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First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund (FBT)



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Upturn Advisory Summary
09/15/2025: FBT (1-star) has a low Upturn Star Rating. Not recommended to BUY.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type ETF | Historic Profit 3.72% | Avg. Invested days 55 | Today’s Advisory Consider higher Upturn Star rating |
Upturn Star Rating ![]() ![]() | Upturn Advisory Performance ![]() | ETF Returns Performance ![]() |
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Key Highlights
Volume (30-day avg) - | Beta 0.73 | 52 Weeks Range 141.38 - 183.60 | Updated Date 06/29/2025 |
52 Weeks Range 141.38 - 183.60 | Updated Date 06/29/2025 |
Upturn AI SWOT
First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund
ETF Overview
Overview
The First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund (FBT) seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield of the NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index, a modified market capitalization-weighted index composed of companies in the biotechnology industry. It provides exposure to a focused segment of the healthcare sector.
Reputation and Reliability
First Trust is a well-established ETF issuer known for its diverse range of thematic ETFs and smart beta strategies.
Management Expertise
First Trust has a dedicated team of investment professionals with experience in managing and researching sector-specific ETFs.
Investment Objective
Goal
To replicate the price and yield performance of the NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index.
Investment Approach and Strategy
Strategy: The ETF employs a passive management strategy, tracking the NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index.
Composition Primarily composed of stocks of biotechnology companies listed on major US exchanges.
Market Position
Market Share: FBT's market share in the biotechnology ETF sector is moderate, relative to its larger competitors.
Total Net Assets (AUM): 2320000000
Competitors
Key Competitors
- IBB
- XBI
- BBH
Competitive Landscape
The biotechnology ETF market is competitive, with IBB and XBI holding the largest market share. FBT differentiates itself through its modified market capitalization-weighted index which provides a more balanced approach compared to the traditional market-cap weighting. It may appeal to investors seeking a different weighting scheme than other competitors. However, IBB and XBI offer greater liquidity.
Financial Performance
Historical Performance: Historical performance data is not static and requires real-time data feeds, but past performance is not indicative of future returns.
Benchmark Comparison: The ETF's performance should be closely compared to the NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index to assess tracking efficiency.
Expense Ratio: 0.0565
Liquidity
Average Trading Volume
The ETF exhibits moderate liquidity, reflecting its assets under management and investor interest.
Bid-Ask Spread
The bid-ask spread is generally tight, indicating relatively efficient trading and lower transaction costs.
Market Dynamics
Market Environment Factors
Regulatory changes, clinical trial results, and overall market sentiment towards the healthcare sector, especially biotechnology, significantly influence the ETF.
Growth Trajectory
Growth patterns are tied to innovation in the biotechnology sector, including new drug approvals and advancements in genetic engineering, with changes made to constituent holdings based on the index methodology.
Moat and Competitive Advantages
Competitive Edge
FBT's competitive advantage lies in its modified market capitalization weighting strategy, which can provide a more balanced representation of the biotechnology sector compared to traditional market-cap weighted indexes. It avoids being overly concentrated in the largest companies. This may appeal to investors who want to reduce single-stock risk within the biotech space. The fund's expense ratio is competitive, but its trading volume is lower than its competitors, posing a liquidity disadvantage.
Risk Analysis
Volatility
The fund's volatility is expected to be high due to the inherent nature of biotechnology stocks.
Market Risk
The ETF is susceptible to market risk, specifically risks associated with the biotechnology sector, including regulatory hurdles, clinical trial failures, and patent expirations.
Investor Profile
Ideal Investor Profile
The ideal investor is someone with a high risk tolerance and a long-term investment horizon, seeking exposure to the growth potential of the biotechnology sector.
Market Risk
The ETF is suitable for long-term investors seeking sector-specific growth, but less appropriate for risk-averse investors or those seeking stable income.
Summary
The First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund (FBT) provides exposure to the biotechnology sector through a modified market capitalization-weighted index. Its competitive edge lies in its weighting strategy that offers a more balanced allocation across biotechnology companies. While the ETF exhibits higher volatility due to the nature of its holdings, it offers opportunities for growth potential. Investors should consider their risk tolerance and investment horizon before investing in FBT, noting the potential for significant fluctuations in value.
Peer Comparison
Sources and Disclaimers
Data Sources:
- First Trust Website
- ETF.com
- Bloomberg
- Morningstar
Disclaimers:
The information provided is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investors should conduct their own research and consult with a financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.
Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.
Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.
AI-generated summaries may have inaccuracies (hallucinations). Please verify the information before taking action.
About First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund
Exchange NYSE ARCA | Headquaters - | ||
IPO Launch date - | CEO - | ||
Sector - | Industry - | Full time employees - | Website |
Full time employees - | Website |
The fund will normally invest at least 90% of its net assets (including investment borrowings) in the securities that comprise the index. The index is an equal-dollar weighted index designed to measure the performance of 30 leading biotechnology companies.

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