IBB: iShares Biotechnology ETF returns, drawdowns and risk
Funds on a single sector of the US market: financials, energy, health care, industrials and more.
Data updated October 2026
IBB · US exchange · USDCategory: US sector ETFsData from October 2006
From October 2006 to October 2026 IBB returned 11.2% a year on average with dividends reinvested, in US dollars: $10,000 invested at the start grew to $82,802.
Its deepest fall was 39.8%, from August 2021 to June 2022, and it took about 53 months to get back to the previous high. Annual volatility was 23.9%; at the last close it was 3.0% below its high.
Against SPY (SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust), over the 240 months both have data, the correlation of monthly returns was 0.63: they moved together only in part. Beta was 0.83. In months when SPY rose, IBB moved 96% as much on average; in months when SPY fell, 87% as much.
Key figures
- Annual return (CAGR)
- +11.2%
- 1-year return
- +34.8%
- 5 years, a year
- +6.2%
- 10 years, a year
- +9.1%
- Annual volatility
- 23.9%
- Maximum drawdown
- −39.8%
- Sharpe ratio
- 0.50
- Worst year
- 2016: −21.5%
Trailing returns
| Period | IBB | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | +34.8% | +16.6% |
| 3 years, a year | +21.9% | +23.1% |
| 5 years, a year | +6.2% | +12.7% |
| 10 years, a year | +9.1% | +15.4% |
To the last close of October 2026. Periods longer than a year are annualised.
Growth of $10,000: IBB vs SPY
Month-end values from November 2006, the first month both funds have data.
IBB drawdowns
Percentage below the previous high, weekly.
Returns by calendar year
| Year | IBB | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| 2026(partial) | +24.8% | +13.3% |
| 2025 | +28.0% | +17.7% |
| 2024 | −2.4% | +24.9% |
| 2023 | +3.8% | +26.2% |
| 2022 | −13.7% | −18.2% |
| 2021 | +0.9% | +28.7% |
| 2020 | +26.0% | +18.3% |
| 2019 | +25.4% | +31.2% |
| 2018 | −9.5% | −4.6% |
| 2017 | +20.9% | +21.7% |
| 2016 | −21.5% | +12.0% |
| 2015 | +11.5% | +1.2% |
| 2014 | +33.7% | +13.5% |
| 2013 | +65.5% | +32.3% |
| 2012 | +31.7% | +16.0% |
| 2011 | +11.7% | +1.9% |
| 2010 | +14.4% | +15.1% |
| 2009 | +15.2% | +26.4% |
| 2008 | −12.4% | −36.8% |
| 2007 | +4.4% | +5.1% |
| 2006(partial) | −1.1% | — |
How the figures are calculated
Total return in the fund’s trading currency, from end-of-day prices with dividends reinvested on the ex-date. The fund’s own ongoing charges are already reflected in its price; trading costs, taxes and currency conversion are not included. Past returns do not predict future returns.
Sharpe ratio uses the return of short-term government bills in the same currency as the risk-free rate. The growth chart uses month-end values; drawdowns and volatility use daily closes.
Questions
What is the average annual return of IBB?
From October 2006 to October 2026 IBB returned 11.2% a year on average (CAGR) with dividends reinvested, in USD. Over the last 5 years: +6.2% a year. Over the last 12 months: +34.8%.
What was the worst drawdown of IBB?
39.8%, from August 2021 to June 2022; it took about 53 months from the previous high to get back to it.
How volatile is IBB?
Annual volatility was 23.9% over the period. Its worst month was −21.1% and 58% of months were positive. Worst calendar year: 2016 (−21.5%).
How closely does IBB follow SPY?
Over 240 months the correlation of monthly returns was 0.63, so they moved together only in part, with a beta of 0.83.
Use IBB in a free tool
Other US sector ETFs
- All US sector ETFsReturns and risk side by side
- XLF — Financial Select Sector SPDR FundCAGR +16.3%
- XLV — Health Care Select Sector SPDR FundCAGR +11.0%
- XLI — Industrial Select Sector SPDR FundCAGR +10.3%
- XLP — Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR FundCAGR +9.2%
- XLC — Communication Services Select Sector SPDR FundCAGR +12.7%
- VHT — Vanguard Health Care ETFCAGR +10.3%
- VFH — Vanguard Financials ETFCAGR +16.5%
- VDE — Vanguard Energy ETFCAGR +26.4%
- XBI — SPDR S&P Biotech ETFCAGR +6.2%
- KRE — SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETFCAGR +4.4%
- KBE — SPDR S&P Bank ETFCAGR +3.0%
Source: MarketStack end-of-day prices, total return with dividends reinvested. Figures are historical and descriptive; they are not forecasts and not investment advice. MEDGE Capital does not recommend buying or selling any instrument. Risk disclaimer.