TMED vs. FTXH

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

TMED (T. Rowe Price Health Care ETF) and FTXH (First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds. Over the past year, TMED returned 39.05% vs 46.49% for FTXH. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TMED charges 0.44%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for FTXH.

Performance

TMED vs. FTXH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price Health Care ETF (TMED) and First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (FTXH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with TMED having a 16.84% return and FTXH slightly lower at 16.58%.

TMED

• 1D: -0.28%
• 1M: 9.47%
• 6M: 14.05%
• YTD: 16.84%
• 1Y: 39.05%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FTXH

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: 6.44%
• 6M: 14.81%
• YTD: 16.58%
• 1Y: 46.49%
• 3Y*: 15.38%
• 5Y*: 9.70%
• 10Y*: —

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

TMED vs. FTXH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
TMED T. Rowe Price Health Care ETF	16.84%	19.49%
FTXH First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF	16.58%	27.18%

Correlation

The correlation between TMED and FTXH is 0.83, 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	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 12, 2025	0.83

The correlation between TMED and FTXH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TMED vs. FTXH — Risk / Return Rank

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

TMED

TMED Risk / Return Rank: 82
TMED Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
TMED Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
TMED Omega Ratio Rank: 78
TMED Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
TMED Martin Ratio Rank: 79

FTXH

FTXH Risk / Return Rank: 93
FTXH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
FTXH Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
FTXH Omega Ratio Rank: 89
FTXH Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
FTXH Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

TMED vs. FTXH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Health Care ETF (TMED) and First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (FTXH). 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.

	TMED	FTXH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.13	2.66	-0.53
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.08	3.93	-0.84
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.45	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.53	6.25	-2.72
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.87	18.42	-6.55

TMED vs. FTXH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TMED Sharpe Ratio is 2.13, which is comparable to the FTXH Sharpe Ratio of 2.66. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TMED and FTXH, 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

TMED vs. FTXH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TMED drawdown since its inception was -11.11%, smaller than the maximum FTXH drawdown of -32.11%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TMED and FTXH.

Drawdown Indicators

	TMED	FTXH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.11%	-32.11%	+21.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.11%	-7.47%	-3.64%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-19.51%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-19.51%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.86%	-3.07%	+1.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.38%	-5.78%	+3.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.30%	2.53%	+0.77%

Volatility

TMED vs. FTXH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for T. Rowe Price Health Care ETF (TMED) is 4.78%, while First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (FTXH) has a volatility of 5.75%. This indicates that TMED experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FTXH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TMED	FTXH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.78%	5.75%	-0.97%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.06%	12.48%	+1.58%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.50%	17.60%	+0.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.18%	16.50%	+1.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.18%	18.44%	-0.26%

TMED vs. FTXH - Expense Ratio Comparison

TMED has a 0.44% expense ratio, which is lower than FTXH's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

TMED vs. FTXH - Dividend Comparison

TMED's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.47%, less than FTXH's 1.11% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
FTXH First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF	1.11%	1.41%	1.66%	1.55%	1.11%	1.03%	0.82%	0.67%	0.91%	2.18%	0.19%
TMED T. Rowe Price Health Care ETF	0.47%	0.54%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TMED and FTXH in my portfolio?

TMED and FTXH have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TMED or FTXH?

FTXH has higher volatility (5.75%) compared to TMED (4.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TMED dropped -11.11% vs FTXH's -32.11%.

Which ETF is better, TMED or FTXH?

On 1-year performance, FTXH leads with 46.49% vs 39.05% for TMED. On fees, TMED is cheaper at 0.44% per year. On volatility, TMED has been the lower-risk option at 4.78%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TMED or FTXH?

Over the 1-year period, FTXH has performed better with a 46.49% return vs 39.05%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TMED or FTXH?

TMED is cheaper with a 0.44% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for FTXH.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, TMED or FTXH?

FTXH has the higher dividend yield at 1.11%, compared with 0.47% for TMED.

What is the main difference between TMED and FTXH?

They also come from different issuers: T. Rowe Price and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.44% for TMED and 0.60% for FTXH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTXH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.66 vs 2.13), 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.