Dividend comparison
IYH vs FHLC: Which Is Better?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF and Fidelity MSCI Health Care Index ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
IYH vs FHLC: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Fees. FHLC is cheaper at 0.08% a year versus 0.37% for IYH. On $10,000 that is $29 a year less in fees.
- Income. FHLC pays more income, yielding 1.18% over the last twelve months versus 1.06% for IYH. That is about $12 more a year on $10,000. IYH pays quarterly, FHLC pays weekly.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, IYH returned 41.3% versus 39.2% for FHLC, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $14,132 in IYH and $13,922 in FHLC.
- Risk. Their worst declines over the last 5 years were similar: -17.9% for IYH and -17.7% for FHLC from peak to trough.
- Diversification. FHLC holds 365 positions and IYH holds 100. The ten largest positions make up 58.8% of IYH and 52.1% of FHLC.
- Overlap. 88% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 82 shared holdings. Owning both adds little diversification.
- Dividend growth. IYH grew its yearly payout 8.2% a year over the last 4 years, versus 6.8% for FHLC.
Bottom line: IYH fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns and faster dividend growth. FHLC fits better if you care most about lower fees and broader diversification. With 88% overlap, most investors would hold one or the other rather than both.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
| Metric | IYH iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF | FHLC Fidelity MSCI Health Care Index ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 1.06% | 1.18% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $0.80 | $1.02 |
| Payout frequency | Quarterly | Weekly |
| Last dividend | $0.1908 on Sep 18, 2026 | $0.2540 on Sep 22, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Sep 15, 2026 | Sep 18, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 8.2% over 4 yrs | 6.8% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $75.52 | $86.30 |
| Dividend growth streak | 4 years | 4 years |
| Beta | 0.57 | 0.59 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -17.9% | -17.7% |
| Market cap | $4.33B | $3.54B |
| Exchange | AMEX | AMEX |
| Expense ratio | 0.37% | 0.08% |
| Assets under management | $4.48B | $3.54B |
| Number of holdings | 100 | 365 |
| Top 10 concentration | 58.8% | 52.1% |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
IYH
$8.81/mo
$106 /yr at 1.06% yield
FHLC
$9.83/mo
$118 /yr at 1.18% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. IYH pays quarterly; FHLC pays weekly.
| Year | IYH | FHLC |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $0.7731 | $1.0370 |
| 2024 | $0.7261 | $0.9880 |
| 2023 | $0.6760 | $0.9040 |
| 2022 | $0.6238 | $0.8330 |
| 2021 | $0.5638 | $0.7980 |
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 $14,132 in IYH and $13,922 in FHLC.
| Period | IYH | FHLC |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | 6.11% | 5.99% |
| 3 months | 13.04% | 10.09% |
| Year to date | 16.99% | 16.18% |
| 1 year | 25.24% | 23.80% |
| 3 years | 45.65% | 48.43% |
| 5 years | 41.32% | 39.22% |
- IYH
- FHLC
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.
- IYH
- FHLC
IYH vs FHLC holdings overlap
88% overlap by weight, with 82 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 | IYH weight | FHLC weight |
|---|---|---|
| LLYELI LILLY | 15.13% | 13.43% |
| JNJJOHNSON & JOHNSON | 9.35% | 8.27% |
| ABBVABBVIE | 7.65% | 6.76% |
| UNHUNITEDHEALTH GROUP | 5.62% | 5.00% |
| MRKMERCK & CO INC | 5.43% | 4.80% |
| TMOTHERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC | 3.86% | 3.42% |
| AMGNAMGEN INC | 3.51% | 3.10% |
| GILDGILEAD SCIENCES | 2.91% | 2.57% |
| ABTABBOTT LABORATORIES | 2.76% | 2.45% |
| PFEPFIZER | 2.56% | 2.27% |
Top 10 holdings
Largest positions by portfolio weight.
IYH100 holdings total
Quick verdict
IYH fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns and faster dividend growth. FHLC fits better if you care most about lower fees and broader diversification. With 88% overlap, most investors would hold one or the other rather than both. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
Forecast dividend income, track payouts, and see how IYH vs FHLC fits with the rest of your holdings. Free to start — no credit card required for the trial.
Frequently asked questions
Is IYH or FHLC better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. IYH currently yields 1.06% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while FHLC yields 1.18%. 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 IYH and FHLC?
iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF (IYH) is an ETF listed on AMEX. Fidelity MSCI Health Care Index ETF (FHLC) 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, IYH or FHLC?
FHLC has the lower expense ratio. IYH charges 0.37% a year and FHLC charges 0.08%, a difference of $29 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which has performed better, IYH or FHLC?
Over the last 5 years, IYH has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: IYH returned 41.3% and FHLC returned 39.2%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, IYH or FHLC?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, IYH has been riskier: IYH fell as much as 17.9% and FHLC as much as 17.7%. Their betas are 0.57 and 0.59.
How much do IYH and FHLC overlap?
About 88% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 82 shared holdings. The largest shared positions are LLY, JNJ, ABBV. Holding both adds little diversification.
How often do IYH and FHLC pay dividends?
IYH pays quarterly and FHLC pays weekly.
How much income does $10,000 in IYH vs FHLC generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in IYH would generate roughly $8.81 per month ($106 annually). The same amount in FHLC would produce about $9.83 per month ($118 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both IYH and FHLC?
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 IYH vs FHLC with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how IYH and FHLC 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.
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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.