XPH vs. FXH

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

XPH (SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF) and FXH (First Trust Health Care AlphaDEX Fund) are both Health & Biotech Equities funds - XPH tracks the S&P Pharmaceuticals Select Industry Index while FXH tracks the StrataQuant Health Care Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XPH returned 5.45%/yr vs 7.49%/yr for FXH. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. XPH charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.61%/yr for FXH.

Performance

XPH vs. FXH - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XPH achieves a 13.09% return, which is significantly higher than FXH's 2.70% return. Over the past 10 years, XPH has underperformed FXH with an annualized return of 5.45%, while FXH has yielded a comparatively higher 7.49% annualized return.

XPH

• 1D: 1.77%
• 1M: 9.48%
• YTD: 13.09%
• 6M: 12.03%
• 1Y: 55.30%
• 3Y*: 16.62%
• 5Y*: 5.15%
• 10Y*: 5.45%

FXH

• 1D: 0.91%
• 1M: 1.67%
• YTD: 2.70%
• 6M: 1.53%
• 1Y: 15.68%
• 3Y*: 3.46%
• 5Y*: 0.40%
• 10Y*: 7.49%

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

XPH vs. FXH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XPH SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF	13.09%	31.60%	4.94%	2.97%	-9.83%	-10.54%	14.68%	25.61%	-15.32%	12.05%
FXH First Trust Health Care AlphaDEX Fund	2.70%	10.16%	0.96%	-4.53%	-12.24%	15.20%	28.00%	22.26%	-1.33%	21.82%

Correlation

The correlation between XPH and FXH is 0.62, 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	0.62
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.70
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 10, 2007	0.77

The correlation between XPH and FXH shifts across timeframes, from 0.62 (1 year) to 0.77 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

XPH vs. FXH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XPH	FXH
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. FXH — Risk / Return Rank

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

XPH

XPH Risk / Return Rank: 82
XPH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
XPH Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
XPH Omega Ratio Rank: 75
XPH Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
XPH Martin Ratio Rank: 84

FXH

FXH Risk / Return Rank: 29
FXH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
FXH Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
FXH Omega Ratio Rank: 27
FXH Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
FXH Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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. FXH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF (XPH) and First Trust Health Care AlphaDEX Fund (FXH). 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.

	XPH	FXH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.55	0.98	+1.57
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.43	1.55	+1.89
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.18	+0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.64	1.29	+3.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.63	3.91	+12.72

XPH vs. FXH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XPH Sharpe Ratio is 2.55, which is higher than the FXH Sharpe Ratio of 0.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XPH and FXH, 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

XPH vs. FXH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XPH drawdown since its inception was -48.03%, which is greater than FXH's maximum drawdown of -43.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XPH and FXH.

Drawdown Indicators

	XPH	FXH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-48.03%	-43.70%	-4.33%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.97%	-12.20%	+0.23%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.57%	-17.53%	-6.04%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.63%	-29.49%	-2.14%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.97%	-30.61%	-5.36%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-7.26%	+7.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.21%	-9.45%	-7.76%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.33%	4.02%	-0.69%

Volatility

XPH vs. FXH - Volatility Comparison

SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF (XPH) has a higher volatility of 6.27% compared to First Trust Health Care AlphaDEX Fund (FXH) at 4.49%. This indicates that XPH's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FXH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XPH	FXH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.27%	4.49%	+1.78%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.67%	11.44%	+5.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.77%	16.03%	+5.74%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.92%	16.56%	+4.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.09%	18.47%	+3.62%

XPH vs. FXH - Expense Ratio Comparison

XPH has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than FXH's 0.61% expense ratio.

Dividends

XPH vs. FXH - Dividend Comparison

XPH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.53%, less than FXH's 0.83% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FXH First Trust Health Care AlphaDEX Fund	0.83%	0.75%	0.41%	0.24%	0.20%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XPH SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF	0.53%	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 FXH in my portfolio?

XPH and FXH have a correlation of 0.62, 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 FXH?

XPH has higher volatility (6.27%) compared to FXH (4.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XPH dropped -48.03% vs FXH's -43.70%.

Which ETF is better, XPH or FXH?

On 10-year performance, FXH leads with 7.49% vs 5.45% for XPH. On fees, XPH is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, FXH has been the lower-risk option at 4.49%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XPH or FXH?

Over the 10-year period, FXH has performed better with a 7.49% return vs 5.45%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XPH or FXH?

XPH is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.61% for FXH.

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

FXH has the higher dividend yield at 0.83%, compared with 0.53% for XPH.

What is the main difference between XPH and FXH?

XPH tracks S&P Pharmaceuticals Select Industry Index, while FXH tracks StrataQuant Health Care Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XPH and 0.61% for FXH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XPH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.55 vs 0.98), 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.