BALI vs. BAMU

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

BALI (Blackrock Advantage Large Cap Income ETF) and BAMU (Brookstone Ultra-Short Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BALI is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by BlackRock, while BAMU is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by Brookstone. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, BALI returned 25.38% vs 2.91% for BAMU. At a correlation of -0.03, they often move in opposite directions. BALI charges 0.35%/yr vs 1.09%/yr for BAMU.

Performance

BALI vs. BAMU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Blackrock Advantage Large Cap Income ETF (BALI) and Brookstone Ultra-Short Bond ETF (BAMU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BALI achieves a 10.07% return, which is significantly higher than BAMU's 1.18% return.

BALI

• 1D: -0.30%
• 1M: -0.31%
• YTD: 10.07%
• 6M: 10.01%
• 1Y: 25.38%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BAMU

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.16%
• YTD: 1.18%
• 6M: 1.23%
• 1Y: 2.91%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BALI vs. BAMU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
BALI Blackrock Advantage Large Cap Income ETF	10.07%	14.51%	22.38%	9.71%
BAMU Brookstone Ultra-Short Bond ETF	1.18%	3.21%	4.14%	1.20%

Correlation

The correlation between BALI and BAMU is -0.12, 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	-0.12
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 28, 2023	-0.03

Return for Risk

BALI vs. BAMU — Risk / Return Rank

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

BALI

BALI Risk / Return Rank: 81
BALI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
BALI Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
BALI Omega Ratio Rank: 81
BALI Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
BALI Martin Ratio Rank: 88

BAMU

BAMU Risk / Return Rank: 98
BAMU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
BAMU Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
BAMU Omega Ratio Rank: 98
BAMU Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
BAMU Martin Ratio Rank: 99

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.

BALI vs. BAMU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Blackrock Advantage Large Cap Income ETF (BALI) and Brookstone Ultra-Short Bond ETF (BAMU). 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.

	BALI	BAMU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.45	5.01	-2.56
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.34	8.84	-5.49
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	2.43	-0.97
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.80	24.72	-20.92
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.28	97.90	-79.62

BALI vs. BAMU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BALI Sharpe Ratio is 2.45, which is lower than the BAMU Sharpe Ratio of 5.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BALI and BAMU, 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

BALI vs. BAMU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BALI drawdown since its inception was -16.65%, which is greater than BAMU's maximum drawdown of -0.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BALI and BAMU.

Drawdown Indicators

	BALI	BAMU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.65%	-0.36%	-16.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.71%	-0.12%	-6.59%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.44%	0.00%	-1.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.63%	-0.02%	-1.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.39%	0.03%	+1.36%

Volatility

BALI vs. BAMU - Volatility Comparison

Blackrock Advantage Large Cap Income ETF (BALI) has a higher volatility of 3.95% compared to Brookstone Ultra-Short Bond ETF (BAMU) at 0.09%. This indicates that BALI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BAMU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BALI	BAMU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.95%	0.09%	+3.86%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.24%	0.40%	+7.84%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.44%	0.58%	+9.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.01%	0.87%	+12.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.01%	0.87%	+12.14%

BALI vs. BAMU - Expense Ratio Comparison

BALI has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than BAMU's 1.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

BALI vs. BAMU - Dividend Comparison

BALI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.74%, more than BAMU's 3.05% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
BALI Blackrock Advantage Large Cap Income ETF	7.74%	8.51%	7.13%	2.13%
BAMU Brookstone Ultra-Short Bond ETF	3.05%	3.20%	3.97%	0.84%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BALI and BAMU in my portfolio?

BALI and BAMU have a correlation of -0.12, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BALI or BAMU?

BALI has higher volatility (3.95%) compared to BAMU (0.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BALI dropped -16.65% vs BAMU's -0.36%.

Which ETF is better, BALI or BAMU?

On 1-year performance, BALI leads with 25.38% vs 2.91% for BAMU. On fees, BALI is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, BAMU has been the lower-risk option at 0.09%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BALI or BAMU?

Over the 1-year period, BALI has performed better with a 25.38% return vs 2.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BALI or BAMU?

BALI is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 1.09% for BAMU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BALI or BAMU?

BALI has the higher dividend yield at 7.74%, compared with 3.05% for BAMU.

What is the main difference between BALI and BAMU?

BALI is categorized as Derivative Income, while BAMU is Ultrashort Bond. They also come from different issuers: BlackRock and Brookstone. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for BALI and 1.09% for BAMU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BAMU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.01 vs 2.45), 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.