DRUGvsIXJ
Two global healthcare ETFs. Different indexes, different fee structures.
BetaShares Global Healthcare ETF · iShares Global Healthcare ETF
Both track global healthcare companies but via different indexes, so sector tilts and regional weights differ. IXJ is 10bp cheaper at 0.47%. DRUG focuses on biotech and pharmaceuticals; IXJ has a broader healthcare definition including medical devices and services.
Score Breakdown
Fund Profiles
BetaShares Global Healthcare ETF tracks the Nasdaq Global ex-Australia Pharmaceuticals, Biotech and Life Sciences Index, providing targeted exposure to the world's leading pharma and biotech firms. The fund excludes Australian companies and is unhedged, meaning investors carry USD currency exposure that can influence returns when the Australian dollar fluctuates. DRUG suits investors seeking a defensive sector tilt or a satellite allocation to global healthcare innovation alongside a broader diversified portfolio.
Tracking the S&P Global 1200 Health Care Sector Index, IXJ is managed by BlackRock's iShares and provides ASX investors with exposure to global healthcare companies across developed markets. The index takes a broad definition of healthcare, encompassing pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, health insurers, and healthcare services providers rather than concentrating solely on drug makers. Investors seeking defensive sector diversification or a long-term thematic allocation to global healthcare - an industry supported by ageing demographics and rising spending - will find IXJ a well-established option.