BBDC vs. UNG

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

BBDC (Barings BDC, Inc.) is a stock, while UNG (United States Natural Gas Fund LP) is Oil & Gas fund tracking the Front Month Natural Gas. Over the past 5 years, BBDC returned 6.45%/yr vs -24.47%/yr for UNG. At a 0.06 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

BBDC vs. UNG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Barings BDC, Inc. (BBDC) and United States Natural Gas Fund LP (UNG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BBDC achieves a -2.86% return, which is significantly higher than UNG's -7.42% return.

BBDC

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.43%
• YTD: -2.86%
• 6M: -1.25%
• 1Y: 4.66%
• 3Y*: 14.63%
• 5Y*: 6.45%
• 10Y*: —

UNG

• 1D: 1.70%
• 1M: 1.70%
• YTD: -7.42%
• 6M: -10.84%
• 1Y: -30.62%
• 3Y*: -23.83%
• 5Y*: -24.47%
• 10Y*: -21.38%

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

BBDC vs. UNG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
BBDC Barings BDC, Inc.	-2.86%	8.84%	23.86%	18.53%	-18.59%	29.31%	-3.48%	20.40%	-9.56%
UNG United States Natural Gas Fund LP	-7.42%	-27.07%	-17.11%	-64.04%	12.89%	35.76%	-45.43%	-31.77%	7.06%

Correlation

The correlation between BBDC and UNG is -0.10, 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	-0.10
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.01
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.06
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 3, 2018	0.06

The correlation between BBDC and UNG shifts across timeframes, from -0.10 (1 year) to 0.06 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BBDC vs. UNG — Risk / Return Rank

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

BBDC

BBDC Risk / Return Rank: 48
BBDC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
BBDC Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
BBDC Omega Ratio Rank: 42
BBDC Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
BBDC Martin Ratio Rank: 51

UNG

UNG Risk / Return Rank: 5
UNG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
UNG Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
UNG Omega Ratio Rank: 6
UNG Calmar Ratio Rank: 4
UNG Martin Ratio Rank: 5

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.

BBDC vs. UNG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Barings BDC, Inc. (BBDC) and United States Natural Gas Fund LP (UNG). 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.

	BBDC	UNG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.22	-0.49	+0.71
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.44	-0.36	+0.81
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.05	0.95	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.33	-0.67	+1.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.73	-0.97	+1.70

BBDC vs. UNG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BBDC Sharpe Ratio is 0.22, which is higher than the UNG Sharpe Ratio of -0.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BBDC and UNG, 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

BBDC vs. UNG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BBDC drawdown since its inception was -48.45%, smaller than the maximum UNG drawdown of -99.88%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BBDC and UNG.

Drawdown Indicators

	BBDC	UNG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-48.45%	-99.88%	+51.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.28%	-43.86%	+31.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.51%	-68.16%	+43.65%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.55%	-92.49%	+64.94%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-93.55%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.42%	-99.86%	+93.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.98%	-89.96%	+81.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.59%	30.28%	-24.69%

Volatility

BBDC vs. UNG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Barings BDC, Inc. (BBDC) is 6.34%, while United States Natural Gas Fund LP (UNG) has a volatility of 12.64%. This indicates that BBDC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than UNG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BBDC	UNG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.34%	12.64%	-6.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.12%	52.01%	-36.89%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.60%	60.61%	-42.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.39%	64.11%	-44.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.21%	54.77%	-30.56%

Dividends

BBDC vs. UNG - Dividend Comparison

BBDC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.99%, while UNG has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
BBDC Barings BDC, Inc.	12.99%	12.96%	10.87%	11.89%	11.66%	7.44%	7.07%	5.25%	21.24%
UNG United States Natural Gas Fund LP	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BBDC and UNG in my portfolio?

BBDC and UNG have a correlation of -0.10, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BBDC or UNG?

UNG has higher volatility (12.64%) compared to BBDC (6.34%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BBDC dropped -48.45% vs UNG's -99.88%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BBDC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.22 vs -0.49), 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.