THW vs. PPH

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

THW (abrdn World Healthcare Fund) and PPH (VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds. THW is actively managed, while PPH is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, THW returned 9.83%/yr vs 8.33%/yr for PPH. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. THW charges 1.54%/yr vs 0.36%/yr for PPH.

Performance

THW vs. PPH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in abrdn World Healthcare Fund (THW) and VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF (PPH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, THW achieves a 4.83% return, which is significantly higher than PPH's 1.11% return. Over the past 10 years, THW has outperformed PPH with an annualized return of 9.83%, while PPH has yielded a comparatively lower 8.33% annualized return.

THW

• 1D: 0.79%
• 1M: -0.31%
• YTD: 4.83%
• 6M: 5.29%
• 1Y: 40.30%
• 3Y*: 8.02%
• 5Y*: 5.85%
• 10Y*: 9.83%

PPH

• 1D: 0.92%
• 1M: -1.45%
• YTD: 1.11%
• 6M: 1.61%
• 1Y: 21.33%
• 3Y*: 11.87%
• 5Y*: 9.48%
• 10Y*: 8.33%

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

THW vs. PPH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
THW abrdn World Healthcare Fund	4.83%	31.10%	5.35%	-11.52%	-1.21%	12.03%	26.40%	32.98%	-5.40%	16.95%
PPH VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF	1.11%	22.00%	8.05%	6.95%	2.64%	17.79%	5.49%	19.39%	-5.89%	15.23%

Correlation

The correlation between THW and PPH is 0.56, 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	0.56
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.56
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.59
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2015	0.58

The correlation between THW and PPH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.56 to 0.59 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

THW vs. PPH — Risk / Return Rank

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

THW

THW Risk / Return Rank: 61
THW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
THW Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
THW Omega Ratio Rank: 47
THW Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
THW Martin Ratio Rank: 71

PPH

PPH Risk / Return Rank: 36
PPH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
PPH Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
PPH Omega Ratio Rank: 34
PPH Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
PPH Martin Ratio Rank: 34

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.

THW vs. PPH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for abrdn World Healthcare Fund (THW) and VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF (PPH). 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.

	THW	PPH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.01	1.22	+0.79
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.74	1.92	+0.82
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.22	+0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.59	1.99	+1.60
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.73	4.86	+7.87

THW vs. PPH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current THW Sharpe Ratio is 2.01, which is higher than the PPH Sharpe Ratio of 1.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of THW and PPH, 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

THW vs. PPH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum THW drawdown since its inception was -37.36%, smaller than the maximum PPH drawdown of -51.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for THW and PPH.

Drawdown Indicators

	THW	PPH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.36%	-51.45%	+14.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.28%	-10.76%	-0.52%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.37%	-18.06%	-10.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.53%	-20.26%	-11.27%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.36%	-29.70%	-7.66%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.85%	-6.61%	+5.76%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.68%	-17.29%	+7.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.17%	4.40%	-1.23%

Volatility

THW vs. PPH - Volatility Comparison

abrdn World Healthcare Fund (THW) and VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF (PPH) have volatilities of 5.97% and 6.13%, 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.

Volatility by Period

	THW	PPH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.97%	6.13%	-0.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.37%	12.15%	+1.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.19%	17.61%	+2.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.70%	15.15%	+3.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.21%	17.01%	+4.20%

THW vs. PPH - Expense Ratio Comparison

THW has a 1.54% expense ratio, which is higher than PPH's 0.36% expense ratio.

Dividends

THW vs. PPH - Dividend Comparison

THW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.95%, more than PPH's 2.08% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PPH VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF	2.08%	1.78%	1.98%	2.09%	1.55%	1.62%	1.66%	1.77%	1.97%	1.92%	2.43%	1.93%
THW abrdn World Healthcare Fund	10.95%	10.96%	12.72%	12.00%	9.56%	8.60%	8.85%	10.11%	12.08%	10.29%	10.91%	3.69%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both THW and PPH in my portfolio?

THW and PPH have a correlation of 0.56, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, THW or PPH?

PPH has higher volatility (6.13%) compared to THW (5.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, THW dropped -37.36% vs PPH's -51.45%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

THW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.01 vs 1.22), 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.