ARBIX vs. BAMBX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

ARBIX (Absolute Convertible Arbitrage Fund Institutional Shares) and BAMBX (BlackRock Systematic Multi-Strategy Fund) are both Multistrategy funds. ARBIX is actively managed, while BAMBX is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ARBIX returned 5.34%/yr vs 3.09%/yr for BAMBX. At a 0.04 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ARBIX charges 1.47%/yr vs 1.20%/yr for BAMBX.

Performance

ARBIX vs. BAMBX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Absolute Convertible Arbitrage Fund Institutional Shares (ARBIX) and BlackRock Systematic Multi-Strategy Fund (BAMBX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ARBIX achieves a 4.60% return, which is significantly higher than BAMBX's -0.68% return.

ARBIX

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: 1.26%
• YTD: 4.60%
• 6M: 5.12%
• 1Y: 9.47%
• 3Y*: 7.79%
• 5Y*: 5.34%
• 10Y*: —

BAMBX

• 1D: -0.39%
• 1M: -0.68%
• YTD: -0.68%
• 6M: 0.50%
• 1Y: 0.98%
• 3Y*: 5.73%
• 5Y*: 3.09%
• 10Y*: 4.22%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ARBIX vs. BAMBX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ARBIX Absolute Convertible Arbitrage Fund Institutional Shares	4.60%	8.29%	7.53%	5.30%	-0.53%	2.95%	9.28%	6.38%	2.07%	8,411.75%
BAMBX BlackRock Systematic Multi-Strategy Fund	-0.68%	4.59%	6.61%	6.19%	-3.23%	5.84%	3.34%	8.25%	1.51%	3.27%

Correlation

The correlation between ARBIX and BAMBX is -0.05, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.05
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.08
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.07
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 8, 2017	0.04

The correlation between ARBIX and BAMBX shifts across timeframes, from -0.05 (1 year) to 0.08 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

ARBIX vs. BAMBX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

ARBIX

ARBIX Risk / Return Rank: 100
ARBIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
ARBIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
ARBIX Omega Ratio Rank: 99
ARBIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 100
ARBIX Martin Ratio Rank: 100

BAMBX

BAMBX Risk / Return Rank: 3
BAMBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
BAMBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 3
BAMBX Omega Ratio Rank: 3
BAMBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
BAMBX Martin Ratio Rank: 3

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

ARBIX vs. BAMBX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Absolute Convertible Arbitrage Fund Institutional Shares (ARBIX) and BlackRock Systematic Multi-Strategy Fund (BAMBX). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	ARBIX	BAMBX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	7.84	0.21	+7.63
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	14.97	0.34	+14.63
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	3.82	1.04	+2.78
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	18.69	0.19	+18.50
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	105.56	0.53	+105.03
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ARBIX vs. BAMBX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ARBIX Sharpe Ratio is 7.84, which is higher than the BAMBX Sharpe Ratio of 0.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ARBIX and BAMBX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ARBIX	BAMBX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.84	0.21	+7.63
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	2.93	0.84	+2.08
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	1.18	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.10	1.27	-1.17

Drawdowns

ARBIX vs. BAMBX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ARBIX drawdown since its inception was -4.31%, smaller than the maximum BAMBX drawdown of -8.84%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARBIX and BAMBX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ARBIX	BAMBX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.31%	-8.84%	+4.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.51%	-5.19%	+4.68%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.77%	-5.19%	+3.42%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-4.02%	-6.66%	+2.64%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-8.84%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-4.73%	+4.73%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.39%	-1.25%	+0.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.09%	1.86%	-1.77%

Volatility

ARBIX vs. BAMBX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Absolute Convertible Arbitrage Fund Institutional Shares (ARBIX) is 0.38%, while BlackRock Systematic Multi-Strategy Fund (BAMBX) has a volatility of 1.26%. This indicates that ARBIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BAMBX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ARBIX	BAMBX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.38%	1.26%	-0.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.89%	3.37%	-2.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.23%	4.16%	-2.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.83%	3.67%	-1.84%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	738.81%	3.60%	+735.21%

ARBIX vs. BAMBX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ARBIX has a 1.47% expense ratio, which is higher than BAMBX's 1.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

ARBIX vs. BAMBX - Dividend Comparison

ARBIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.10%, more than BAMBX's 1.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
ARBIX Absolute Convertible Arbitrage Fund Institutional Shares	5.10%	5.34%	4.87%	3.62%	3.33%	3.12%	2.92%	2.83%	1.97%	0.24%	0.00%
BAMBX BlackRock Systematic Multi-Strategy Fund	1.98%	1.97%	3.86%	4.13%	4.70%	2.39%	1.09%	3.73%	8.70%	3.81%	4.82%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ARBIX and BAMBX in my portfolio?

ARBIX and BAMBX have a correlation of -0.05, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ARBIX or BAMBX?

BAMBX has higher volatility (1.26%) compared to ARBIX (0.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ARBIX dropped -4.31% vs BAMBX's -8.84%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ARBIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (7.84 vs 0.21), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.