list of etfs focusing on the us health care sector
Comprehensive directory of the top-performing list of etfs focusing on the us health care sector, featuring core market leaders like XLV and VHT as of April 2026.
Navigating the list of etfs focusing on the us health care sector is a key strategy for investors seeking defensive growth and exposure to massive pharma innovations like GLP-1 treatments. The healthcare sector remains a pillar of the U.S. economy, with core funds like the XLV Profile providing stable large-cap exposure. Whether you are targeting high-growth Biotech ETFs or broader market coverage through the VHT Profile, understanding expense ratios and top holdings like Eli Lilly is essential. In 2026, the sector continues to offer a unique blend of capital appreciation and consistent dividend yields. This directory helps you compare cost-efficient options and specialized subsector specialists for a well-rounded portfolio.
Key Takeaways
Core funds like XLV and VHT represent the majority of AUM in the sector, offering low expense ratios of 0.08% to 0.09% for diversified exposure.
Major holdings like Eli Lilly (LLY) now represent nearly 15% of broad healthcare indexes, driving performance through pharmaceutical breakthroughs.
Investors can target specific niches using IHI Medical Devices or provider-focused funds for more granular sector control.
Despite market volatility, the IYH Profile and others remain a favorite for defensive rotation due to inelastic demand for healthcare services.
Top list of etfs focusing on the us health care sector by Market Cap (2026)
Current market data for April 2026 shows XLV maintaining its lead in liquidity and assets, while subsector funds offer varied performance profiles.
| Rank | Ticker | Fund Name | Focus | AUM ($B) | YTD % | Exp. Ratio | Div Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | XLV | Health Care Select Sector SPDR | Broad S&P 500 | $41.9B | -5.8% | 0.08% | 1.50% |
| 2 | VHT | Vanguard Health Care ETF | Full Market EM | $17.3B | -5.5% | 0.09% | 1.43% |
| 3 | IYH | iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF | Broad U.S. | $3.0B | -5.7% | 0.40% | 1.17% |
| 4 | IHI | iShares U.S. Medical Devices ETF | Medical Devices | $5.8B | +1.2% | 0.40% | 0.55% |
| 5 | XBI | SPDR S&P Biotech ETF | Biotech (Equal) | $6.2B | +3.4% | 0.35% | 0.20% |
| 6 | IBB | iShares Biotechnology ETF | Biotech (Cap) | $7.1B | +2.1% | 0.45% | 0.32% |
| 7 | IHF | iShares U.S. Healthcare Providers | Service Providers | $0.9B | -4.2% | 0.40% | 0.78% |
| 8 | PTH | Invesco Health Care Momentum | Momentum | $0.3B | +2.2% | 0.60% | 0.15% |
| 9 | PSCH | Invesco S&P SmallCap Healthcare | Small-Cap | $0.4B | -8.1% | 0.29% | 0.00% |
| 10 | PJP | Invesco Dynamic Pharmaceuticals | Pharma | $0.3B | -3.1% | 0.58% | 1.25% |
list of etfs focusing on the us health care sector — Complete Company List
List of Healthcare ETFs Listed on U.S. Exchanges
- Amgen Inc. (AMGN)
- Biogen Inc. (BIIB)
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMY)
- Celgene Corporation (CELG)
- Gilead Sciences, Inc. (GILD)
- Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)
- Merck & Company, Inc. (MRK)
- Pfizer, Inc. (PFE)
Health Care Sector ETFs
- Fidelity MSCI Health Care Index ETF (FHLC)
- First Trust Health Care AlphaDEX ETF (FXH)
- Guggenheim S&P 500 Equal Weight Health Care ETF (RYH) (Holdings are equally weighed)
- Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV)
- iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF (IYH)
- John Hancock Multifactor Healthcare ETF (JHMH)
- PowerShares DWA Healthcare Momentum Portfolio (PTH) (Companies demonstrating relative strength)
- Principal Healthcare Innovators Index ETF (BTEC)
- Vanguard Health Care Index Fund (VHT)
Health Care ETFs: Cancer
Health Care ETFs: Long-Term Care
Health Care ETFs: Medical Devices, Equipment and Technology
- iShares U.S. Medical Devices ETF (IHI)
- SPDR S&P Health Care Equipment ETF (XHE)
- PureFunds ETFx HealthTech ETF (IMED)
Health Care ETFs: Obesity
Health Care ETFs: Small-Cap Companies
Health Care ETFs: Services
Health Care ETFs: Leveraged
- ProShares Ultra Health Care (RXL) (Daily Target 2x)
Health Care ETFs: Short
Risks & Considerations
GLP-1 and Pharma Concentration
High weights in companies like Eli Lilly mean broad healthcare ETFs are increasingly tied to the success of specific drug pipelines, creating significant single-stock risk.
Regulatory and Legislative Shifts
Healthcare remains highly sensitive to government policy, including drug price negotiations and healthcare reform, which can impact insurer and provider profitability.
Biotech Volatility
While offering high growth potential, biotech subsectors are prone to extreme price swings based on clinical trial results and FDA approval cycles.
Interest Rate Sensitivity
Medical device and biotech firms often rely on debt for R&D; sustained high interest rates can pressure margins and slow innovation cycles across the sector.