WHCS.AS vs. IXJ

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

WHCS.AS (iShares MSCI World Health Care Sector UCITS ETF USD Inc) and IXJ (iShares Global Healthcare ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds from iShares - WHCS.AS tracks the MSCI World/Health Care NR USD while IXJ tracks the S&P Global Healthcare Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, WHCS.AS returned 3.72%/yr vs 4.65%/yr for IXJ. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. WHCS.AS charges 1.00%/yr vs 0.46%/yr for IXJ.

Performance

WHCS.AS vs. IXJ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI World Health Care Sector UCITS ETF USD Inc (WHCS.AS) and iShares Global Healthcare ETF (IXJ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, WHCS.AS achieves a -3.10% return, which is significantly lower than IXJ's -2.38% return.

WHCS.AS

• 1D: 2.89%
• 1M: 3.09%
• YTD: -3.10%
• 6M: -1.69%
• 1Y: 9.26%
• 3Y*: 3.43%
• 5Y*: 3.72%
• 10Y*: —

IXJ

• 1D: 3.03%
• 1M: 2.97%
• YTD: -2.38%
• 6M: -1.24%
• 1Y: 12.07%
• 3Y*: 5.38%
• 5Y*: 4.65%
• 10Y*: 7.93%

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

WHCS.AS vs. IXJ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
WHCS.AS iShares MSCI World Health Care Sector UCITS ETF USD Inc	-3.10%	15.82%	-5.39%	3.78%	-3.40%	20.66%	13.10%	11.49%
IXJ iShares Global Healthcare ETF	-2.38%	14.99%	0.55%	3.62%	-4.94%	19.60%	12.74%	11.93%

Correlation

The correlation between WHCS.AS and IXJ 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 (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.64
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.61
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 22, 2019	0.61

The correlation between WHCS.AS and IXJ shifts across timeframes, from 0.61 (all time) to 0.73 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

WHCS.AS vs. IXJ — Risk / Return Rank

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

WHCS.AS

WHCS.AS Risk / Return Rank: 20
WHCS.AS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
WHCS.AS Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
WHCS.AS Omega Ratio Rank: 19
WHCS.AS Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
WHCS.AS Martin Ratio Rank: 19

IXJ

IXJ Risk / Return Rank: 24
IXJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
IXJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
IXJ Omega Ratio Rank: 23
IXJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
IXJ Martin Ratio Rank: 23

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.

WHCS.AS vs. IXJ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI World Health Care Sector UCITS ETF USD Inc (WHCS.AS) and iShares Global Healthcare ETF (IXJ). 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.

	WHCS.AS	IXJ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.63	0.82	-0.18
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.05	1.33	-0.28
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.15	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.86	1.12	-0.26
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.06	2.73	-0.67
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

WHCS.AS vs. IXJ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WHCS.AS Sharpe Ratio is 0.63, which is comparable to the IXJ Sharpe Ratio of 0.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WHCS.AS and IXJ, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	WHCS.AS	IXJ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.63	0.82	-0.18
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.25	0.33	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.51	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.47	0.43	+0.04

Drawdowns

WHCS.AS vs. IXJ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WHCS.AS drawdown since its inception was -26.37%, smaller than the maximum IXJ drawdown of -40.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WHCS.AS and IXJ.

Drawdown Indicators

	WHCS.AS	IXJ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.37%	-40.60%	+14.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.59%	-10.78%	+0.19%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.71%	-18.14%	-1.57%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.71%	-18.14%	-1.57%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-27.35%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.71%	-6.52%	+0.81%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.57%	-6.92%	+1.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.47%	4.43%	+0.04%

Volatility

WHCS.AS vs. IXJ - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI World Health Care Sector UCITS ETF USD Inc (WHCS.AS) and iShares Global Healthcare ETF (IXJ) have volatilities of 4.88% and 4.78%, 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

	WHCS.AS	IXJ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.88%	4.78%	+0.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.53%	10.50%	+0.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.50%	14.85%	-0.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.44%	14.27%	+0.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.38%	15.70%	+0.68%

WHCS.AS vs. IXJ - Expense Ratio Comparison

WHCS.AS has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is higher than IXJ's 0.46% expense ratio.

Dividends

WHCS.AS vs. IXJ - Dividend Comparison

WHCS.AS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.08%, less than IXJ's 1.43% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IXJ iShares Global Healthcare ETF	1.43%	1.40%	1.50%	1.38%	1.17%	1.12%	1.27%	1.42%	2.11%	1.46%	1.73%	2.85%
WHCS.AS iShares MSCI World Health Care Sector UCITS ETF USD Inc	1.08%	1.05%	1.04%	1.15%	1.08%	1.08%	1.20%	0.10%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WHCS.AS and IXJ in my portfolio?

WHCS.AS and IXJ 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 ETF is better, WHCS.AS or IXJ?

On fees, IXJ is cheaper at 0.46% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, WHCS.AS or IXJ?

IXJ is cheaper with a 0.46% expense ratio, compared with 1.00% for WHCS.AS.

What is the main difference between WHCS.AS and IXJ?

WHCS.AS tracks MSCI World/Health Care NR USD, while IXJ tracks S&P Global Healthcare Sector Index. Their fees differ too: 1.00% for WHCS.AS and 0.46% for IXJ.