A side-by-side comparison of First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (FTXH) and Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF (PBPH) 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 | FTXH | PBPH |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +23.13%✓ | +20.19% |
| 1-Day Change | +1.22% | +2.51%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | +1.33% | +2.10%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | +5.55%✓ | +8.34% |
| Current Price | $43.77 | $30.76 |
| AUM | $1.15B✓ | $1.12B |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0.57% | — |
| Dividend Yield | 0.71% | — |
| Distribution Frequency | NA | — |
| Inception Date | 2016-09-20 | 2025-11-25 |
| Holdings Count | 50 | 52 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | — |
| Category | Healthcare Equity | Healthcare Equity |
| Beta | 0.43 | 0.00 |
| 52-Week High | $44.19 | $30.92 |
| 52-Week Low | $29.60 | $24.16 |
| 50-Day MA | $41.60 | $28.80 |
| 200-Day MA | $37.09 | $26.81 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | FTXH | PBPH |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +23.13%✓ | +20.19% |
| 1 Year | +46.14% | — |
| 3 Year | +24.37% | — |
| 5 Year | +13.05% | — |
| 10 Year | +10.16% | — |
| 1Y Volatility | 13.63% | 0.00% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 0.96 | 0.00 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 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% |
| 1 | LLY | Eli Lilly and Company | 16.42% |
| 2 | JNJ | Johnson & Johnson | 9.79% |
| 3 | ABBV | AbbVie Inc | 7.72% |
| 4 | MRK | Merck & Company Inc | 5.38% |
| 5 | ROP | Roche Holding AG | 4.85% |
| 6 | AZN | AstraZeneca PLC | 4.41% |
| 7 | AMGN | Amgen Inc | 4.63% |
| 8 | NOVN | Novartis AG | 4.00% |
| 9 | GILD | Gilead Sciences Inc | 3.89% |
| 10 | PFE | Pfizer Inc | 3.37% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | FTXH | PBPH |
|---|---|---|
| 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 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.
About PBPH
The fund uses a "passive management" approach to track the performance, before fees and expenses, of the index. The index is constructed using a rules-based methodology that identifies companies in the pharmaceutical and/or biotechnology industries with publicly traded ordinary shares listed on major stock exchanges in developed markets, as classified by BITA GmbH. Under normal circumstances, the fund will invest at least 80% of the fund"s net assets in component securities that make up the inde…
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both FTXH and PBPH 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, FTXH 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 FTXH and PBPH?
FTXH (First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF) and PBPH (Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($1.15B vs $1.12B), dividend yield (0.71% vs N/A), and year-to-date performance (+23.13% vs +20.19%).
Is FTXH better than PBPH?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, FTXH has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy FTXH and PBPH on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both FTXH and PBPH should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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