Overview
US health care sector — pharma, biotech, and medical devices. Defensive characteristics with long-term demographic growth drivers.
Top Holdings
| Ticker | Holding | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| UNH | UnitedHealth Group | 10.8% |
| LLY | Eli Lilly | 9.4% |
| ABT | Abbott Labs | 5.8% |
| TMO | Thermo Fisher | 5.4% |
| MRK | Merck & Co. | 5.2% |
| ABBV | AbbVie Inc. | 4.8% |
| DHR | Danaher Corp. | 4.4% |
| BMY | Bristol-Myers | 3.8% |
| ISRG | Intuitive Surgical | 3.4% |
| SYK | Stryker Corp. | 3.2% |
Fund Details
Investment Thesis
Healthcare combines defensive income characteristics with secular growth from aging demographics, pharmaceutical innovation, and medical technology advancement. The global population of people over 65 is expected to double by 2050, creating structural demand growth for healthcare services regardless of economic conditions. XLV's diversification across pharmaceuticals, biotech, managed care, and devices reduces single-subsector risk.
Who It's For
Defensive investors seeking recession-resistant equity exposure with long-term demographic growth tailwinds. XLV suits those looking to reduce portfolio volatility without sacrificing long-term growth potential, as healthcare innovation has historically generated strong returns. Also suitable for investors wanting to add a defensive sector to balance growth-heavy technology positions in their equity allocation.
10-Year History
| Year | Close | % Chg |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | $69.84 | -- |
| 2017 | $81.12 | +16.2% |
| 2018 | $90.42 | +11.5% |
| 2019 | $98.26 | +8.7% |
| 2020 | $104.48 | +6.3% |
| 2021 | $131.38 | +25.7% |
| 2022 | $131.82 | +0.3% |
| 2023 | $143.26 | +8.7% |
| 2024 | $148.62 | +3.7% |
| 2025 | $152.18 | +2.4% |
| Year | Yield |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 1.68% |
| 2017 | 1.52% |
| 2018 | 1.62% |
| 2019 | 1.48% |
| 2020 | 1.42% |
| 2021 | 1.28% |
| 2022 | 1.52% |
| 2023 | 1.38% |
| 2024 | 1.32% |
| 2025 | 1.36% |
| Year | AUM | % Chg |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | $12B | -- |
| 2017 | $15B | +25.0% |
| 2018 | $18B | +20.0% |
| 2019 | $20B | +11.1% |
| 2020 | $22B | +10.0% |
| 2021 | $30B | +36.4% |
| 2022 | $28B | -6.7% |
| 2023 | $34B | +21.4% |
| 2024 | $42B | +23.5% |
| 2025 | $43B | +2.4% |
Historical figures are ETFHub estimates modelled from asset-class return patterns and may differ from official fund records. Data as of August 2026.
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