BALI vs. BRTR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BALI (Blackrock Advantage Large Cap Income ETF) and BRTR (Blackrock Total Return ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BALI is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by BlackRock, while BRTR is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund actively managed by BlackRock. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, BALI returned 26.38% vs 5.97% for BRTR. At a 0.25 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BALI charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for BRTR.

Performance

BALI vs. BRTR - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BALI achieves a 11.22% return, which is significantly higher than BRTR's 0.40% return.

BALI

• 1D: -0.41%
• 1M: 4.44%
• YTD: 11.22%
• 6M: 11.78%
• 1Y: 26.38%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BRTR

• 1D: -0.20%
• 1M: 0.46%
• YTD: 0.40%
• 6M: 0.28%
• 1Y: 5.97%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BALI vs. BRTR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
BALI Blackrock Advantage Large Cap Income ETF	11.22%	14.51%	22.38%	1.11%
BRTR Blackrock Total Return ETF	0.40%	8.11%	1.29%	0.43%

Correlation

The correlation between BALI and BRTR is 0.32, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.32
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 15, 2023	0.25

BALI vs. BRTR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BALI	BRTR
Technology	35.0%	6.7%
Communication Services	10.6%	23.8%
Consumer Cyclical	10.2%	7.6%
Healthcare	9.4%	-
Financial Services	9.0%	22.7%
Industrials	8.0%	1.5%
Consumer Defensive	6.1%	-
Energy	4.3%	25.1%
Utilities	1.9%	1.8%
Basic Materials	1.4%	8.7%
Real Estate	0.9%	2.2%

Return for Risk

BALI vs. BRTR — Risk / Return Rank

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

BALI

BALI Risk / Return Rank: 82
BALI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
BALI Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
BALI Omega Ratio Rank: 81
BALI Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
BALI Martin Ratio Rank: 88

BRTR

BRTR Risk / Return Rank: 42
BRTR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
BRTR Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
BRTR Omega Ratio Rank: 45
BRTR Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
BRTR Martin Ratio Rank: 36

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. BRTR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Blackrock Advantage Large Cap Income ETF (BALI) and Blackrock Total Return ETF (BRTR). 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.

	BALI	BRTR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.67	1.63	+1.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.72	2.38	+1.34
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	1.29	+0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.95	1.84	+2.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.71	5.57	+14.15
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BALI vs. BRTR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BALI Sharpe Ratio is 2.67, which is higher than the BRTR Sharpe Ratio of 1.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BALI and BRTR, 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

	BALI	BRTR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.67	1.63	+1.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.72	0.88	+0.84

Drawdowns

BALI vs. BRTR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BALI drawdown since its inception was -16.65%, which is greater than BRTR's maximum drawdown of -5.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BALI and BRTR.

Drawdown Indicators

	BALI	BRTR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.65%	-5.07%	-11.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.71%	-3.26%	-3.45%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.41%	-1.69%	+1.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.63%	-1.35%	-0.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.34%	1.08%	+0.26%

Volatility

BALI vs. BRTR - Volatility Comparison

Blackrock Advantage Large Cap Income ETF (BALI) has a higher volatility of 1.95% compared to Blackrock Total Return ETF (BRTR) at 1.28%. This indicates that BALI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BRTR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BALI	BRTR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.95%	1.28%	+0.67%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.47%	2.77%	+4.70%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.91%	3.68%	+6.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.93%	4.69%	+8.24%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.93%	4.69%	+8.24%

BALI vs. BRTR - Expense Ratio Comparison

BALI has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than BRTR's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

BALI vs. BRTR - Dividend Comparison

BALI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.66%, more than BRTR's 4.73% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
BALI Blackrock Advantage Large Cap Income ETF	7.66%	8.51%	7.13%	2.13%
BRTR Blackrock Total Return ETF	4.73%	4.86%	5.58%	0.22%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BALI and BRTR in my portfolio?

BALI and BRTR have a correlation of 0.32, 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 BRTR?

BALI has higher volatility (1.95%) compared to BRTR (1.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BALI dropped -16.65% vs BRTR's -5.07%.

Which ETF is better, BALI or BRTR?

On 1-year performance, BALI leads with 26.38% vs 5.97% for BRTR. On fees, BALI is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, BRTR has been the lower-risk option at 1.28%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BALI or BRTR?

Over the 1-year period, BALI has performed better with a 26.38% return vs 5.97%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BALI or BRTR?

BALI is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.38% for BRTR.

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

BALI has the higher dividend yield at 7.66%, compared with 4.73% for BRTR.

What is the main difference between BALI and BRTR?

BALI is categorized as Derivative Income, while BRTR is Intermediate Core-Plus Bond. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for BALI and 0.38% for BRTR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BALI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.67 vs 1.63), 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.