XBI vs IBB: which was the better investment?
SPDR S&P Biotech ETF against iShares Biotechnology ETF on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Feb 6, 2006 to Jul 15, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did XBI beat IBB?
Yes — measured from Feb 6, 2006 to Jul 15, 2026 with dividends reinvested, XBI came out ahead: $98,870 versus $73,246 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 11.9% annual return against 10.2%.
What would $10,000 in XBI be worth today?
$10,000 invested in SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (XBI) on Feb 6, 2006 would be worth about $98,870 as of Jul 15, 2026, a total return of 888.7% (11.9% per year). The same $10,000 in IBB would be worth $73,246.
Which was riskier — XBI or IBB?
XBI swung with an annualized volatility of 30.6% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -63.9%; IBB ran at 23.7% volatility with a -39.8% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.32 for XBI vs 0.35 for IBB.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Feb 6, 2006 through Jul 15, 2026 — the full period where both assets have price history. Adjusted prices include dividends and splits, so these are total returns. The page refreshes with new market data every day.
Can I change the dates, amounts, or add monthly investing?
Yes — the interactive tool on this page is pre-loaded with XBI vs IBB. You can set any start and end date, change the starting amount, add monthly contributions, or build a multi-asset portfolio and compare it against any benchmark.