XBI vs. IHE

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

XBI (SPDR S&P Biotech ETF) and IHE (iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds - XBI tracks the S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index while IHE tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Select Pharmaceuticals Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XBI returned 8.53%/yr vs 7.97%/yr for IHE. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. XBI charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.42%/yr for IHE.

Performance

XBI vs. IHE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (XBI) and iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF (IHE). 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 XBI having a 9.42% return and IHE slightly lower at 9.33%. Over the past 10 years, XBI has outperformed IHE with an annualized return of 8.53%, while IHE has yielded a comparatively lower 7.97% annualized return.

XBI

• 1D: 2.77%
• 1M: -0.28%
• YTD: 9.42%
• 6M: 8.61%
• 1Y: 62.35%
• 3Y*: 15.65%
• 5Y*: 1.14%
• 10Y*: 8.53%

IHE

• 1D: 2.69%
• 1M: 3.48%
• YTD: 9.33%
• 6M: 12.42%
• 1Y: 43.59%
• 3Y*: 18.33%
• 5Y*: 10.57%
• 10Y*: 7.97%

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

XBI vs. IHE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XBI SPDR S&P Biotech ETF	9.42%	35.89%	1.01%	7.60%	-25.87%	-20.45%	48.33%	32.56%	-15.28%	43.77%
IHE iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF	9.33%	31.69%	8.13%	1.06%	-4.87%	13.07%	13.66%	15.47%	-7.76%	10.64%

Correlation

The correlation between XBI and IHE is 0.68, 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	0.68
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.61
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 8, 2006	0.72

The correlation between XBI and IHE shifts across timeframes, from 0.60 (5 years) to 0.72 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

XBI vs. IHE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XBI	IHE
Healthcare	99.8%	100.0%
Financial Services	0.2%	-
Basic Materials	0.2%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

XBI vs. IHE — Risk / Return Rank

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

XBI

XBI Risk / Return Rank: 80
XBI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
XBI Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
XBI Omega Ratio Rank: 67
XBI Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
XBI Martin Ratio Rank: 89

IHE

IHE Risk / Return Rank: 81
IHE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
IHE Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
IHE Omega Ratio Rank: 73
IHE Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
IHE Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

XBI vs. IHE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (XBI) and iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF (IHE). 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.

	XBI	IHE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.45	2.54	-0.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.32	3.67	-0.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.43	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.45	5.17	+1.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.53	15.58	+3.96
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XBI vs. IHE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XBI Sharpe Ratio is 2.45, which is comparable to the IHE Sharpe Ratio of 2.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XBI and IHE, 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

	XBI	IHE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.45	2.54	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.04	0.65	-0.62
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.27	0.44	-0.18
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.36	0.51	-0.15

Drawdowns

XBI vs. IHE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XBI drawdown since its inception was -63.89%, which is greater than IHE's maximum drawdown of -38.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XBI and IHE.

Drawdown Indicators

	XBI	IHE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.89%	-38.20%	-25.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.72%	-8.47%	-1.25%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.99%	-15.92%	-17.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-54.71%	-16.03%	-38.68%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-63.89%	-29.59%	-34.30%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-22.89%	-0.18%	-22.71%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-20.93%	-7.92%	-13.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.20%	2.81%	+0.39%

Volatility

XBI vs. IHE - Volatility Comparison

SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (XBI) has a higher volatility of 9.69% compared to iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF (IHE) at 6.04%. This indicates that XBI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IHE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XBI	IHE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.69%	6.04%	+3.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.31%	12.70%	+7.61%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.60%	17.26%	+8.34%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	32.20%	16.28%	+15.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	32.00%	18.07%	+13.93%

XBI vs. IHE - Expense Ratio Comparison

XBI has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than IHE's 0.42% expense ratio.

Dividends

XBI vs. IHE - Dividend Comparison

XBI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.33%, less than IHE's 1.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IHE iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF	1.61%	1.76%	1.73%	1.39%	2.01%	1.49%	1.19%	1.40%	1.25%	1.36%	0.92%	1.93%
XBI SPDR S&P Biotech ETF	0.33%	0.37%	0.15%	0.02%	0.00%	0.04%	0.20%	0.00%	0.28%	0.24%	0.26%	0.61%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XBI and IHE in my portfolio?

XBI and IHE have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XBI or IHE?

XBI has higher volatility (9.69%) compared to IHE (6.04%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XBI dropped -63.89% vs IHE's -38.20%.

Which ETF is better, XBI or IHE?

On 10-year performance, XBI leads with 8.53% vs 7.97% for IHE. On fees, XBI is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, IHE has been the lower-risk option at 6.04%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XBI or IHE?

Over the 10-year period, XBI has performed better with a 8.53% return vs 7.97%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XBI or IHE?

XBI is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.42% for IHE.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XBI or IHE?

IHE has the higher dividend yield at 1.61%, compared with 0.33% for XBI.

What is the main difference between XBI and IHE?

XBI tracks S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index, while IHE tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Pharmaceuticals Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XBI and 0.42% for IHE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IHE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.54 vs 2.45), 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.