XT vs. IXJ

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

XT (iShares Future Exponential Technologies ETF) and IXJ (iShares Global Healthcare ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XT is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Exponential Technologies Index (Net), while IXJ is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the S&P Global 1200 Health Care (Sector) Capped Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XT returned 13.76%/yr vs 8.22%/yr for IXJ. Their 0.68 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. XT charges 0.46%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for IXJ.

Performance

XT vs. IXJ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Future Exponential Technologies ETF (XT) and iShares Global Healthcare ETF (IXJ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XT achieves a 14.60% return, which is significantly higher than IXJ's 3.85% return. Over the past 10 years, XT has outperformed IXJ with an annualized return of 13.76%, while IXJ has yielded a comparatively lower 8.22% annualized return.

XT

• 1D: 0.67%
• 1M: -3.25%
• 6M: 10.42%
• YTD: 14.60%
• 1Y: 31.94%
• 3Y*: 14.43%
• 5Y*: 6.65%
• 10Y*: 13.76%
• ALL TIME*: 12.23%

IXJ

• 1D: -0.97%
• 1M: -1.26%
• 6M: 2.41%
• YTD: 3.85%
• 1Y: 21.78%
• 3Y*: 7.07%
• 5Y*: 4.53%
• 10Y*: 8.22%
• ALL TIME*: 7.37%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
IXJ iShares Global Healthcare ETF	$16.06M	$16.61M	$23.38M
XT iShares Future Exponential Technologies ETF	$6.31M	$6.35M	$10.20M

XT vs. IXJ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XT iShares Future Exponential Technologies ETF	14.60%	26.28%	0.29%	27.02%	-27.83%	16.43%	35.10%	30.74%	-4.93%	33.71%
IXJ iShares Global Healthcare ETF	3.85%	14.99%	0.55%	3.62%	-4.94%	19.60%	12.74%	23.23%	2.83%	20.44%

Correlation

The correlation between XT and IXJ is 0.34, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.34
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.45
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.54
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.65
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 24, 2015	0.68

Over the past year, the correlation between XT and IXJ has dropped to 0.34 - well below their long-term average of 0.68, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

XT vs. IXJ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XT	IXJ
Technology	42.9%	0.4%
Healthcare	28.5%	99.2%
Industrials	8.0%	-
Consumer Cyclical	6.7%	-
Utilities	4.9%	-
Communication Services	4.0%	-
Financial Services	3.2%	-
Basic Materials	1.5%	-
Energy	0.1%	-
Real Estate	0.0%	-
Consumer Defensive	0.0%	0.5%

Return for Risk

XT vs. IXJ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

XT

XT Risk / Return Rank: 76
XT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
XT Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
XT Omega Ratio Rank: 71
XT Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
XT Martin Ratio Rank: 81

IXJ

IXJ Risk / Return Rank: 61
IXJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
IXJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
IXJ Omega Ratio Rank: 62
IXJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
IXJ Martin Ratio Rank: 45

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

XT vs. IXJ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Future Exponential Technologies ETF (XT) and iShares Global Healthcare ETF (IXJ). 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.

	XT	IXJ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.72	1.50	+0.22
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.36	2.38	-0.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.27	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.93	2.10	+0.83
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.56	4.99	+5.57

XT vs. IXJ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XT Sharpe Ratio is 1.72, which is comparable to the IXJ Sharpe Ratio of 1.50. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XT and IXJ, 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

XT vs. IXJ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XT drawdown since its inception was -34.41%, smaller than the maximum IXJ drawdown of -40.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XT and IXJ.

Drawdown Indicators

	XT	IXJ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.41%	-40.60%	+6.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.45%	-10.78%	+0.33%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.09%	-18.14%	-3.95%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.41%	-18.14%	-16.27%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.41%	-27.35%	-7.06%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.11%	-2.52%	-2.59%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.35%	-6.90%	-0.45%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.89%	4.52%	-1.63%

Volatility

XT vs. IXJ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Future Exponential Technologies ETF (XT) is 4.91%, while iShares Global Healthcare ETF (IXJ) has a volatility of 5.66%. This indicates that XT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IXJ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XT	IXJ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.91%	5.66%	-0.75%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.41%	11.61%	+2.80%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.86%	15.38%	+2.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.08%	14.50%	+6.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.12%	15.74%	+4.38%

XT vs. IXJ - Expense Ratio Comparison

XT has a 0.46% expense ratio, which is higher than IXJ's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

XT vs. IXJ - Dividend Comparison

XT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.15%, more than IXJ's 1.44% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IXJ iShares Global Healthcare ETF	1.44%	1.40%	1.50%	1.38%	1.17%	1.12%	1.27%	1.42%	2.11%	1.46%	1.73%	2.85%
XT iShares Future Exponential Technologies ETF	7.15%	7.95%	0.66%	0.41%	0.78%	0.84%	0.77%	1.55%	1.40%	0.97%	1.37%	1.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XT and IXJ in my portfolio?

XT and IXJ have a correlation of 0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XT or IXJ?

IXJ has higher volatility (5.66%) compared to XT (4.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XT dropped -34.41% vs IXJ's -40.60%.

Which ETF is better, XT or IXJ?

On 10-year performance, XT leads with 13.76% vs 8.22% for IXJ. On fees, IXJ is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, XT has been the lower-risk option at 4.91%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XT or IXJ?

Over the 10-year period, XT has performed better with a 13.76% return vs 8.22%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XT or IXJ?

IXJ is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.46% for XT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XT or IXJ?

XT has the higher dividend yield at 7.15%, compared with 1.44% for IXJ.

What is the main difference between XT and IXJ?

XT is categorized as Technology Equities, while IXJ is Health & Biotech Equities. XT tracks Morningstar Exponential Technologies Index (Net), while IXJ tracks S&P Global 1200 Health Care (Sector) Capped Index. Their fees differ too: 0.46% for XT and 0.40% for IXJ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.72 vs 1.50), 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.