Should You Invest in the First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology ETF (FBT)?
Overview of First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology ETF (FBT): FBT is a passively managed ETF focused on the Healthcare - Biotech sector, with over $1.19 billion in assets and an annual operating expense of 0.56%. It aims to match the performance of the NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index, which includes companies involved in biological processes for product development.
Performance and Investment Considerations: The ETF has shown a return of approximately 18.99% over the past year and holds a Zacks ETF Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating strong potential for investors seeking exposure to the biotech market. It features concentrated holdings, with top assets including Beigene, Exact Sciences, and Catalyst Pharmaceuticals.
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Analyst Views on FBT
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Exploring the Recent Surge in Biotech ETFs
Biotech ETF Performance: The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) has surged 35% over the past six months, significantly outperforming the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY), which rose 12% in the same period. Year-to-date, IBB has increased by 23.6% compared to SPY's 11.6% gain.
Market Valuation and Growth: Despite the recent rally, biotech stocks are trading below the broader market, with the MSCI USA Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology and Life Sciences Index showing a forward P/E of 15.92X compared to the S&P 500's 23.25X. The projected EPS growth for the Biomedical and Genetics sector is notably higher at 22.38%.
Regulatory Approvals and Investments: In 2025, the FDA approved numerous biotechnology drugs, contributing to a total of 38 approvals so far. Biopharma venture investments reached $5.8 billion in Q3 2025, with significant licensing deals supporting the sector.
Market Sentiment and Future Outlook: Recent deals by major companies like Pfizer and AstraZeneca to lower drug prices and avoid tariffs signal relief for the pharmaceutical industry amid ongoing uncertainties. The biotech sector is expected to perform well in a falling interest rate environment, aided by recent Federal Reserve rate cuts.
Two ETFs to Monitor for Increased Trading Activity in Biotechnology Stocks
Wall Street Performance: In the last trading session, Wall Street saw a decline, with SPY down 0.9%, DIA falling 1.2%, and QQQ decreasing by 0.9%.
Increased ETF Trading Volumes: Two specialized ETFs, PBE and FBT, experienced trading volumes significantly higher than their averages, indicating potential interest in these funds.
PBE ETF Details: The Invesco Biotechnology & Genome ETF (PBE) traded 20,471 shares, over four times its average volume, and saw a slight decrease of 0.3% in the last session, but gained 6.1% over the past month.
FBT ETF Details: The First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology ETF (FBT) had a trading volume of 89,466 shares, more than four times its average, with a minor increase of 0.2% in the last session and a 5.7% gain over the past month.
ETF Movers on Wednesday: FBT and BIZD
VanEck BDC Income ETF Performance: The VanEck BDC Income ETF is underperforming, down approximately 3.9% in Wednesday afternoon trading.
Weakest Components: Key contributors to the ETF's decline include Sixth Street Specialty Lending, which fell by about 2.2%, and Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Fund, down by about 1.7%.
FBT Crosses Above Key Moving Average Level
FBT Stock Performance: FBT's stock has a 52-week low of $141.375 and a high of $183.595, with the last trade recorded at $169.30.
Market Insights: The article mentions other ETFs that have recently crossed above their 200-day moving average, indicating potential market trends.
Monday's ETF Movers: FBT, XBI
Biotech ETF Performance: The SPDR S&P Biotech ETF is down approximately 4.4% in afternoon trading, with significant declines in individual stocks such as Vaxcyte (down 50.5%) and Capricor Therapeutics (down 18.3%).
Market Commentary: The opinions expressed in the article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Nasdaq, Inc.
How The Pieces Add Up: FBT Targets $219
ETF Analysis: The First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund ETF (FBT) has an implied analyst target price of $218.78, indicating a potential upside of 29.27% from its current trading price of $169.25.
Stock Performance Insights: Key holdings such as Genmab A/S, Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc, and BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc show significant upside potential based on analyst targets, raising questions about the validity of these projections amidst market developments.
Exploring the Recent Surge in Biotech ETFs
Biotech ETF Performance: The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) has surged 35% over the past six months, significantly outperforming the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY), which rose 12% in the same period. Year-to-date, IBB has increased by 23.6% compared to SPY's 11.6% gain.
Market Valuation and Growth: Despite the recent rally, biotech stocks are trading below the broader market, with the MSCI USA Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology and Life Sciences Index showing a forward P/E of 15.92X compared to the S&P 500's 23.25X. The projected EPS growth for the Biomedical and Genetics sector is notably higher at 22.38%.
Regulatory Approvals and Investments: In 2025, the FDA approved numerous biotechnology drugs, contributing to a total of 38 approvals so far. Biopharma venture investments reached $5.8 billion in Q3 2025, with significant licensing deals supporting the sector.
Market Sentiment and Future Outlook: Recent deals by major companies like Pfizer and AstraZeneca to lower drug prices and avoid tariffs signal relief for the pharmaceutical industry amid ongoing uncertainties. The biotech sector is expected to perform well in a falling interest rate environment, aided by recent Federal Reserve rate cuts.
Two ETFs to Monitor for Increased Trading Activity in Biotechnology Stocks
Wall Street Performance: In the last trading session, Wall Street saw a decline, with SPY down 0.9%, DIA falling 1.2%, and QQQ decreasing by 0.9%.
Increased ETF Trading Volumes: Two specialized ETFs, PBE and FBT, experienced trading volumes significantly higher than their averages, indicating potential interest in these funds.
PBE ETF Details: The Invesco Biotechnology & Genome ETF (PBE) traded 20,471 shares, over four times its average volume, and saw a slight decrease of 0.3% in the last session, but gained 6.1% over the past month.
FBT ETF Details: The First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology ETF (FBT) had a trading volume of 89,466 shares, more than four times its average, with a minor increase of 0.2% in the last session and a 5.7% gain over the past month.
ETF Movers on Wednesday: FBT and BIZD
VanEck BDC Income ETF Performance: The VanEck BDC Income ETF is underperforming, down approximately 3.9% in Wednesday afternoon trading.
Weakest Components: Key contributors to the ETF's decline include Sixth Street Specialty Lending, which fell by about 2.2%, and Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Fund, down by about 1.7%.
FBT Crosses Above Key Moving Average Level
FBT Stock Performance: FBT's stock has a 52-week low of $141.375 and a high of $183.595, with the last trade recorded at $169.30.
Market Insights: The article mentions other ETFs that have recently crossed above their 200-day moving average, indicating potential market trends.
Monday's ETF Movers: FBT, XBI
Biotech ETF Performance: The SPDR S&P Biotech ETF is down approximately 4.4% in afternoon trading, with significant declines in individual stocks such as Vaxcyte (down 50.5%) and Capricor Therapeutics (down 18.3%).
Market Commentary: The opinions expressed in the article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Nasdaq, Inc.
How The Pieces Add Up: FBT Targets $219
ETF Analysis: The First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund ETF (FBT) has an implied analyst target price of $218.78, indicating a potential upside of 29.27% from its current trading price of $169.25.
Stock Performance Insights: Key holdings such as Genmab A/S, Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc, and BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc show significant upside potential based on analyst targets, raising questions about the validity of these projections amidst market developments.
