XHB vs. PILL

Last updated Jul 12, 2026

XHB (SPDR S&P Homebuilders ETF) and PILL (Direxion Daily Pharmaceutical & Medical Bull 3X Shares) are both exchange-traded funds - XHB is a Building & Construction fund tracking the S&P Homebuilders Select Industry Index, while PILL is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the Dynamic Pharmaceuticals Intellidex Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, XHB returned 9.07%/yr vs -3.27%/yr for PILL. A 0.51 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. XHB charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.98%/yr for PILL.

Performance

XHB vs. PILL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P Homebuilders ETF (XHB) and Direxion Daily Pharmaceutical & Medical Bull 3X Shares (PILL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XHB achieves a 5.80% return, which is significantly lower than PILL's 57.31% return.

XHB

• 1D: 0.93%
• 1M: 1.09%
• 6M: -3.77%
• YTD: 5.80%
• 1Y: 4.32%
• 3Y*: 10.94%
• 5Y*: 9.07%
• 10Y*: 12.86%

PILL

• 1D: -7.83%
• 1M: 42.86%
• 6M: 62.47%
• YTD: 57.31%
• 1Y: 237.22%
• 3Y*: 34.99%
• 5Y*: -3.27%
• 10Y*: —

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

XHB vs. PILL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XHB SPDR S&P Homebuilders ETF	5.80%	-0.69%	9.87%	60.10%	-28.93%	49.70%	27.97%	41.30%	-25.73%	7.43%
PILL Direxion Daily Pharmaceutical & Medical Bull 3X Shares	57.31%	75.14%	-7.26%	-12.06%	-43.16%	-37.33%	0.28%	19.26%	-21.15%	16.39%

Correlation

The correlation between XHB and PILL is 0.35, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.35
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.49
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 15, 2017	0.51

The correlation between XHB and PILL shifts across timeframes, from 0.35 (1 year) to 0.52 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

XHB vs. PILL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XHB	PILL
Consumer Cyclical	61.8%	-
Industrials	20.3%	-
Basic Materials	14.4%	-
Consumer Defensive	3.5%	-
Real Estate	1.1%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	100.0%
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

XHB vs. PILL — Risk / Return Rank

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

XHB

XHB Risk / Return Rank: 11
XHB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
XHB Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
XHB Omega Ratio Rank: 12
XHB Calmar Ratio Rank: 11
XHB Martin Ratio Rank: 11

PILL

PILL Risk / Return Rank: 93
PILL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
PILL Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
PILL Omega Ratio Rank: 87
PILL Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
PILL Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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.

XHB vs. PILL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Homebuilders ETF (XHB) and Direxion Daily Pharmaceutical & Medical Bull 3X Shares (PILL). 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.

	XHB	PILL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.11	3.53	-3.43
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.40	3.48	-3.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.04	1.43	-0.38
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.14	6.85	-6.71
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.28	22.58	-22.30

XHB vs. PILL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XHB Sharpe Ratio is 0.11, which is lower than the PILL Sharpe Ratio of 3.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XHB and PILL, 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

XHB vs. PILL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XHB drawdown since its inception was -81.61%, smaller than the maximum PILL drawdown of -88.76%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XHB and PILL.

Drawdown Indicators

	XHB	PILL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-81.61%	-88.76%	+7.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.71%	-33.21%	+11.50%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-30.53%	-60.43%	+29.90%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-39.46%	-83.26%	+43.80%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-49.57%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-12.39%	-46.10%	+33.71%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-27.52%	-58.48%	+30.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.75%	10.05%	+0.70%

Volatility

XHB vs. PILL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR S&P Homebuilders ETF (XHB) is 10.57%, while Direxion Daily Pharmaceutical & Medical Bull 3X Shares (PILL) has a volatility of 19.91%. This indicates that XHB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PILL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XHB	PILL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.57%	19.91%	-9.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.11%	49.96%	-27.85%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.63%	64.39%	-35.76%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.97%	61.10%	-33.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.53%	63.96%	-36.43%

XHB vs. PILL - Expense Ratio Comparison

XHB has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than PILL's 0.98% expense ratio.

Dividends

XHB vs. PILL - Dividend Comparison

XHB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.60%, more than PILL's 0.35% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PILL Direxion Daily Pharmaceutical & Medical Bull 3X Shares	0.35%	0.69%	1.28%	1.83%	0.67%	0.00%	0.00%	0.38%	0.91%	0.10%	0.00%	0.00%
XHB SPDR S&P Homebuilders ETF	0.60%	0.78%	0.59%	0.77%	1.06%	0.51%	0.73%	0.89%	1.25%	0.72%	0.67%	0.50%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XHB and PILL in my portfolio?

XHB and PILL have a correlation of 0.35, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XHB or PILL?

PILL has higher volatility (19.91%) compared to XHB (10.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XHB dropped -81.61% vs PILL's -88.76%.

Which ETF is better, XHB or PILL?

On 5-year performance, XHB leads with 9.07% vs -3.27% for PILL. On fees, XHB is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, XHB has been the lower-risk option at 10.57%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XHB or PILL?

Over the 5-year period, XHB has performed better with a 9.07% return vs -3.27%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XHB or PILL?

XHB is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.98% for PILL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XHB or PILL?

XHB has the higher dividend yield at 0.60%, compared with 0.35% for PILL.

What is the main difference between XHB and PILL?

XHB is categorized as Building & Construction, while PILL is Leveraged Equities. XHB tracks S&P Homebuilders Select Industry Index, while PILL tracks Dynamic Pharmaceuticals Intellidex Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XHB and 0.98% for PILL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PILL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.53 vs 0.11), 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.