
The First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund (FBT) is an exchange-traded fund (ETF) designed with a clear purpose: to accurately reflect the price movements and income generated by the NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index. Its core objective is to closely match the performance of this benchmark index, before accounting for the fund's operational fees and expenses.
Is FBT's expense ratio expensive, average, or a steal for its category?
Pro reveals the verdict on a 5-tier spectrum calibrated against ICI 2025 industry averages, with strategy-aware bands so the comparison is meaningful.

The First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund has outperformed the VanEck Biotech ETF on a one-year basis and over the last five years. The VanEck Biotech ETF offers a lower expense ratio of 0.35% compared to 0.55% for the First Trust fund.

Biotech ETFs offer diversified exposure to oncology innovation as cancer funding surges and the global oncology drug market expands.

A smart beta exchange traded fund, the First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology ETF (FBT) debuted on 06/19/2006, and offers broad exposure to the Health Care ETFs category of the market.

One fund offers broad sector exposure at 0.08% cost; the other concentrates on 30 biotech stocks with higher volatility but stronger recent returns.

Launched on June 19, 2006, the First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology ETF (FBT) is a passively managed exchange traded fund designed to provide a broad exposure to the Healthcare - Biotech segment of the equity market.