XLV vs. PBPH

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XLV (State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF) and PBPH (Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds - XLV tracks the Health Care Select Sector Index while PBPH tracks the BITA Global Pharma and Biotech Select Index. Both are passively managed. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. XLV charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for PBPH.

Performance

XLV vs. PBPH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) 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, XLV achieves a -4.29% return, which is significantly lower than PBPH's -1.13% return.

XLV

• 1D: 0.79%
• 1M: 1.95%
• YTD: -4.29%
• 6M: -4.06%
• 1Y: 12.89%
• 3Y*: 5.98%
• 5Y*: 5.55%
• 10Y*: 9.20%

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)

XLV vs. PBPH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
XLV State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF	-4.29%	-2.09%
PBPH Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF	-1.13%	0.76%

Correlation

The correlation between XLV and PBPH is 0.86, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 26, 2025	0.86

Return for Risk

XLV vs. PBPH — Risk / Return Rank

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

XLV

XLV Risk / Return Rank: 24
XLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
XLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
XLV Omega Ratio Rank: 23
XLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
XLV 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.

XLV vs. PBPH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) 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.

	XLV	PBPH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.88	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.42	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.24	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.99	—	—
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

	XLV	PBPH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.88	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.38	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.46	-0.04	+0.50

Drawdowns

XLV vs. PBPH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLV drawdown since its inception was -39.17%, which is greater than PBPH's maximum drawdown of -11.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLV and PBPH.

Drawdown Indicators

	XLV	PBPH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.17%	-11.10%	-28.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.47%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.11%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.11%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-28.40%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.52%	-8.69%	+1.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.12%	-4.23%	-2.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.32%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	XLV	PBPH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.10%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.24%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.67%	16.78%	-2.11%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.69%	16.78%	-2.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.55%	16.78%	-0.23%

XLV vs. PBPH - Expense Ratio Comparison

XLV has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than PBPH's 0.13% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

XLV vs. PBPH - Dividend Comparison

XLV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.70%, 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%
XLV State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF	1.70%	1.60%	1.67%	1.59%	1.47%	1.33%	1.49%	2.17%	1.57%	1.47%	1.60%	1.43%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XLV and PBPH in my portfolio?

XLV and PBPH have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, XLV or PBPH?

On fees, XLV is cheaper at 0.08% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, XLV or PBPH?

XLV is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.13% for PBPH.

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

XLV has the higher dividend yield at 1.70%, compared with 0.09% for PBPH.

What is the main difference between XLV and PBPH?

XLV tracks Health Care Select Sector 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: 0.08% for XLV and 0.13% for PBPH.