VHTvsFTXHETF Comparison
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Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) and First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (FTXH) belong to the same industry segment: US Health Care. Both ETFs have the same top 3 sector exposures: and Health Care. VHT is less expensive with a Total Expense Ratio (TER) of 0.09%, versus 0.6% for FTXH. VHT is down -5.86% year-to-date (YTD) with -$233M in YTD flows. FTXH performs better with 3.34% YTD performance, and +$9M in YTD flows. Run a side-by-side ETF comparison of VHT and FTXH below, and assess how they stack up in performance, liquidity, risk, exposure, holdings, and more, helping you select the best ETF for your investments.
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VHT vs FTXH performance and flow charts
Performance
Cumulative Flows
Historic performance and flows
Data as of 04/24/2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | VHT FTXH | +0.60%+2.97% | -7.81%+0.94% | -5.86%+3.34% | +9.62%+39.92% | +13.72%+32.02% | +19.95%+39.07% |
| Flows | VHT FTXH | -$54M+$2M | -$235M+$7M | -$233M+$9M | -$503M+$11M | -$2.71B-$7M | -$343M+$3M |
Volatility and drawdown
| 3M | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volatility | VHT FTXH | +15.25%+17.49% | +15.54%+18.15% | +13.78%+16.09% | +15.08%+15.79% |
| Max drawdown | VHT FTXH | -9.89%-7.50% | -10.39%-7.50% | -16.88%-19.32% | -17.77%-19.32% |
| Max drawdown duration | VHT FTXH | 54d53d | 107d53d | 435d393d | 767d393d |
Trading data
VHT | FTXH | |
Last sale 4/24/2026 at 1:30 PM | $269.89 | $33.64 |
| Previous close 04/23/2026 | $273.01 | $34.01 |
| Consolidated volume 04/23/2026 | ||
| Average volume 30 days | ||
| Average discount or premium 30 days | ||
| Average Bid/Ask spread 30 days |
Replication quality
Data as of March 31, 2026
1-year trailing difference
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VHT | FTXH | |
|---|---|---|
| Tracking error | ||
| Tracking difference | ||
| 1 year cumulative return difference | ||
| Best | ||
| Worst | ||
| Daily return difference | ||
| Average | ||
| Worst | ||
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Main metrics
Last update 4/24/2026 at 1:30 PM
Live
Closed
VHT | FTXH | |
|---|---|---|
| Last price | $269.89 | $33.64 |
| 1D performance | -1.14% | -1.10% |
| AuM | $16.03 B | $30.57 M |
| E/R | 0.09% | 0.6% |
Characteristics
VHT | FTXH | |
|---|---|---|
| Management strategy | Passive | Passive |
| Provider | Vanguard | First Trust |
| Benchmark | MSCI US IMI Health Care 25/50 Index | NASDAQ US Smart Pharmaceuticals Index |
| N° of holdings | 347 | 50 |
| Asset class | Equities | Equities |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | Join | Join |
| Inception date | January 26, 2004 | September 20, 2016 |
| ESG | No | No |
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Exposure
Countries
VHT
USA
96.72%
Other
3.28%
FTXH
USA
96.17%
Other
3.83%
Sectors
VHT
Health Care
96.98%
Other
3.02%
FTXH
Health Care
99.23%
Other
0.77%
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Diversification
VHT
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
60.6%
FTXH
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
71%
Top 15 holdings
Data as of March 31, 2026
VHT
LILLY
11.89%
JOHNSON&JOHNSON
9.34%
ABBVIE
6.18%
MERCK & CO INC
4.80%
UNITEDHEALTH GRP
3.94%
AMGEN-T
3.05%
THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC
2.97%
ABBOTT LABS
2.87%
GILEAD SCIENCES
2.78%
INTUITIVE SURGICAL
2.63%
PFIZER
2.57%
BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB
1.99%
DANAHER
1.94%
VERTEX PHARMACEUTICALS
1.82%
STRYKER
1.82%
FTXH
BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB
7.45%
JOHNSON&JOHNSON
7.39%
MERCK & CO INC
7.34%
ABBVIE
6.97%
LILLY
6.83%
PFIZER
3.88%
REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS
3.74%
BIOGEN INC
3.60%
GILEAD SCIENCES
3.54%
CARDINAL HEALTH
3.48%
VIATRIS INC
3.43%
AMGEN-T
3.42%
VERTEX PHARMACEUTICALS
3.39%
ZOETIS INC
3.37%
UTD THERAPEUT
3.17%
Frequently asked questions about VHT and FTXH
How have the VHT and FTXH ETFs performed in 2026?
As of April 24, 2026, VHT is down -5.86% year-to-date (YTD), while FTXH has returned 3.34%. That puts FTXH better performer ahead so far this year.
Which ETF is attracting more investor money: VHT or FTXH?
Year-to-date, the VHT ETF saw -$233M in flows, compared to +$9M for FTXH.
Which ETF is more volatile: VHT or FTXH?
Over the past year, VHT had a volatility of 15.54%, while FTXH experienced 18.15%.
Which ETF is bigger: VHT or FTXH?
As of April 24, 2026, VHT holds $16.03 B in assets under management (AUM), while FTXH manages $30.57 M.
What sectors do the VHT and FTXH ETFs invest in?
VHT leans toward sectors like Health Care. Meanwhile, FTXH focuses on Health Care.
What are the top holdings of the VHT ETF and FTXH ETF?
VHT top holdings include LILLY, JOHNSON&JOHNSON and ABBVIE. FTXH holds in its top three: BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB, JOHNSON&JOHNSON and MERCK & CO INC.
Which ETF is more diversified: VHT or FTXH?
VHT holds 403 securities with 60.6% of its assets in the top 15. FTXH has 50 securities and a top 15 weight of 71%.
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