IHE iShares US Pharmaceuticals

When markets are facing a downturn, investors often depend on the healthcare sector to safeguard their investments. Since the demand for healthcare and related services does not fluctuate with changing market conditions, such investments are a safe haven during tough times. Many pharmaceutical companies also pay out regular dividends, which soften the blow investors receive from falling share prices. ETFs are the perfect choice for investors looking to enter this sector since they posses the advantages of analytical insight gleaned form in depth research which is needed to keep abreast of the latest advancements in this domain.

Exchange Traded Fund	YTD Performance
Biotech HOLDRS	7.93%
ishares Dow Jones US Pharmaceuticals	5.86%
Pharmaceutical HOLDRS	3.73%

Biotech HOLDRS (BHH) - is comprised of 18 companies involved in the Biotech Sector. This ETF has a below average expense ratio of 0.42%. The largest holdings in the ETF are Amgen, Biogen and Gilead Sciences.

ishares Dow Jones US Pharmaceuticals (IHE) - seeks to replicate generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the Dow Jones U.S. Select Pharmaceuticals Index. This ETF has a below average expense ratio of 0.47% and has net assets $192.2 million.

Pharmaceutical HOLDRS (PPH) - is comprised of 21 diversified companies in the pharmaceutical sector.  This ETF has an expense ratio of 0.42% below the category average. The largest holdings in this ETF are Johnson&Johnson, Pfizer and Merck.
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