IXJ ETF — iShares Global Healthcare ETF

iShares Global Healthcare ETF (IXJ)

Updated October 16, 2026.

IXJ is an ETF. its distribution rate is 1.58%, its trailing-12-month yield is 1.35%, its expense ratio is 0.38%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 98/100 (Safe). Total return is 516.6% over the past 24.9 years, 433.3 points behind SPY at 949.9%.

iShares Global Healthcare ETF is a fund that invests at least 80% of its assets in global healthcare sector companies included in the S&P Global Healthcare Index, along with economically similar investments. The fund carries a modest expense ratio of 0.38% and distributes income on a semi-annual basis at a low current distribution rate. It appeals to income and growth investors seeking broad exposure to international healthcare companies.

IXJ performance versus SPY

Price and return data through 2026-10-16.

Total return is 516.6% over the past 24.9 years, 433.3 points behind SPY at 949.9%. Over the past year its total return — price change plus distributions reinvested — is 18.9%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 10.8%.

IXJ key facts

Distribution Safety Score™

98 · Safe

Safety-Adjusted Yield

1.55%

Issuer

iShares

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Equity

Inception date

11/13/2001

Expense ratio

0.38%

Distribution rate

1.58%

Distribution frequency

Semi-Annual

Trailing yield

1.35%

Last close

$106.93 (as of 2026-10-16)

AUM

$4,363,170,986

Average volume

1136288.0

Dividend

$0.846

Ex-dividend date

06/15/2026

Payment date

06/18/2026

Beta

0.53

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (1.58%) uses calculation basis unavailable. Issuer rates can use a different denominator and date, including ex-date NAV. Trailing-12-month yield (1.35%) 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: iShares; 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.

IXJ risks and drawbacks

IXJ's current distribution rate is moderate, not a high-yield payout — the strategy is dividend quality more than maximum income. Payments are semi-annual, so cash flow is lumpy versus a monthly fund. Total return has trailed SPY over the available window. The deepest 1-year drawdown on record here is 10.8%.

Who may consider IXJ — and who may not

IXJ may suit someone looking for a high Distribution Safety Score. It is a weaker fit for investors who need monthly cash flow (IXJ pays semi-annual); investors hunting double-digit covered-call yields; investors whose main goal is matching SPY total return. This is educational context, not a recommendation to buy or sell.

More on IXJ

• All tickers starting with I

Tagged: Healthcare.

Frequently asked questions

More securities from iShares.