PBPH vs SPY

Quick Verdict

SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY offers more diversification with 503 holdings.

Lower Fees: SPYHigher Returns: TiedMore Diversified: SPY

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPBPHSPYWinner
Expense Ratio0.13%0.09%
AUM$963M$789.1B
Dividend Yield0.08%1.01%
Holdings56505
YTD Return+11.19%+13.75%
1Y Return-+22.91%
3Y Return (annualized)-+21.67%
5Y Return (annualized)-+13.32%
Volatility (annualized)-15.3%
Max Drawdown-11.1%-56.5%
Fund FamilyPortfolio Building Block ETFsState Street Investment Management
CategoryEquityEquity
InceptionNov 24, 2025Jan 22, 1993

PBPH vs SPY Performance

Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF (PBPH) is a ETF from Portfolio Building Block ETFs and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management. Year to date, PBPH is up 11.19% versus a gain of 13.75% for SPY.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -11.1% for PBPH and -56.5% for SPY. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.

Fees and Cost Over Time

PBPH charges 0.13% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $13 vs $9 annually, a gap of $4 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PBPH currently yields 0.08% against 1.01% for SPY.

Holdings Overlap

5.0%overlap

PBPH and SPY share 15 holdings out of 540 unique holdings combined, representing a 5.0% weight overlap.

Moderate overlap means holding both could provide meaningful diversification benefits.

Top Shared Holdings

StockWeight in PBPHWeight in SPYDifference
LLY14.08%1.46%12.62%
JNJ9.04%0.96%8.08%
ABBV6.14%0.69%5.45%
MRKProProPro
GILDProProPro
AMGNProProPro
PFEProProPro
BMYProProPro
VRTXProProPro
REGNProProPro
FundXLS Pro
See all 10 holdings PBPH shares with SPY
Exact weights in each fund and the difference, for every overlapping position.
X-ray my whole portfolio$45/quarter Pro · Cancel anytime

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, PBPH or SPY?

PBPH has an expense ratio of 0.13% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $4 per year of difference.

What is the holdings overlap between PBPH and SPY?

PBPH and SPY share 15 common holdings with a 5.0% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 540 unique securities.

Which pays a higher dividend, PBPH or SPY?

PBPH yields 0.08% while SPY yields 1.01%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Get Full ETF Analytics

Access complete holdings data, overlap analysis, screener tools, and more with FundXLS.