HLTH vs IXJ vs CURE vs DRUG - Compare ETFs side by side

At a glance

Comparing HLTH, IXJ, CURE, and DRUG. IXJ has the lowest management fee at 0.4% a year, IXJ has the highest 5 years return at 5.3% a year, and DRUG offers the highest at 4%.

Lowest fee

IXJ 0.4% p.a.

Highest 5 years return

IXJ 5.3% p.a.

Highest yield

DRUG 4%

Highest risk-adjusted

IXJ Sharpe 0.22 (5y)

Lowest volatility

IXJ 12.4% (5y)

Largest fund

IXJ $1.4bn

Side-by-side comparison

Metric	HLTH VanEck Global Healthcare Leaders ETF	IXJ iShares Global Healthcare ETF	CURE Global X S&P Biotech ETF	DRUG BetaShares Global Healthcare ETF - Currency Hedged
Snapshot
Provider	VanEck	iShares	Global X	BetaShares
Tracks index	—	S&P Global 1200 Health Care Sector Index	S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index	Nasdaq Global ex-Australia Healthcare Hedged AUD Index
Categories	Intl, Thematic	Intl, Thematic, Market-Cap	US, Thematic	Intl, Thematic
Listed since	—	2007 (19 yrs)	2021 (5 yrs)	—
Fund size (AUM)	$52m	$1.4bn	$46m	$172m
Cost & income
Management fee	0.45%	0.4%	0.45%	0.57%
Dividend yield	0.34%	1.61%	0%	4%
Franking	0%	0%	0%	0%
Turnover	—	5%	35%	—
Tax drag	0.11%	0.64%	0.84%	1.28%
Returns	Tax bracket - adjusts tax drag & net returns
1-year return	4.9% net	12.1% net	57.4% net	20.8% net
3-year return	4.7% net	5.1% net	18.5% net	5.7% net
5-year return	-0.3% net	5.3% net	4.3% net	4.2% net
10-year return	—	8.9% net	—	—
Risk
Volatility (3y)	12.6%	12.9%	25.5%	12.6%
Volatility (5y)	13.6%	12.4%	24.9%	13.2%
Volatility (10y)	—	11.6%	—	—
Sharpe ratio (3y)	0.1	0.14	0.63	0.18
Sharpe ratio (5y)	—	0.22	0.16	0.13
Sharpe ratio (10y)	—	0.6	—	—
Bid/ask spread	—	—	—	—

marks the strongest fund in each row. “net” shows the after-tax return at your selected bracket. “—” means we don’t have that data point yet.

Each fund at a glance

HLTH VanEck Global Healthcare Leaders ETF

Has lagged most peers over 5 years (166th of 188).

Full HLTH analysis →

IXJ iShares Global Healthcare ETF

Low-cost: a 0.4% management fee keeps more of the return in your pocket.

Has lagged most peers over 3 years (174th of 226).

Full IXJ analysis →

CURE Global X S&P Biotech ETF

Top-2% returns over 1 year (7th of 308 ETFs we track).

Cheaper alternatives exist: IXJ and IXI.

Full CURE analysis →

DRUG BetaShares Global Healthcare ETF - Currency Hedged

Top-14% returns over 1 year (43rd of 308 ETFs we track).
Pays a useful 4% income yield.

Has lagged most peers over 3 years (169th of 226).

Full DRUG analysis →

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between HLTH vs IXJ vs CURE vs DRUG?

HLTH, IXJ, CURE, and DRUG are 4 Australian-listed ETFs we compare side by side. IXJ carries the lowest management fee (0.4%). Over 5 years, IXJ has delivered the highest total return (5.3% a year). The table above breaks down fees, returns, income and risk for each.

Which has the lowest fees - HLTH vs IXJ vs CURE vs DRUG?

IXJ has the lowest management fee at 0.4% a year, versus HLTH 0.45%, CURE 0.45%, and DRUG 0.57%.

Which has performed highest - HLTH vs IXJ vs CURE vs DRUG?

Over the past 5 years, IXJ has delivered the highest total return at 5.3% a year. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.

Which pays the highest dividend yield?

DRUG pays the highest at 4%. Remember distributions are taxed each year at your marginal rate.

Which is the largest and most liquid?

IXJ is the largest fund by assets ($1.4bn). Larger funds are typically more liquid and trade on tighter spreads.

Related comparisons

IXJ vs IXI IXJ vs IOO CURE vs IXI

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General information only, generated from each fund's published data — not personal financial advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns. Consider your own circumstances or seek licensed advice before investing.