlation

The correlation between THQ and XLV is 0.70, 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	0.70
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.75
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 30, 2014	0.74

The correlation between THQ and XLV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

THQ vs. XLV — Risk / Return Rank

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

THQ

THQ Risk / Return Rank: 6
THQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
THQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
THQ Omega Ratio Rank: 6
THQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
THQ Martin Ratio Rank: 5

XLV

XLV Risk / Return Rank: 24
XLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
XLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
XLV Omega Ratio Rank: 23
XLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
XLV Martin Ratio Rank: 22

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.

THQ vs. XLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Abrdn Healthcare Opportunities Fund (THQ) 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.

	THQ	XLV	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.50	0.84	-0.34
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.84	1.36	-0.52
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.10	1.15	-0.05
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.54	1.18	-0.63
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	1.50	2.87	-1.37
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

THQ vs. XLV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current THQ Sharpe Ratio is 0.50, which is lower than the XLV Sharpe Ratio of 0.84. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of THQ 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	THQ	XLV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.50	0.84	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.18	0.37	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45	0.55	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.36	0.46	-0.10

Drawdowns

THQ vs. XLV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum THQ drawdown since its inception was -39.35%, roughly equal to the maximum XLV drawdown of -39.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for THQ and XLV.

Drawdown Indicators

	THQ	XLV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.35%	-39.17%	-0.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.25%	-10.47%	-6.78%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.86%	-17.11%	-8.75%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.20%	-17.11%	-15.09%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.35%	-28.40%	-10.95%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.66%	-8.24%	+0.58%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.63%	-7.12%	-1.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.27%	4.30%	+1.97%

Volatility

THQ vs. XLV - Volatility Comparison

Abrdn Healthcare Opportunities Fund (THQ) has a higher volatility of 5.44% compared to State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) at 4.05%. This indicates that THQ'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

	THQ	XLV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.44%	4.05%	+1.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.92%	10.32%	+2.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.24%	14.65%	+3.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.03%	14.69%	+4.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.48%	16.55%	+3.93%

THQ vs. XLV - Expense Ratio Comparison

THQ has a 1.47% expense ratio, which is higher than XLV's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

THQ vs. XLV - Dividend Comparison

THQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.15%, more than XLV's 1.71% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
THQ Abrdn Healthcare Opportunities Fund	12.15%	11.29%	11.09%	7.45%	6.81%	5.27%	6.62%	7.08%	8.05%	7.71%	8.70%	9.50%
XLV State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF	1.71%	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 THQ and XLV in my portfolio?

THQ and XLV have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, THQ or XLV?

THQ has higher volatility (5.44%) compared to XLV (4.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, THQ dropped -39.35% vs XLV's -39.17%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.84 vs 0.50), 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.