BBUS vs. ESN

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

BBUS (JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Equity ETF) and ESN (Essential 40 Stock ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - BBUS tracks the Morningstar US Target Market Exposure Index while ESN tracks the Essential 40 Stock Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, BBUS returned 22.56% vs 28.79% for ESN. Their 0.77 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. BBUS charges 0.02%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for ESN.

Performance

BBUS vs. ESN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Equity ETF (BBUS) and Essential 40 Stock ETF (ESN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BBUS achieves a 11.30% return, which is significantly lower than ESN's 17.69% return.

BBUS

• 1D: 1.46%
• 1M: 1.67%
• 6M: 9.38%
• YTD: 11.30%
• 1Y: 22.56%
• 3Y*: 20.79%
• 5Y*: 12.56%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 15.98%

ESN

• 1D: 0.90%
• 1M: 0.63%
• 6M: 12.36%
• YTD: 17.69%
• 1Y: 28.79%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 17.00%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
BBUS JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Equity ETF	$26.15M	$23.57M	$29.57M
ESN Essential 40 Stock ETF	$2.27M	$1.62M	$1.62M

BBUS vs. ESN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
BBUS JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Equity ETF	11.30%	17.77%	0.69%
ESN Essential 40 Stock ETF	17.69%	16.52%	-3.53%

Correlation

The correlation between BBUS and ESN is 0.74, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 21, 2024	0.77

The correlation between BBUS and ESN has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.77 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BBUS vs. ESN — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

BBUS

BBUS Risk / Return Rank: 74
BBUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
BBUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
BBUS Omega Ratio Rank: 74
BBUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
BBUS Martin Ratio Rank: 79

ESN

ESN Risk / Return Rank: 94
ESN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
ESN Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
ESN Omega Ratio Rank: 93
ESN Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
ESN Martin Ratio Rank: 93

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

BBUS vs. ESN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Equity ETF (BBUS) and Essential 40 Stock ETF (ESN). 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.

	BBUS	ESN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.76	2.91	-1.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.44	4.00	-1.56
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.51	-0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.46	4.50	-2.04
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.36	18.06	-7.70

BBUS vs. ESN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BBUS Sharpe Ratio is 1.76, which is lower than the ESN Sharpe Ratio of 2.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BBUS and ESN, 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

BBUS vs. ESN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BBUS drawdown since its inception was -35.35%, which is greater than ESN's maximum drawdown of -13.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BBUS and ESN.

Drawdown Indicators

	BBUS	ESN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.35%	-13.60%	-21.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.21%	-6.42%	-2.79%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.01%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.46%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.12%	0.00%	-0.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.38%	-1.80%	-3.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.18%	1.60%	+0.58%

Volatility

BBUS vs. ESN - Volatility Comparison

JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Equity ETF (BBUS) has a higher volatility of 3.82% compared to Essential 40 Stock ETF (ESN) at 2.69%. This indicates that BBUS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ESN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BBUS	ESN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.82%	2.69%	+1.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.23%	7.51%	+2.72%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.87%	9.97%	+2.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.17%	13.04%	+4.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.50%	13.04%	+6.46%

BBUS vs. ESN - Expense Ratio Comparison

BBUS has a 0.02% expense ratio, which is lower than ESN's 0.70% expense ratio.

Dividends

BBUS vs. ESN - Dividend Comparison

BBUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.00%, more than ESN's 0.77% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
BBUS JPMorgan BetaBuilders U.S. Equity ETF	1.00%	1.07%	1.21%	1.38%	1.57%	1.11%	1.43%	1.37%
ESN Essential 40 Stock ETF	0.77%	0.91%	0.76%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BBUS and ESN in my portfolio?

BBUS and ESN have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BBUS or ESN?

BBUS has higher volatility (3.82%) compared to ESN (2.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BBUS dropped -35.35% vs ESN's -13.60%.

Which ETF is better, BBUS or ESN?

On 1-year performance, ESN leads with 28.79% vs 22.56% for BBUS. On fees, BBUS is cheaper at 0.02% per year. On volatility, ESN has been the lower-risk option at 2.69%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BBUS or ESN?

Over the 1-year period, ESN has performed better with a 28.79% return vs 22.56%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BBUS or ESN?

BBUS is cheaper with a 0.02% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for ESN.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BBUS or ESN?

BBUS has the higher dividend yield at 1.00%, compared with 0.77% for ESN.

What is the main difference between BBUS and ESN?

BBUS tracks Morningstar US Target Market Exposure Index, while ESN tracks Essential 40 Stock Index. They also come from different issuers: JPMorgan and KKM. Their fees differ too: 0.02% for BBUS and 0.70% for ESN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ESN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.91 vs 1.76), 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.