Core Viewpoint - The First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology ETF (FBT) provides broad exposure to the Healthcare - Biotech segment, appealing to both institutional and retail investors due to its low cost and transparency [1][2]. Group 1: ETF Overview - FBT is a passively managed ETF launched on June 19, 2006, with assets exceeding $1.08 billion, making it one of the larger ETFs in the Healthcare - Biotech sector [1][3]. - The ETF aims to match the performance of the NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index, which is an equal dollar weighted index measuring the performance of biotechnology companies [3][4]. Group 2: Costs and Performance - The annual operating expense ratio for FBT is 0.54%, which is competitive within its peer group, and it has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 0.67% [5]. - As of August 18, 2025, FBT has increased by approximately 4.88% year-to-date and 4.32% over the past year, with a trading range between $145.666 and $182.19 in the last 52 weeks [8]. Group 3: Sector Exposure and Holdings - FBT has a 100% allocation in the Healthcare sector, with Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ACAD) representing about 4.41% of total assets, and the top 10 holdings accounting for approximately 39.27% of total assets [6][7]. Group 4: Alternatives and Market Position - FBT carries a Zacks ETF Rank of 3 (Hold), indicating it is a reasonable option for investors seeking exposure to the Healthcare ETFs market [9]. - Other alternatives in the space include SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (XBI) and iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB), with assets of $5.09 billion and $5.63 billion respectively, and lower expense ratios of 0.35% and 0.45% [10].

Core Insights - The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) is a smart beta ETF that provides broad exposure to the Health Care ETFs category, having debuted on February 5, 2001 [1] - Smart beta ETFs are designed to outperform traditional market cap weighted indexes by focusing on specific fundamental characteristics [3][4] - IBB is managed by Blackrock and has over $5.63 billion in assets, making it one of the largest ETFs in the Health Care sector [5] Fund Details - IBB aims to match the performance of the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index, which includes securities of NASDAQ listed biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies [5] - The fund has an annual operating expense of 0.45% and a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 0.28% [6] - The fund's portfolio is entirely allocated to the Healthcare sector, with Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc (VRTX) being the largest holding at approximately 7.96% of total assets [7][8] Performance Metrics - As of August 18, 2025, IBB has returned approximately 5.05% year-to-date but is down about -4.01% over the past year [10] - The fund has traded between $112.02 and $149.47 in the last 52 weeks, with a beta of 0.75 and a standard deviation of 20.16% over the trailing three-year period, indicating a higher risk profile [10] Alternatives - Other ETFs in the biotechnology space include the First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology ETF (FBT) and the SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (XBI), with assets of $1.08 billion and $5.09 billion respectively [12] - FBT has an expense ratio of 0.54% while XBI charges 0.35%, presenting lower-cost alternatives for investors [12]

Looking for broad exposure to the Healthcare - Biotech segment of the equity market? You should consider the iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) , a passively managed exchange traded fund launched on February 5, 2001. An increasingly popular option among retail and institutional investors, passively managed ETFs offer low costs, transparency, flexibility, and tax efficiency; they are also excellent vehicles for long term investors. Even though ETFs offer diversified exposure that minimizes single stock risk, in ...

Core Insights - The SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (XBI) is a smart beta ETF launched on January 31, 2006, providing broad exposure to the Health Care ETFs category [1] - XBI is managed by State Street Global Advisors and has over $5.04 billion in assets, making it one of the largest ETFs in the Health Care sector [5] - The ETF aims to match the performance of the S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index, which is a modified equal weight index representing the biotechnology sub-industry [6] Investment Strategy - Smart beta ETFs like XBI focus on non-cap weighted strategies, selecting stocks based on fundamental characteristics to enhance risk-return performance [3] - The ETF has an annual operating expense ratio of 0.35%, making it one of the least expensive options in its category [7] Sector Exposure and Holdings - XBI's portfolio is entirely allocated to the Healthcare sector, with Insmed Inc (INSM) being the largest holding at approximately 3.29% of total assets [8][9] - The top 10 holdings of XBI account for about 27.56% of its total assets under management [9] Performance Metrics - Year-to-date, XBI has experienced a loss of approximately -2.42%, and over the last 12 months, it is down about -6.86% [11] - The ETF has a beta of 0.86 and a standard deviation of 29.73% over the trailing three-year period, indicating a higher risk profile [11] Alternatives - Other ETFs in the biotechnology space include the First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology ETF (FBT) and the iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB), with assets of $1.03 billion and $5.52 billion respectively [13] - FBT has an expense ratio of 0.54%, while IBB charges 0.45%, providing investors with alternative options [13]