VHT vs. PBPH
VHT (Vanguard Health Care ETF) and PBPH (Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds - VHT tracks the MSCI US Investable Market Health Care 25/50 Index while PBPH tracks the BITA Global Pharma and Biotech Select Index. Both are passively managed. Their correlation of 0.87 means they have usually moved in the same direction. VHT charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for PBPH.
Performance
VHT vs. PBPH - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VHT achieves a 6.65% return, which is significantly lower than PBPH's 7.71% return.
VHT
- 1D
- -0.76%
- 1M
- -1.17%
- 6M
- 6.86%
- YTD
- 6.65%
- 1Y
- 27.92%
- 3Y*
- 9.09%
- 5Y*
- 5.06%
- 10Y*
- 9.89%
- ALL TIME*
- 9.92%
PBPH
- 1D
- -1.24%
- 1M
- -2.58%
- 6M
- 4.02%
- YTD
- 7.71%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- —
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $2.67M | $4.96M | $3.73M | |
| $66.49M | $76.90M | $73.37M |
VHT vs. PBPH - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
VHT Vanguard Health Care ETF | 6.65% | -0.13% |
PBPH Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF | 7.71% | 0.74% |
Correlation
The correlation between VHT and PBPH is 0.87, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 25, 2025 | 0.87 |
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Return for Risk
VHT vs. PBPH — Risk / Return Rank
VHT
PBPH
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
VHT vs. PBPH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) and Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF (PBPH). 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.
| VHT | PBPH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.33 | — | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.74 | — | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.79 | — | — |
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Drawdowns
VHT vs. PBPH - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VHT drawdown since its inception was -39.12%, which is greater than PBPH's maximum drawdown of -11.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VHT and PBPH.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VHT | PBPH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -39.12% | -11.10% | -28.02% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -10.40% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -16.91% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -17.71% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -28.85% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.69% | -3.03% | +0.34% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.96% | -4.04% | -1.92% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.19% | — | — |
Volatility
VHT vs. PBPH - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| VHT | PBPH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.54% | — | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.64% | — | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.35% | 17.84% | -2.49% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 15.25% | 17.84% | -2.59% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.02% | 17.84% | -0.82% |
VHT vs. PBPH - Expense Ratio Comparison
VHT has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than PBPH's 0.13% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VHT vs. PBPH - Dividend Comparison
VHT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.55%, more than PBPH's 0.08% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PBPH Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF | 0.08% | 0.09% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VHT Vanguard Health Care ETF | 1.55% | 1.61% | 1.53% | 1.36% | 1.33% | 1.14% | 1.21% | 1.89% | 1.38% | 1.31% | 1.45% | 1.22% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VHT and PBPH have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, VHT is cheaper at 0.09% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
VHT is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.13% for PBPH.
VHT has the higher dividend yield at 1.55%, compared with 0.08% for PBPH.
VHT tracks MSCI US Investable Market Health Care 25/50 Index, while PBPH tracks BITA Global Pharma and Biotech Select Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Portfolio Building Block. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for VHT and 0.13% for PBPH.
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