VGHCX vs. FBTCX
VGHCX (Vanguard Health Care Fund Investor Shares) and FBTCX (Fidelity Advisor Biotechnology Fund Class C) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, VGHCX returned 9.74%/yr vs 11.82%/yr for FBTCX. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VGHCX charges 0.33%/yr vs 1.75%/yr for FBTCX.
Performance
VGHCX vs. FBTCX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VGHCX achieves a -0.94% return, which is significantly lower than FBTCX's 11.67% return. Over the past 10 years, VGHCX has underperformed FBTCX with an annualized return of 9.74%, while FBTCX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.82% annualized return.
VGHCX
- 1D
- 0.93%
- 1M
- 0.54%
- YTD
- -0.94%
- 6M
- -1.48%
- 1Y
- 21.58%
- 3Y*
- 9.63%
- 5Y*
- 6.98%
- 10Y*
- 9.74%
FBTCX
- 1D
- 5.15%
- 1M
- 8.09%
- YTD
- 11.67%
- 6M
- 9.05%
- 1Y
- 63.57%
- 3Y*
- 18.46%
- 5Y*
- 8.45%
- 10Y*
- 11.82%
VGHCX vs. FBTCX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VGHCX Vanguard Health Care Fund Investor Shares | -0.94% | 19.63% | 8.99% | 5.46% | -1.05% | 14.36% | 12.57% | 22.93% | 1.03% | 19.59% |
FBTCX Fidelity Advisor Biotechnology Fund Class C | 11.67% | 38.48% | -2.00% | 9.86% | -8.64% | -3.72% | 31.17% | 24.82% | -4.55% | 24.81% |
Correlation
The correlation between VGHCX and FBTCX 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 | 0.72 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.73 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.75 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 27, 2000 | 0.76 |
The correlation between VGHCX and FBTCX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VGHCX vs. FBTCX — Risk / Return Rank
VGHCX
FBTCX
VGHCX vs. FBTCX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Health Care Fund Investor Shares (VGHCX) and Fidelity Advisor Biotechnology Fund Class C (FBTCX). 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.
| VGHCX | FBTCX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.23 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.34 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.26 | 1.43 | -0.17 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.42 | 6.97 | -4.55 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.46 | 19.09 | -12.63 |
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Drawdowns
VGHCX vs. FBTCX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VGHCX drawdown since its inception was -36.93%, smaller than the maximum FBTCX drawdown of -64.04%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGHCX and FBTCX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VGHCX | FBTCX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -36.93% | -64.04% | +27.11% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.20% | -9.04% | -0.16% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -16.08% | -37.26% | +21.18% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -16.95% | -37.26% | +20.31% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -27.18% | -39.37% | +12.19% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.99% | 0.00% | -3.99% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.24% | -23.04% | +17.80% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.44% | 3.29% | +0.15% |
Volatility
VGHCX vs. FBTCX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Health Care Fund Investor Shares (VGHCX) is 4.74%, while Fidelity Advisor Biotechnology Fund Class C (FBTCX) has a volatility of 9.23%. This indicates that VGHCX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FBTCX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VGHCX | FBTCX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.74% | 9.23% | -4.49% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.65% | 18.04% | -7.39% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 14.95% | 23.23% | -8.28% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.24% | 23.84% | -5.60% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.66% | 24.56% | -6.90% |
VGHCX vs. FBTCX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VGHCX has a 0.33% expense ratio, which is lower than FBTCX's 1.75% expense ratio.
Dividends
VGHCX vs. FBTCX - Dividend Comparison
VGHCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.67%, more than FBTCX's 1.51% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FBTCX Fidelity Advisor Biotechnology Fund Class C | 1.51% | 1.68% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 24.50% | 9.78% | 7.92% | 2.92% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 5.73% |
VGHCX Vanguard Health Care Fund Investor Shares | 6.67% | 6.00% | 22.72% | 7.17% | 5.44% | 8.31% | 7.96% | 11.82% | 9.10% | 7.30% | 8.54% | 8.16% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VGHCX and FBTCX 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.
FBTCX has higher volatility (9.23%) compared to VGHCX (4.74%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGHCX dropped -36.93% vs FBTCX's -64.04%.
FBTCX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.72 vs 1.49), 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.
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