iShares Biotechnology ETF
$213.79−3.82 (−1.76%)
- 0.44%
- $11.5B
- +36.8%
- 0.16%
- 1.65M sh
- low $154.62high $222.29
The ETF.net IBB Grade
A
Score 75 out of 100
- 3 of 17
Score 75 of 100 falls in the A band. A is 70 or higher, B 55 to under 70, C 40 to under 55, D 25 to under 40, F under 25.
Cost
The fund’s net expense ratio, ranked against its category.B69 out of 100Rank 6 of 17Mission
Whether the fund did what it promised, tested against its stated mandate.A83 out of 100Rank 5 of 9Risk
How the fund held up when markets fell: downside volatility, drawdowns and tail loss.B69 out of 100Rank 5 of 17Tradability
How easy the fund is to trade: daily volume, and how far its price strays from net asset value.A95 out of 100Rank 2 of 17Holdings
How concentrated the fund is, and how complete and current its disclosed holdings are.C45 out of 100Rank 13 of 17Durability
Whether the fund is likely to stay open, judged by its age, its assets and its issuer’s assets.A89 out of 100Rank 1 of 17
Our read on IBB
In short
ABiotech's original index fund. Since 2001 IBB has packed the whole US biotech sector, roughly 250 names, into one line item for 0.44% a year, below what the typical biotech fund charges.
Stated mandate
The Fund seeks to track an index composed of U.S.-listed equities focused on the biotechnology sector.
Why people hold it
Worth knowing
IBB Holdings
- Stocks
- 243
- 51%
- GILD
Sectors
- Biotechnology87.5%
- Life Sciences Tools & Services9.6%
- Pharmaceuticals2.7%
- Health Care Services0.1%
- Health Care Equipment0.1%
Geography
- United States94.28%
- Denmark2.12%
- United Kingdom1.54%
- Canada0.46%
- France0.44%
- Switzerland0.34%
- Netherlands0.29%
- China0.15%
- 0.38%
IBB Performance
Shows how $10,000 changes over the selected period, with cash distributions reinvested at the closing price on each ex-dividend date.
IBB$13,681
Returns run to the Oct 30, 2026 close, with cash distributions reinvested. Each period starts on the same date that many months or years earlier. Periods over one year show the average yearly return.
| Period | IBB |
|---|---|
| Year to date | +29.1% |
| 1 month | +3.4% |
| 3 months | +16.7% |
| 1 year | +36.8% |
| 3 years | +24.5% |
| 5 years | +6.7% |
| 10 years | +10.1% |
Calendar-year total return with cash distributions hypothetically reinvested at the ex-dividend date’s closing price. The current year shows year to date.
| Year | Return bar | IBB |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 YTD | +29.1% | |
| 2025 | +28.0% | |
| 2024 | −2.4% | |
| 2023 | +3.8% | |
| 2022 | −13.7% | |
| 2021 | +1.0% | |
| 2020 | +26.0% |
IBB in the news
IBB Dividends
- 0.16%
- $0.34
- $0.01 per share
- Quarterly
IBB Risk
- 17.9%
How it’s calculated: standard deviation
The sample standard deviation of monthly total returns, multiplied by the square root of 12.
Uses up to 36 complete months, with at least 12 required. Total returns include reinvested distributions.
- 1.07
How it’s calculated: Sharpe ratio
Subtract each month’s Treasury-bill return from the fund’s monthly total return.
Divide the average of those excess returns by their sample standard deviation, then multiply by the square root of 12.
Uses up to 36 complete months, with at least 12 required. Each month uses the Treasury yield quoted at the end of the previous month.
- −35.7%
How it’s calculated: maximum drawdown
The largest percentage decline from an earlier peak, using total returns with reinvested distributions.
Uses up to five years through the last close, with at least 12 months required.
- 0.70
How it’s calculated: beta
The beta figure is supplied by FMP. The comparison index depends on the fund’s broad asset class.
FMP measures it over up to five years of monthly returns.
IBB Cost
Overpaying vs IBBQ, cheapest in Biotech & Genomics
$4,900
On $10,000 over 30 years. 7% growth a year before fees, expense ratio only.
IBB 0.44%
$8,852
IBBQ 0.19% Cheapest
$3,952
Cost over time
Year by year
| Year | IBB | IBBQ | Overpaying |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | $794 | $347 | $447 |
| 20 | $3,061 | $1,351 | $1,710 |
| 30 | $8,852 | $3,952 | $4,900 |
Other funds in Biotech & Genomics
- AXBIState Street SPDR S&P Biotech ETFExpense ratio 0.35%1 year return +39.0%
- AIBBQInvesco Nasdaq Biotechnology ETFExpense ratio 0.19%1 year return +37.1%
- ABBPVirtus Biotech ETFExpense ratio 0.34%1 year return +39.6%
- BBBHVanEck Biotech ETFExpense ratio 0.35%1 year return +43.1%
- BFBTFirst Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index FundExpense ratio 0.55%1 year return +44.3%
