BAFE vs. BNO

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

BAFE (Brown Advisory Flexible Equity ETF) and BNO (United States Brent Oil Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - BAFE is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Brown Advisory, while BNO is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the Crude Oil Brent ICE Near Term Futures. BAFE is actively managed, while BNO is passively managed. Over the past year, BAFE returned 14.24% vs 30.19% for BNO. At a correlation of -0.12, they often move in opposite directions. BAFE charges 0.54%/yr vs 1.00%/yr for BNO.

Performance

BAFE vs. BNO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Brown Advisory Flexible Equity ETF (BAFE) and United States Brent Oil Fund LP (BNO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BAFE achieves a 5.32% return, which is significantly lower than BNO's 52.26% return.

BAFE

• 1D: -0.93%
• 1M: 1.39%
• YTD: 5.32%
• 6M: 4.99%
• 1Y: 14.24%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BNO

• 1D: -1.73%
• 1M: -21.60%
• YTD: 52.26%
• 6M: 50.77%
• 1Y: 30.19%
• 3Y*: 19.86%
• 5Y*: 17.50%
• 10Y*: 11.40%

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

BAFE vs. BNO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
BAFE Brown Advisory Flexible Equity ETF	5.32%	9.80%	-0.51%
BNO United States Brent Oil Fund LP	52.26%	-5.44%	5.79%

Correlation

The correlation between BAFE and BNO is -0.26, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.26
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 18, 2024	-0.12

The correlation between BAFE and BNO shifts across timeframes, from -0.26 (1 year) to -0.12 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BAFE vs. BNO — Risk / Return Rank

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

BAFE

BAFE Risk / Return Rank: 29
BAFE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
BAFE Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
BAFE Omega Ratio Rank: 29
BAFE Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
BAFE Martin Ratio Rank: 30

BNO

BNO Risk / Return Rank: 23
BNO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
BNO Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
BNO Omega Ratio Rank: 23
BNO Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
BNO Martin Ratio Rank: 25

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.

BAFE vs. BNO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Brown Advisory Flexible Equity ETF (BAFE) and United States Brent Oil Fund LP (BNO). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	BAFE	BNO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.07	0.73	+0.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.54	1.23	+0.31
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.16	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.12	1.07	+0.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.01	3.33	+0.68

BAFE vs. BNO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BAFE Sharpe Ratio is 1.07, which is higher than the BNO Sharpe Ratio of 0.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BAFE and BNO, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

BAFE vs. BNO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BAFE drawdown since its inception was -18.37%, smaller than the maximum BNO drawdown of -87.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BAFE and BNO.

Drawdown Indicators

	BAFE	BNO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.37%	-87.06%	+68.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.73%	-28.29%	+15.56%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-28.29%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-33.70%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-75.18%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.56%	-28.29%	+26.73%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.33%	-40.10%	+36.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.56%	10.51%	-6.95%

Volatility

BAFE vs. BNO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Brown Advisory Flexible Equity ETF (BAFE) is 4.58%, while United States Brent Oil Fund LP (BNO) has a volatility of 10.98%. This indicates that BAFE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BNO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BAFE	BNO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.58%	10.98%	-6.40%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.52%	37.28%	-26.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.44%	41.73%	-28.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.51%	35.65%	-18.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.51%	36.71%	-19.20%

BAFE vs. BNO - Expense Ratio Comparison

BAFE has a 0.54% expense ratio, which is lower than BNO's 1.00% expense ratio.

Dividends

BAFE vs. BNO - Dividend Comparison

BAFE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.28%, while BNO has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
BAFE Brown Advisory Flexible Equity ETF	0.28%	0.30%	0.06%
BNO United States Brent Oil Fund LP	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BAFE and BNO in my portfolio?

BAFE and BNO have a correlation of -0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BAFE or BNO?

BNO has higher volatility (10.98%) compared to BAFE (4.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BAFE dropped -18.37% vs BNO's -87.06%.

Which ETF is better, BAFE or BNO?

On 1-year performance, BNO leads with 30.19% vs 14.24% for BAFE. On fees, BAFE is cheaper at 0.54% per year. On volatility, BAFE has been the lower-risk option at 4.58%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BAFE or BNO?

Over the 1-year period, BNO has performed better with a 30.19% return vs 14.24%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BAFE or BNO?

BAFE is cheaper with a 0.54% expense ratio, compared with 1.00% for BNO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BAFE or BNO?

BAFE has the higher dividend yield at 0.28%, compared with 0.00% for BNO.

What is the main difference between BAFE and BNO?

BAFE is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while BNO is Oil & Gas. They also come from different issuers: Brown Advisory and USCF Investments. Their fees differ too: 0.54% for BAFE and 1.00% for BNO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BAFE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.07 vs 0.73), 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.