XPH vs. BBC

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XPH (SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF) and BBC (Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds - XPH tracks the S&P Pharmaceuticals Select Industry Index while BBC tracks the LifeSci Biotechnology Clinical Trials Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XPH returned 3.44%/yr vs 7.64%/yr for BBC. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. XPH charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for BBC.

Performance

XPH vs. BBC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF (XPH) and Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF (BBC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XPH achieves a 0.66% return, which is significantly lower than BBC's 8.64% return. Over the past 10 years, XPH has underperformed BBC with an annualized return of 3.44%, while BBC has yielded a comparatively higher 7.64% annualized return.

XPH

• 1D: 1.10%
• 1M: -4.74%
• YTD: 0.66%
• 6M: 4.44%
• 1Y: 37.98%
• 3Y*: 13.07%
• 5Y*: 3.50%
• 10Y*: 3.44%

BBC

• 1D: 0.43%
• 1M: -6.52%
• YTD: 8.64%
• 6M: 14.08%
• 1Y: 116.78%
• 3Y*: 19.99%
• 5Y*: -1.96%
• 10Y*: 7.64%

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

XPH vs. BBC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XPH SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF	0.66%	31.60%	4.94%	2.97%	-9.83%	-10.54%	14.68%	25.61%	-15.32%	12.05%
BBC Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF	8.64%	63.77%	-1.11%	-1.80%	-35.13%	-22.31%	30.32%	63.81%	-18.29%	57.85%

Correlation

The correlation between XPH and BBC is 0.80, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 18, 2014	0.76

The correlation between XPH and BBC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.

XPH vs. BBC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XPH	BBC
Healthcare	100.0%	100.0%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

XPH vs. BBC — Risk / Return Rank

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

XPH

XPH Risk / Return Rank: 55
XPH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
XPH Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
XPH Omega Ratio Rank: 46
XPH Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
XPH Martin Ratio Rank: 63

BBC

BBC Risk / Return Rank: 89
BBC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
BBC Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
BBC Omega Ratio Rank: 77
BBC Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
BBC Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

XPH vs. BBC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF (XPH) and Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF (BBC). 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.

	XPH	BBC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.77	3.32	-1.55
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.51	3.98	-1.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.46	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.19	7.78	-4.59
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.37	24.80	-13.42
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XPH vs. BBC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XPH Sharpe Ratio is 1.77, which is lower than the BBC Sharpe Ratio of 3.32. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XPH and BBC, 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

	XPH	BBC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.77	3.32	-1.55
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.17	-0.05	+0.22
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.16	0.20	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	0.12	+0.27

Drawdowns

XPH vs. BBC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XPH drawdown since its inception was -48.03%, smaller than the maximum BBC drawdown of -76.85%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XPH and BBC.

Drawdown Indicators

	XPH	BBC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-48.03%	-76.85%	+28.82%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.97%	-15.10%	+3.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.57%	-54.45%	+30.88%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.63%	-72.44%	+40.81%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.97%	-76.85%	+40.88%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.22%	-30.27%	+23.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.25%	-37.14%	+19.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.35%	4.73%	-1.38%

Volatility

XPH vs. BBC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF (XPH) is 7.03%, while Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF (BBC) has a volatility of 10.93%. This indicates that XPH experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BBC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XPH	BBC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.03%	10.93%	-3.90%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.77%	26.43%	-9.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.52%	35.50%	-13.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.84%	39.31%	-18.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.10%	37.74%	-15.64%

XPH vs. BBC - Expense Ratio Comparison

XPH has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than BBC's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

XPH vs. BBC - Dividend Comparison

XPH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.66%, less than BBC's 1.56% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BBC Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF	1.56%	1.70%	1.00%	0.34%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	2.09%	0.00%	0.51%
XPH SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF	0.66%	0.83%	1.58%	1.28%	1.64%	0.95%	0.47%	0.64%	0.65%	0.67%	0.63%	7.15%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XPH and BBC in my portfolio?

XPH and BBC have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XPH or BBC?

BBC has higher volatility (10.93%) compared to XPH (7.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XPH dropped -48.03% vs BBC's -76.85%.

Which ETF is better, XPH or BBC?

On 10-year performance, BBC leads with 7.64% vs 3.44% for XPH. On fees, XPH is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, XPH has been the lower-risk option at 7.03%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XPH or BBC?

Over the 10-year period, BBC has performed better with a 7.64% return vs 3.44%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XPH or BBC?

XPH is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for BBC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XPH or BBC?

BBC has the higher dividend yield at 1.56%, compared with 0.66% for XPH.

What is the main difference between XPH and BBC?

XPH tracks S&P Pharmaceuticals Select Industry Index, while BBC tracks LifeSci Biotechnology Clinical Trials Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Virtus Investment Partners. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XPH and 0.79% for BBC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BBC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.32 vs 1.77), 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.