A side-by-side comparison of iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) and First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (FTXH) to help Canadian investors make an informed decision.
1-Year Performance
Normalised to 100 at the start — shows relative return over the trailing 12 months.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | IBB | FTXH |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +25.62%✓ | +23.13% |
| 1-Day Change | +0.70% | +1.22%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | +3.97%✓ | +1.33% |
| 1-Month Change | +3.48%✓ | +5.55% |
| Current Price | $217.86 | $43.77 |
| AUM | $11.03B✓ | $1.15B |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0.46%✓ | 0.57% |
| Dividend Yield | 0.16% | 0.71%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | NA | NA |
| Inception Date | 2001-02-05 | 2016-09-20 |
| Holdings Count | 236 | 50 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | — |
| Category | Healthcare Equity | Healthcare Equity |
| Beta | 0.70 | 0.43 |
| 52-Week High | $220.31 | $44.19 |
| 52-Week Low | $154.31 | $29.60 |
| 50-Day MA | $208.27 | $41.60 |
| 200-Day MA | $184.29 | $37.09 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | IBB | FTXH |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +25.62%✓ | +23.13% |
| 1 Year | +36.32% | +46.14%✓ |
| 3 Year | +23.19% | +24.37%✓ |
| 5 Year | +6.57% | +13.05%✓ |
| 10 Year | +9.02% | +10.16%✓ |
| 1Y Volatility | 18.53% | 13.63% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 0.80 | 0.96 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | GILD | Gilead Sciences Inc | 8.18% |
| 2 | AMGN | Amgen Inc | 8.00% |
| 3 | VRTX | Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc | 7.36% |
| 4 | REGN | Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc | 5.53% |
| 5 | MRNA | Moderna Inc | 5.07% |
| 6 | NTRA | Natera Inc | 3.88% |
| 7 | ARGX | argenx NV ADR | 3.48% |
| 8 | ILMN | Illumina Inc | 2.96% |
| 9 | BIIB | Biogen Inc | 2.54% |
| 10 | RVMD | Revolution Medicines Inc | 2.51% |
| 1 | ABBV | AbbVie Inc | 7.51% |
| 2 | LLY | Eli Lilly and Company | 7.55% |
| 3 | PFE | Pfizer Inc | 7.00% |
| 4 | JNJ | Johnson & Johnson | 7.19% |
| 5 | MRK | Merck & Company Inc | 6.52% |
| 6 | BIIB | Biogen Inc | 3.86% |
| 7 | VTRS | Viatris Inc | 3.73% |
| 8 | GILD | Gilead Sciences Inc | 3.73% |
| 9 | AMGN | Amgen Inc | 3.71% |
| 10 | UTHR | United Therapeutics Corporation | 3.70% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | IBB | FTXH |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Communication Services | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Defensive | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Energy | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Financial Services | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Healthcare | 100.00% | 100.00% |
| Industrials | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Real Estate | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Technology | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Utilities | 0.00% | 0.00% |
About IBB
The fund generally will invest at least 80% of its assets in the component securities of its underlying index and may invest up to 20% of its assets in certain futures, options and swap contracts, cash and cash equivalents. It is non-diversified.
About FTXH
The fund will normally invest at least 80% of its net assets (including investment borrowings) in the securities that comprise the index. The index is designed to provide exposure to U.S. companies comprising the pharmaceutical sector that have been selected based upon their liquidity and ranking. It is non-diversified.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both IBB and FTXH are listed on Canadian exchanges and accessible through most Canadian brokerages including Questrade, Wealthsimple Trade, TD Direct, and Interactive Brokers.
Based on the available data, IBB scores higher across our tracked metrics including YTD performance, dividend yield, and AUM — though both ETFs warrant individual research before investing.
- Consider your account type (TFSA, RRSP, non-registered) as it can affect dividend taxation.
- Compare management expense ratios (MER) directly on each provider's website.
- Look at average daily trading volume to assess liquidity.
- Review the fund's underlying index and holdings to ensure the exposure matches your goals.
This is not financial advice. Always do your own research or consult a licensed financial advisor before investing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between IBB and FTXH?
IBB (iShares Biotechnology ETF) and FTXH (First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($11.03B vs $1.15B), dividend yield (0.16% vs 0.71%), and year-to-date performance (+25.62% vs +23.13%).
Is IBB better than FTXH?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, IBB has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy IBB and FTXH on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both IBB and FTXH should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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