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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.
State Street SPDR S&P Biotech ETF carries a lower expense ratio of 0.35% compared to First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund. FBT maintains a highly concentrated portfolio of only 30 holdings, while XBI spans 155 companies.
The iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF provides broad sector exposure with 100 holdings, while the First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund focuses on a concentrated basket of 30 biotech stocks. The First Trust fund has delivered higher recent returns but experiences greater price volatility.
Biotech investors picking between the First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund (NYSEARCA:FBT) and the iShares Biotechnology ETF (NASDAQ:IBB) often treat them as interchangeable proxies for the same sector.
FBT surged 51.6% in one year but carries higher risk and costs. VHT offers broader diversification at a fraction of the expense ratio.
iShares Global Healthcare ETF provides broad exposure to 110 global stocks while First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund concentrates on 30 biotech positions. iShares Global Healthcare ETF carries a lower expense ratio of 0.40% compared to 0.55% for First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund.