IXJ vs XPH: Global Healthcare ETF or Pharma Focus?
XPH delivered 57% returns over one year but swung 31% lower at its worst. IXJ offers steadier performance with higher income and $4.2 billion in assets for easier trading.
Overview
The iShares Global Healthcare ETF (NYSEMKT:IXJ) offers broad sector diversification and lower volatility, while the State Street SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF (NYSEMKT:XPH) provides concentrated exposure to U.S. drugmakers.
Investors seeking healthcare exposure must choose between broad-sector and sub-industry focus. While both funds target the same general space, they differ significantly in geographical reach, concentration, and historical risk profiles. This comparison evaluates whether global diversification or specialized pharma focus better aligns with your portfolio goals.
Beta measures price volatility relative to the S&P 500; beta is calculated from monthly returns over the available fund history (up to five years). The 1-yr return represents total return over the trailing 12 months. Dividend yield is the trailing-12-month distribution yield.
Details
Source
Originally published at www.fool.com.