State Street vs. First Trust: Is a Broad Healthcare or Biotech Focus Better for Your Portfolio?

State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF offers a significantly lower expense ratio of 0.08% compared to the 0.55% charged by First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund. First Trust's fund focuses exclusively on 30 biotechnology companies, while the SPDR ETF holds 60 stocks across the broader healthcare sector.

The Motley Fool • Jul 29, 2026

FBT and IBB Are Not the Same Biotech Bet, and 5 Years of Returns Prove It

Biotech investors picking between the First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund (NYSEARCA:FBT) and the iShares Biotechnology ETF (NASDAQ:IBB) often treat them as interchangeable proxies for the same sector.

24/7 Wall Street • Jul 27, 2026

Which Is the Better Healthcare ETF, First Trust's Biotech-Focused FBT or State Street's Broader XLV?

The State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF is significantly more affordable and larger than the First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund, with an expense ratio of 0.08% compared to 0.55%. The First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund focuses exclusively on biotechnology while the State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF provides broad exposure across the entire S&P 500 healthcare sector.

The Motley Fool • Jul 21, 2026

Which Healthcare ETF Is the Better Buy: iShares' Global IXJ or First Trust's Biotech FBT?

iShares Global Healthcare ETF provides broad exposure to 110 global stocks while First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund concentrates on 30 biotech positions. iShares Global Healthcare ETF carries a lower expense ratio of 0.40% compared to 0.55% for First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund.

The Motley Fool • Jul 21, 2026

Biotech ETFs: How Do FBT and IBB Match Up on Cost, Structure, and Performance?

First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund offers a more concentrated portfolio with only 30 holdings compared to the 248 positions in iShares Biotechnology ETF iShares Biotechnology ETF is the larger and more established fund, having launched in 2001 and managing $9.6 billion in assets under management First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund has achieved a higher total return over both one-year and five-year horizons

The Motley Fool • Jul 12, 2026

Is First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology ETF (FBT) a Strong ETF Right Now?

A smart beta exchange traded fund, the First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology ETF (FBT) debuted on 06/19/2006, and offers broad exposure to the Health Care ETFs category of the market.

Zacks Investment Research • Jul 10, 2026

Invesco Pharmaceuticals ETF or First Trust Biotech Fund: Which Drug Maker-Focused Fund Should You Buy in 2026?

Invesco Pharmaceuticals ETF has a higher 5-year growth total of $1,563 compared to $1,480 for First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund is more affordable with a 0.55% expense ratio while Invesco Pharmaceuticals ETF charges 0.57% Invesco Pharmaceuticals ETF experienced a lower 5-year maximum drawdown of 17.50% compared to 29.90% for the First Trust fund

The Motley Fool • Jul 8, 2026

Should You Invest in the First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology ETF (FBT)?

Launched on June 19, 2006, the First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology ETF (FBT) is a passively managed exchange traded fund designed to provide a broad exposure to the Healthcare - Biotech segment of the equity market.

Zacks Investment Research • Jul 2, 2026

Medical Technology Stocks: Innovation Endures As Valuations Reset

Investors are questioning the staying power of medical technology (medtech) stocks, which have fallen from grace since the COVID-19 pandemic. The starting point is to distinguish between medtech and other healthcare industries.

Seeking Alpha • May 2, 2026

Global PMI: Tracking The Sectors Hit Hardest By The Middle East War

Survey data underscored how the war in the Middle East has already had a material impact on economic growth around the world. Drilling down deeper, the data showed weaker growth trends were recorded across all major industries globally.

Seeking Alpha • Apr 12, 2026