XHE vs. FTXH

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

XHE (SPDR S&P Health Care Equipment ETF) and FTXH (First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds - XHE tracks the S&P Health Care Equipment Select Industry Index while FTXH tracks the Nasdaq U.S. Smart Pharmaceuticals Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, XHE returned -8.97%/yr vs 8.39%/yr for FTXH. A 0.56 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. XHE charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for FTXH.

Performance

XHE vs. FTXH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P Health Care Equipment ETF (XHE) and First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (FTXH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XHE achieves a -8.91% return, which is significantly lower than FTXH's 8.95% return.

XHE

• 1D: -2.39%
• 1M: -0.92%
• YTD: -8.91%
• 6M: -10.99%
• 1Y: 1.37%
• 3Y*: -5.83%
• 5Y*: -8.97%
• 10Y*: 6.02%

FTXH

• 1D: 1.27%
• 1M: 2.75%
• YTD: 8.95%
• 6M: 7.56%
• 1Y: 42.53%
• 3Y*: 12.47%
• 5Y*: 8.39%
• 10Y*: —

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

XHE vs. FTXH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XHE SPDR S&P Health Care Equipment ETF	-8.91%	-0.23%	5.08%	-6.23%	-23.34%	3.04%	32.91%	22.30%	8.90%	30.51%
FTXH First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF	8.95%	24.15%	2.98%	-1.41%	2.55%	6.14%	11.73%	22.13%	-9.51%	19.44%

Correlation

The correlation between XHE and FTXH is 0.50, 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	0.50
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.55
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 22, 2016	0.56

The correlation between XHE and FTXH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.50 to 0.59 - a consistent structural relationship.

XHE vs. FTXH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XHE	FTXH
Healthcare	98.2%	100.0%
Financial Services	1.8%	-
Industrials	1.7%	-
Communication Services	1.4%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

XHE vs. FTXH — Risk / Return Rank

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

XHE

XHE Risk / Return Rank: 9
XHE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
XHE Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
XHE Omega Ratio Rank: 9
XHE Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
XHE Martin Ratio Rank: 9

FTXH

FTXH Risk / Return Rank: 83
FTXH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
FTXH Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
FTXH Omega Ratio Rank: 74
FTXH Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
FTXH Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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.

XHE vs. FTXH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Health Care Equipment ETF (XHE) and First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (FTXH). 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.

	XHE	FTXH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.06	2.49	-2.43
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.25	3.67	-3.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.03	1.42	-0.39
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.08	5.72	-5.65
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.16	16.84	-16.68

XHE vs. FTXH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XHE Sharpe Ratio is 0.06, which is lower than the FTXH Sharpe Ratio of 2.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XHE and FTXH, 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

XHE vs. FTXH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XHE drawdown since its inception was -49.92%, which is greater than FTXH's maximum drawdown of -32.11%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XHE and FTXH.

Drawdown Indicators

	XHE	FTXH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.92%	-32.11%	-17.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.29%	-7.47%	-10.82%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.62%	-19.51%	-13.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-49.92%	-19.51%	-30.41%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-49.92%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-39.61%	-0.74%	-38.87%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.34%	-5.81%	-7.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.42%	2.53%	+5.89%

Volatility

XHE vs. FTXH - Volatility Comparison

SPDR S&P Health Care Equipment ETF (XHE) has a higher volatility of 7.40% compared to First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (FTXH) at 5.36%. This indicates that XHE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FTXH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XHE	FTXH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.40%	5.36%	+2.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.50%	11.98%	+4.52%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.12%	17.17%	+4.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.56%	16.37%	+8.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.00%	18.41%	+4.59%

XHE vs. FTXH - Expense Ratio Comparison

XHE has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than FTXH's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

XHE vs. FTXH - Dividend Comparison

XHE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.09%, less than FTXH's 1.18% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTXH First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF	1.18%	1.41%	1.66%	1.55%	1.11%	1.03%	0.82%	0.67%	0.91%	2.18%	0.19%	0.00%
XHE SPDR S&P Health Care Equipment ETF	0.06%	0.08%	0.04%	0.03%	0.04%	0.00%	0.00%	0.05%	0.09%	0.78%	0.17%	7.22%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XHE and FTXH in my portfolio?

XHE and FTXH have a correlation of 0.50, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XHE or FTXH?

XHE has higher volatility (7.40%) compared to FTXH (5.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XHE dropped -49.92% vs FTXH's -32.11%.

Which ETF is better, XHE or FTXH?

On 5-year performance, FTXH leads with 8.39% vs -8.97% for XHE. On fees, XHE is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, FTXH has been the lower-risk option at 5.36%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XHE or FTXH?

Over the 5-year period, FTXH has performed better with a 8.39% return vs -8.97%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XHE or FTXH?

XHE is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for FTXH.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XHE or FTXH?

FTXH has the higher dividend yield at 1.18%, compared with 0.09% for XHE.

What is the main difference between XHE and FTXH?

XHE tracks S&P Health Care Equipment Select Industry Index, while FTXH tracks Nasdaq U.S. Smart Pharmaceuticals Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XHE and 0.60% for FTXH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTXH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.49 vs 0.06), 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.