TMED vs. XPH

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

TMED (T. Rowe Price Health Care ETF) and XPH (SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds. Over the past year, TMED returned 33.64% vs 56.29% for XPH. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. TMED charges 0.44%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for XPH.

Performance

TMED vs. XPH - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TMED achieves a 10.47% return, which is significantly lower than XPH's 15.31% return.

TMED

• 1D: 1.71%
• 1M: 5.92%
• YTD: 10.47%
• 6M: 9.58%
• 1Y: 33.64%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

XPH

• 1D: 1.96%
• 1M: 11.63%
• YTD: 15.31%
• 6M: 12.21%
• 1Y: 56.29%
• 3Y*: 17.38%
• 5Y*: 5.48%
• 10Y*: 5.65%

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

TMED vs. XPH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
TMED T. Rowe Price Health Care ETF	10.47%	19.49%
XPH SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF	15.31%	34.27%

Correlation

The correlation between TMED and XPH is 0.73, 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	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 12, 2025	0.73

The correlation between TMED and XPH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.73 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TMED vs. XPH — Risk / Return Rank

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

TMED

TMED Risk / Return Rank: 66
TMED Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
TMED Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
TMED Omega Ratio Rank: 61
TMED Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
TMED Martin Ratio Rank: 64

XPH

XPH Risk / Return Rank: 86
XPH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
XPH Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
XPH Omega Ratio Rank: 80
XPH Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
XPH Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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. XPH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Health Care ETF (TMED) and SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF (XPH). 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	XPH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.86	2.60	-0.73
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.72	3.48	-0.76
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.42	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.04	4.73	-1.69
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.95	16.97	-7.02

TMED vs. XPH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TMED Sharpe Ratio is 1.86, which is comparable to the XPH Sharpe Ratio of 2.60. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TMED and XPH, 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. XPH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TMED drawdown since its inception was -11.11%, smaller than the maximum XPH drawdown of -48.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TMED and XPH.

Drawdown Indicators

	TMED	XPH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.11%	-48.03%	+36.92%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.11%	-11.97%	+0.86%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-23.57%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-31.63%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.97%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.47%	-17.21%	+14.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.39%	3.33%	+0.06%

Volatility

TMED vs. XPH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for T. Rowe Price Health Care ETF (TMED) is 6.00%, while SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF (XPH) has a volatility of 6.42%. This indicates that TMED experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XPH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TMED	XPH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.00%	6.42%	-0.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.61%	16.69%	-3.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.21%	21.83%	-3.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.08%	20.93%	-2.85%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.08%	22.10%	-4.02%

TMED vs. XPH - Expense Ratio Comparison

TMED has a 0.44% expense ratio, which is higher than XPH's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

TMED vs. XPH - Dividend Comparison

TMED's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.49%, less than XPH's 0.52% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TMED T. Rowe Price Health Care ETF	0.49%	0.54%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XPH SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF	0.52%	0.83%	1.58%	1.28%	1.64%	0.95%	0.47%	0.64%	0.65%	0.67%	0.63%	7.15%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TMED and XPH in my portfolio?

TMED and XPH have a correlation of 0.73, 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 XPH?

XPH has higher volatility (6.42%) compared to TMED (6.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TMED dropped -11.11% vs XPH's -48.03%.

Which ETF is better, TMED or XPH?

On 1-year performance, XPH leads with 56.29% vs 33.64% for TMED. On fees, XPH is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, TMED has been the lower-risk option at 6.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TMED or XPH?

Over the 1-year period, XPH has performed better with a 56.29% return vs 33.64%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TMED or XPH?

XPH is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.44% for TMED.

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

XPH has the higher dividend yield at 0.52%, compared with 0.49% for TMED.

What is the main difference between TMED and XPH?

They also come from different issuers: T. Rowe Price and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.44% for TMED and 0.35% for XPH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XPH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.60 vs 1.86), 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.