First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund (FBT) Performance
FBT total return
Distributions reinvested · as of Oct 23, 2026- YTD
- +30.4% since Dec 31, 2025
- 1 year
- +42.2% total return
- 5 years
- +10.9% a year
- 10 years
- +11.8% a year
- Since first price
- +13.8% a year since 2006
FBT trailing returns vs SPY, QQQ, AGG
| Period | FBT total return | Price only | S&P 500 (SPY) | Nasdaq-100 (QQQ) | U.S. bonds (AGG) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | +0.0% | +0.0% | −1.0% | −5.0% | +0.9% |
| 3 months | +8.2% | +8.2% | +3.2% | +1.9% | −0.4% |
| 6 months | +31.9% | +31.9% | +7.8% | +8.4% | −1.5% |
| YTD | +30.4% | +30.4% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 1 year | +42.2% | +42.2% | +14.4% | +15.9% | −1.1% |
| 3 years | +97.8%+25.5%/yr | +96.4% | +87.4%+23.3%/yr | +101.4%+26.3%/yr | +16.6%+5.2%/yr |
| 5 years | +67.5%+10.9%/yr | +64.1% | +79.3%+12.4%/yr | +94.0%+14.2%/yr | −0.8%−0.2%/yr |
| 10 years | +203.9%+11.8%/yr | +197.8% | +315.9%+15.3%/yr | +538.9%+20.4%/yr | +14.0%+1.3%/yr |
| 15 years | +694.2%+14.8%/yr | +676.8% | +696.0%+14.8%/yr | +1,299.3%+19.2%/yr | +32.2%+1.9%/yr |
| 20 years | +1,104.6%+13.3%/yr | +1,064.6% | +696.9%+10.9%/yr | +1,839.9%+16.0%/yr | +79.6%+3.0%/yr |
| Since inceptionJun 23, 2006 | +1,296.7%+13.8%/yr | +1,250.3% | — | — | — |
Total return from adjusted closes (distributions reinvested, before tax). Periods of 3 years or more are also shown annualized. Price only excludes distributions.
Growth of $10,000: FBT vs SPY
From Jun 23, 2006: FBT grew to $139,674, SPY to $88,418.
Year-end values with distributions reinvested, no taxes or trading costs. Start: first common trading day of both funds.
FBT returns by calendar year
13 of 19 full years positive. Best 2013 (+50.6%), worst 2016 (−19.6%). 2026 is year to date.
FBT annual returns table
| Year | FBT | Largest drop | SPY | QQQ | AGG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026YTD | +30.4% | −14.3% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 2025 | +24.3% | −20.0% | +17.7% | +20.8% | +7.2% |
| 2024 | +5.9% | −11.8% | +24.9% | +25.6% | +1.3% |
| 2023 | +2.5% | −19.9% | +26.2% | +54.9% | +5.7% |
| 2022 | −4.8% | −24.4% | −18.2% | −32.6% | −13.0% |
| 2021 | −2.3% | −17.2% | +28.7% | +27.4% | −1.8% |
| 2020 | +13.0% | −26.6% | +18.3% | +48.6% | +7.5% |
| 2019 | +19.7% | −22.2% | +31.2% | +39.0% | +8.5% |
| 2018 | −0.3% | −28.1% | −4.6% | −0.1% | +0.1% |
| 2017 | +37.1% | −7.2% | +21.7% | +32.7% | +3.6% |
| 2016 | −19.6% | −28.9% | +12.0% | +7.1% | +2.4% |
| 2015 | +10.9% | −25.5% | +1.2% | +9.4% | +0.5% |
| 2014 | +47.5% | −19.7% | +13.5% | +19.2% | +6.0% |
| 2013 | +50.6% | −10.3% | +32.3% | +36.6% | −2.0% |
| 2012 | +40.7% | −13.0% | +16.0% | +18.1% | +3.8% |
| 2011 | −16.5% | −34.0% | +1.9% | +3.4% | +7.7% |
| 2010 | +36.9% | −20.9% | +15.1% | +19.9% | +6.4% |
| 2009 | +45.0% | −24.1% | +26.4% | +54.7% | +3.0% |
| 2008 | −18.3% | −39.8% | −36.8% | −41.7% | +7.9% |
| 2007 | +3.5% | −11.1% | +5.1% | +19.0% | +6.6% |
Largest drop = deepest fall from a high within that calendar year.
Calendar-year return vs largest drop within the year
Most years include a sizable fall at some point even when the year ends higher.
FBT largest drawdowns
Now 1.7% below the high| Peak | Decline | Bottom | Recovered | Fall | Underwater |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 17, 2015 | −40.5% | Feb 11, 2016 | Jan 12, 2018 | 7 months | 2.5 years |
| Aug 14, 2008 | −39.8% | Nov 21, 2008 | Aug 4, 2009 | 3 months | 12 months |
| Apr 28, 2011 | −34.0% | Nov 25, 2011 | Jul 18, 2012 | 7 months | 1.2 years |
| Feb 8, 2021 | −32.4% | Jun 14, 2022 | Jan 30, 2025 | 1.3 years | 4.0 years |
| Sep 27, 2018 | −28.1% | Dec 24, 2018 | May 11, 2020 | 3 months | 1.6 years |
| Oct 15, 2007 | −22.0% | Mar 17, 2008 | Jul 31, 2008 | 5 months | 10 months |
Declines from a closing high (distributions reinvested) of 10% or more. Underwater = time from the peak until the old high was regained.
FBT risk statistics
| Statistic | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | Since 2006 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annualized return | +23.3% | +10.8% | +10.8% | +13.7% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.6% | 17.9% | 20.3% | 22.9% |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.99 | 0.47 | 0.49 | 0.62 |
| Sortino ratio | 1.90 | 0.78 | 0.81 | 1.03 |
| Best month | +11.9% | +11.9% | +15.8% | +24.8% |
| Worst month | −9.1% | −9.1% | −15.6% | −24.1% |
| Best 12 months | +55.3% | +55.3% | +55.3% | +90.0% |
| Worst 12 months | −1.2% | −19.4% | −21.9% | −28.5% |
| Positive months | 64% | 55% | 55% | 58% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | 0.67 | 0.66 | 0.80 | — |
| Correlation with S&P 500 | 0.45 | 0.58 | 0.61 | — |
From monthly total returns. Sharpe and Sortino use 1–3 month T-bills (BIL) as the risk-free rate, so they need history from 2007 on.
FBT rolling returns
| Holding period | Periods | Worst | Median | Best | Positive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year | 233 | −28.5% | +13.0% | +90.0% | 72% |
| 3-year (a year) | 209 | −4.8% | +10.9% | +46.8% | 91% |
| 5-year (a year) | 185 | −1.3% | +12.4% | +35.6% | 98% |
| 10-year (a year) | 125 | +2.9% | +14.6% | +23.5% | 100% |
Every holding period starting at a month-end since 2006. Returns for 3 years and longer are annualized.
FBT performance overview
First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund (FBT) returned +42.2% over the past year and +11.8% a year over ten years, with distributions reinvested. Since its first recorded price in 2006 it has returned +13.8% a year, turning $10,000 into about $139,674. Over the same year S&P 500 (SPY) returned +14.4%.
The deepest decline was −40.5%, from Jul 17, 2015 to Feb 11, 2016, and it took 1.9 years to get back to the old high. FBT finished 13 of its 19 full calendar years with a gain; the best year was 2013 (+50.6%) and the worst 2016 (−19.6%). Volatility has been 22.9% a year.
Related: FBT chart, FBT holdings, FBT valuation. See the FBT overview for the latest quote and fund facts.
FBT performance FAQ
What is the FBT return over the past year?
FBT returned +42.2% over the 12 months to October 23, 2026, including reinvested distributions. On price alone it rose 42.2%.
What is the average annual return of FBT?
FBT has returned +10.9% a year over 5 years, +11.8% a year over 10 years, +13.8% a year since June 23, 2006 (total return, distributions reinvested).
How much would $10,000 invested in FBT be worth?
$10,000 invested in FBT at its first recorded close on June 23, 2006 would be worth about $139,674 on October 23, 2026 with distributions reinvested.
What was the worst year for FBT?
The worst calendar year was 2016, with a total return of −19.6%. The best was 2013 at +50.6%.
What is the biggest drawdown of FBT?
The largest peak-to-trough decline was −40.5% between July 17, 2015 and February 11, 2016. It recovered to the old high on January 12, 2018, 1.9 years after the bottom.
How volatile is FBT?
Over the past 3 years FBT had an annualized volatility of 18.6% and a Sharpe ratio of 0.99 (excess return over 1–3 month T-bills per unit of risk).