Dividend comparison
IBB vs XBI: Which Is Better?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for iShares Biotechnology ETF and State Street SPDR S&P Biotech ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
IBB vs XBI: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Fees. XBI is cheaper at 0.35% a year versus 0.44% for IBB. On $10,000 that is $9 a year less in fees.
- Income. XBI pays more income, yielding 0.36% over the last twelve months versus 0.16% for IBB. That is about $19 more a year on $10,000. IBB pays quarterly, XBI pays semi-annual.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, IBB returned 35.2% versus 25.1% for XBI, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $13,517 in IBB and $12,510 in XBI.
- Risk. XBI has been the bumpier ride. Its worst peak-to-trough decline over the last 5 years was -53.2%, against -35.7% for IBB.
- Diversification. IBB holds 243 positions and XBI holds 165. The ten largest positions make up 51.4% of IBB and 17.9% of XBI.
- Overlap. 41% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 66 shared holdings.
- Dividend growth. XBI grew its yearly payout 419.8% a year over the last 2 years, versus 4.9% for IBB.
Bottom line: IBB fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns and smaller drawdowns. XBI fits better if you care most about lower fees and faster dividend growth.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
| Metric | IBB iShares Biotechnology ETF | XBI State Street SPDR S&P Biotech ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 0.16% | 0.36% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $0.34 | $0.54 |
| Payout frequency | Quarterly | Semi-annual |
| Last dividend | $0.0112 on Sep 18, 2026 | $0.1381 on Jun 24, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Sep 15, 2026 | Jun 22, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 4.9% over 4 yrs | 419.8% over 2 yrs |
| Price | $210.50 | $153.24 |
| Dividend growth streak | — | 2 years |
| Beta | 0.70 | 1.10 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -35.7% | -53.2% |
| Market cap | $10.46B | $7.55B |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | AMEX |
| Expense ratio | 0.44% | 0.35% |
| Assets under management | $10.51B | $9.88B |
| Number of holdings | 243 | 165 |
| Top 10 concentration | 51.4% | 17.9% |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
IBB
$1.35/mo
$16 /yr at 0.16% yield
XBI
$2.96/mo
$36 /yr at 0.36% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. IBB pays quarterly; XBI pays semi-annual.
| Year | IBB | XBI |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $0.3871 | $0.4458 |
| 2024 | $0.3888 | $0.1327 |
| 2023 | $0.3479 | $0.0165 |
| 2022 | $0.4090 | — |
| 2021 | $0.3192 | — |
Strategy: Sector and thematic
Funds that hold a single industry or theme, such as technology, semiconductors, healthcare or energy. Funds covering the same sector can still differ in concentration rules: some cap the largest positions while others let the biggest companies take a quarter of the fund. Sector funds are usually used to tilt a portfolio rather than as its core.
A single sector can fall far further than the broad market and stay down for years, and the largest names often dominate the fund.
Performance
Total returns with dividends reinvested, from the adjusted closing price series. $10,000 invested on Oct 20, 2021 would now be worth $13,517 in IBB and $12,510 in XBI.
| Period | IBB | XBI |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | 2.90% | -2.22% |
| 3 months | 12.86% | 1.52% |
| Year to date | 24.84% | 25.80% |
| 1 year | 34.78% | 39.69% |
| 3 years | 80.95% | 130.44% |
| 5 years | 35.17% | 25.10% |
- IBB
- XBI
Both series indexed to 100 on 2021-10-20 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Sector allocation
Weight of each sector within the fund. Sectors are aligned on the same row so the two funds can be read against each other directly.
- IBB
- XBI
IBB vs XBI holdings overlap
41% overlap by weight, with 66 holdings in common. Overlap adds up the smaller of the two weights for every stock both funds own, so 100% would mean identical portfolios.
| Largest shared holdings | IBB weight | XBI weight |
|---|---|---|
| MRNAMODERNA | 5.82% | 2.56% |
| NTRANATERA | 3.87% | 1.85% |
| BIIBBIOGEN | 2.50% | 1.70% |
| AMGNAMGEN INC | 8.31% | 1.66% |
| UTHRUNITED THERAPEUTICS | 1.62% | 1.64% |
| GILDGILEAD SCIENCES | 8.83% | 1.61% |
| REGNREGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS | 5.73% | 1.48% |
| VRTXVERTEX PHARMACEUTICALS | 7.59% | 1.48% |
| ALNYALNYLAM PHARMACEUTICALS | 2.26% | 1.39% |
| INCYINCYTE CORP | 1.66% | 1.38% |
Top 10 holdings
Largest positions by portfolio weight.
IBB243 holdings total
Quick verdict
IBB fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns and smaller drawdowns. XBI fits better if you care most about lower fees and faster dividend growth. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
Forecast dividend income, track payouts, and see how IBB vs XBI fits with the rest of your holdings. Free to start — no credit card required for the trial.
Frequently asked questions
Is IBB or XBI better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. IBB currently yields 0.16% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while XBI yields 0.36%. Higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, but may come with different risk, growth, or NAV characteristics. Compare total return and payout sustainability — not just the headline yield.
What is the difference between IBB and XBI?
iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) is an ETF listed on NASDAQ. State Street SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (XBI) is an ETF listed on AMEX. Side-by-side metrics on this page cover yield, fees, returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history when available.
Which is cheaper, IBB or XBI?
XBI has the lower expense ratio. IBB charges 0.44% a year and XBI charges 0.35%, a difference of $9 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which has performed better, IBB or XBI?
Over the last 5 years, IBB has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: IBB returned 35.2% and XBI returned 25.1%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, IBB or XBI?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, XBI has been riskier: IBB fell as much as 35.7% and XBI as much as 53.2%. Their betas are 0.70 and 1.10.
How much do IBB and XBI overlap?
About 41% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 66 shared holdings. The largest shared positions are MRNA, NTRA, BIIB. Holding both still adds meaningful diversification.
How often do IBB and XBI pay dividends?
IBB pays quarterly and XBI pays semi-annual.
How much income does $10,000 in IBB vs XBI generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in IBB would generate roughly $1.35 per month ($16 annually). The same amount in XBI would produce about $2.96 per month ($36 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both IBB and XBI?
Yes. Many income investors hold both to diversify strategy or index exposure. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on overlapping holdings and factor exposure. Model both inside Dividend Wealth to see combined income, sector mix, and forecast impact.
Where can I compare IBB vs XBI with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how IBB and XBI fit alongside the rest of your portfolio. A 14-day free trial of Standard is available with no credit card required; a limited Free plan is also available.
For informational and educational purposes only. Not investment advice. Past performance and current yields do not guarantee future results. Verify figures independently before making investment decisions.