IBB and XBI Underperform Benchmark Indexes for August 10-17, 2015
IBB and XBI small-cap stocks
Measured by market cap, the top ten small-cap stocks of the iShares NASDAQ Biotechnology ETF (IBB) have a weight of 2.39%. The top ten small-cap stocks of the SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (XBI) have a weight of 11.02%.
During the week of August 10–17, 2015, the XBI top ten small-cap stocks outperformed the IBB’s top ten small-cap stocks. XBI small caps returned 1.04% while IBB small caps rose by 0.07% during the same period. The graph below reflects the performance of IBB and XBI’s top ten small-cap stocks on a week-over-week basis.
Esperion outperforms while Alder and Sage underperform
Esperion Therapeutics (ESPR) rose by 10.52% for the period August 10–17, 2015. The stock went up on the update on the Phase II clinical trials meeting with the FDA on its ETC-1002. According to the company’s press release, the FDA has confirmed that the drug is acceptable for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Also, it announced that the Phase III clinical trial is scheduled to begin at the end of 2015. ESPR has a weight of 1.39% in XBI.
Alder Biopharmaceuticals (ALDR) fell by 8.2%, following the market trend. The stock has been falling after reporting a loss of $17.7 million for 2Q15. ALDR has a weight of 1.64% in XBI.
Sage Therapeutics (SAGE) fell by 6.38%. SAGE announced its 2Q15 results on August 12, 2015, reporting a net loss of $25 million for the quarter.
Giving exposure to large caps, IBB and XBI hold stocks such as Gilead Sciences (GILD), Amgen (AMGN), and Celgene (CELG).
Browse this series on Market Realist: