iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) Analysis: Performance and Holdings Overview

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB), a passively managed exchange traded fund launched on February 5, 2001, has gained about 27.39% in the last one year as of February 25, 2026. So far this year, IBB has gained about 4.5%.

Designed to provide broad exposure to the Healthcare - Biotech segment of the equity market, the fund has amassed over $8.64 billion in assets, making it one of the largest ETFs in the Health Care ETFs category. IBB is managed by Blackrock and seeks to match the performance of the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index before fees and expenses. The ICE Biotechnology Index contains securities of NASDAQ listed companies that are classified as either biotechnology or pharmaceuticals.

During the past 52-week period, the fund has traded between $112.02 and $177.64. The ETF has a beta of 0.77 and standard deviation of 19.06% for the trailing three-year period, making it a high risk choice in this space. With about 263 holdings, it effectively diversifies company-specific risk.

Annual operating expenses for IBB are 0.44%, which makes it on par with most peer products in the space. The fund has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 0.22%.

IBB's heaviest allocation is in the Healthcare sector, which is about 100% of the portfolio. Looking at individual holdings, Gilead Sciences Inc (GILD) accounts for about 9.66% of total assets, followed by Amgen Inc (AMGN) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc (VRTX). The top 10 holdings account for about 50.16% of total assets under management.

Alternative ETFs in the space include the First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology ETF (FBT), which tracks NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index and has $2.39 billion in assets with an expense ratio of 0.54%, and the State Street SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (XBI), which tracks S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index and has $8.16 billion in assets with an expense ratio of 0.35%.