Vanguard Health Care ETF

VHT

Valor de mercado US$ 19,8 bi

With the US population aging rapidly, three healthcare ETFs offer exposure to companies developing treatments, drugs and medical devices for age-related conditions.

Healthcare stocks have finally stepped back into the spotlight. After spending much of the past several years in the shadow of technology and AI, the sector has quietly emerged as one of the year's more compelling comeback stories.

The Vanguard Health Care ETF offers a broad healthcare focus with a significantly lower expense ratio of 0.09% compared to its peer. The iShares Biotechnology ETF saw a higher 1-year total return but has experienced a much deeper maximum drawdown over the last five years.

VHT is a diversified play on the non-cyclical healthcare sector. BND will benefit from interest rate cuts in a recession.

VHT offers significantly lower ownership costs, with a 0.09% expense ratio compared to XBI's 0.35%. XBI provides targeted focus on biotechnology, while VHT offers exposure to the entire healthcare sector.

Oncology spending is projected to reach $441 billion by 2029, but market growth is expected to slow as established therapies face generic and biosimilar competition. Several oncology blockbusters are also approaching loss of exclusivity, including Pfizer's Ibrance in 2027–2028 and Bristol Myers Squibb's Opdivo in 2028–2030. Overall, the oncology rally has been broad, but I believe several underappreciated companies still offer meaningful upside.

To brace against market pullbacks, add some defensive stocks or funds to your mix. Defensive industries include healthcare, utilities, and consumer staples.

The Vanguard Health Care ETF offers a significantly lower expense ratio and a higher dividend yield than the State Street SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF. The State Street SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF provides concentrated exposure to drug manufacturers, while the Vanguard Health Care ETF covers a broader range of medical services and equipment.

Pharmaceuticals are rebounding as U.S. drug pricing clarity emerges, shifting focus to patent expirations and innovation-driven differentiation. Companies like JNJ and AZN, with diversified portfolios and strong R&D pipelines, are better positioned to offset looming patent cliffs.

Vanguard Health Care ETF provides broad, low-cost exposure to over 400 stocks with a significantly lower expense ratio than Simplify Health Care ETF. Simplify Health Care ETF is an actively managed, pro bono fund that has delivered higher 1-year total returns despite a higher expense ratio.