FBT ETF — First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund

First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund (FBT)

Updated October 16, 2026.

FBT is an ETF that tracks the First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index. its expense ratio is 0.55%. Total return is 1267.4% over the past 20.3 years, 479.4 points ahead of SPY at 788.0%.

First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund is an ETF that tracks an equal-dollar weighted index of 30 leading biotechnology companies, investing at least 90% of its net assets in the index constituents. The fund does not currently distribute income to shareholders, though it has made special one-time distributions in the past that should not be relied upon as recurring. With an expense ratio of 0.55%, it appeals to investors seeking targeted exposure to the biotechnology sector through a passive, diversified index strategy.

FBT performance versus SPY

Price and return data through 2026-10-16.

Total return is 1267.4% over the past 20.3 years, 479.4 points ahead of SPY at 788.0%. Over the past year its total return — price change plus distributions reinvested — is 40.5%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 14.3%.

FBT key facts

Issuer

First Trust

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Equity

Inception date

06/19/2006

Expense ratio

0.55%

Distribution frequency

None

Last close

$263.60 (as of 2026-10-16)

AUM

$2,902,972,894

Average volume

49341.0

Ex-dividend date

12/13/2024

Payment date

12/31/2024

Beta

0.75

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (the posted rate) uses calculation basis unavailable. Issuer rates can use a different denominator and date, including ex-date NAV. Trailing-12-month yield is the sum of split-adjusted cash distributions with ex-dates in the last 12 months, divided by the published price. It lags a recent raise or cut. Total return uses split-adjusted close with distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date) from the first stored bar on or after inception through the latest bar, compared with the same window on the benchmark. That is the security's total return, not your personal gain/loss.

Yield and safety methodology · Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology

Sources and review

Primary sources: First Trust or company page; Index: First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index; prices and distributions from Dividend Vision, derived from vendor EOD data.

Reviewed by Bert Sweet, CEO and Co-owner of Dividend Vision. Methodology: Distribution Safety Score.

FBT risks and drawbacks

The deepest 1-year drawdown on record here is 14.3%.

Who may consider FBT — and who may not

It is a weaker fit for investors who need monthly cash flow (FBT does not currently distribute). This is educational context, not a recommendation to buy or sell.

More on FBT

• All tickers starting with F

Tagged: Index, Healthcare.

Frequently asked questions

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