XHS vs. PBPH

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XHS (SPDR S&P Health Care Services ETF) and PBPH (Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds - XHS tracks the S&P Health Care Services Select Industry Index while PBPH tracks the BITA Global Pharma and Biotech Select Index. Both are passively managed. At a 0.28 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. XHS charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for PBPH.

Performance

XHS vs. PBPH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P Health Care Services ETF (XHS) and Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF (PBPH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XHS achieves a 6.32% return, which is significantly higher than PBPH's -1.13% return.

XHS

• 1D: 0.28%
• 1M: 2.77%
• YTD: 6.32%
• 6M: 5.39%
• 1Y: 16.58%
• 3Y*: 8.47%
• 5Y*: 0.44%
• 10Y*: 7.46%

PBPH

• 1D: 0.58%
• 1M: 0.07%
• YTD: -1.13%
• 6M: -0.02%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

XHS vs. PBPH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
XHS SPDR S&P Health Care Services ETF	6.32%	-3.80%
PBPH Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF	-1.13%	0.76%

Correlation

The correlation between XHS and PBPH is 0.28, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 26, 2025	0.28

Return for Risk

XHS vs. PBPH — Risk / Return Rank

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

XHS

XHS Risk / Return Rank: 26
XHS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
XHS Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
XHS Omega Ratio Rank: 26
XHS Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
XHS Martin Ratio Rank: 27

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.

XHS vs. PBPH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Health Care Services ETF (XHS) 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.

	XHS	PBPH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.95	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.39	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.39	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.83	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	XHS	PBPH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.95	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.02	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.33	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.57	-0.04	+0.61

Drawdowns

XHS vs. PBPH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XHS drawdown since its inception was -39.32%, which is greater than PBPH's maximum drawdown of -11.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XHS and PBPH.

Drawdown Indicators

	XHS	PBPH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.32%	-11.10%	-28.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.99%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.81%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.62%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.32%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.78%	-8.69%	+6.91%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.20%	-4.23%	-5.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.33%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	XHS	PBPH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.80%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.86%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.56%	16.78%	+0.78%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.10%	16.78%	+4.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.40%	16.78%	+5.62%

XHS vs. PBPH - Expense Ratio Comparison

XHS has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than PBPH's 0.13% expense ratio.

Dividends

XHS vs. PBPH - Dividend Comparison

XHS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.25%, more than PBPH's 0.09% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PBPH Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF	0.09%	0.09%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XHS SPDR S&P Health Care Services ETF	0.25%	0.27%	0.38%	0.23%	0.19%	0.20%	0.23%	2.37%	0.34%	0.22%	0.28%	0.93%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XHS and PBPH in my portfolio?

XHS and PBPH have a correlation of 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, XHS or PBPH?

On fees, PBPH is cheaper at 0.13% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, XHS or PBPH?

PBPH is cheaper with a 0.13% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for XHS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XHS or PBPH?

XHS has the higher dividend yield at 0.25%, compared with 0.09% for PBPH.

What is the main difference between XHS and PBPH?

XHS tracks S&P Health Care Services Select Industry Index, while PBPH tracks BITA Global Pharma and Biotech Select Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Portfolio Building Block. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XHS and 0.13% for PBPH.