BCI vs. VNLA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BCI (abrdn Bloomberg All Commodity Strategy K-1 Free ETF) and VNLA (Janus Henderson Short Duration Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BCI is a Commodities fund actively managed by Aberdeen, while VNLA is a Ultrashort Bond fund tracking the FTSE 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index. BCI is actively managed, while VNLA is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, BCI returned 11.07%/yr vs 3.79%/yr for VNLA. At a 0.02 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BCI charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.23%/yr for VNLA.

Performance

BCI vs. VNLA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in abrdn Bloomberg All Commodity Strategy K-1 Free ETF (BCI) and Janus Henderson Short Duration Income ETF (VNLA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BCI achieves a 26.68% return, which is significantly higher than VNLA's 1.43% return.

BCI

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: -3.06%
• YTD: 26.68%
• 6M: 25.55%
• 1Y: 38.68%
• 3Y*: 15.96%
• 5Y*: 11.07%
• 10Y*: —

VNLA

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.37%
• YTD: 1.43%
• 6M: 1.85%
• 1Y: 4.75%
• 3Y*: 5.76%
• 5Y*: 3.79%
• 10Y*: —

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

BCI vs. VNLA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BCI abrdn Bloomberg All Commodity Strategy K-1 Free ETF	26.68%	15.07%	5.47%	-8.79%	15.09%	26.18%	-2.77%	7.06%	-11.21%	2.94%
VNLA Janus Henderson Short Duration Income ETF	1.43%	5.45%	6.41%	6.09%	-0.17%	-0.18%	3.01%	4.43%	0.02%	1.51%

Correlation

The correlation between BCI and VNLA is -0.18, 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	-0.18
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.04
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.04
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 3, 2017	0.02

The correlation between BCI and VNLA shifts across timeframes, from -0.18 (1 year) to 0.04 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

BCI vs. VNLA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BCI	VNLA
Financial Services	100.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	66.7%
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	33.3%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

BCI vs. VNLA — Risk / Return Rank

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

BCI

BCI Risk / Return Rank: 71
BCI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
BCI Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
BCI Omega Ratio Rank: 67
BCI Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
BCI Martin Ratio Rank: 70

VNLA

VNLA Risk / Return Rank: 98
VNLA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
VNLA Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
VNLA Omega Ratio Rank: 99
VNLA Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
VNLA Martin Ratio Rank: 98

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.

BCI vs. VNLA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for abrdn Bloomberg All Commodity Strategy K-1 Free ETF (BCI) and Janus Henderson Short Duration Income ETF (VNLA). 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.

	BCI	VNLA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.30	7.55	-5.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.92	15.48	-12.57
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	3.58	-2.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.10	11.15	-6.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.14	57.27	-44.13
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BCI vs. VNLA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BCI Sharpe Ratio is 2.30, which is lower than the VNLA Sharpe Ratio of 7.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BCI and VNLA, 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

	BCI	VNLA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.30	7.55	-5.25
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66	3.66	-3.00
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.48	2.10	-1.62

Drawdowns

BCI vs. VNLA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BCI drawdown since its inception was -32.69%, which is greater than VNLA's maximum drawdown of -4.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BCI and VNLA.

Drawdown Indicators

	BCI	VNLA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.69%	-4.49%	-28.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.61%	-0.43%	-7.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.38%	-0.49%	-10.89%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.50%	-1.76%	-24.74%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.52%	-0.02%	-4.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.00%	-0.23%	-11.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.95%	0.08%	+2.87%

Volatility

BCI vs. VNLA - Volatility Comparison

abrdn Bloomberg All Commodity Strategy K-1 Free ETF (BCI) has a higher volatility of 5.16% compared to Janus Henderson Short Duration Income ETF (VNLA) at 0.18%. This indicates that BCI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VNLA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BCI	VNLA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.16%	0.18%	+4.98%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.80%	0.46%	+14.34%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.92%	0.63%	+16.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.82%	1.04%	+15.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.65%	1.42%	+14.23%

BCI vs. VNLA - Expense Ratio Comparison

BCI has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than VNLA's 0.23% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

BCI vs. VNLA - Dividend Comparison

BCI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 13.01%, more than VNLA's 4.78% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
BCI abrdn Bloomberg All Commodity Strategy K-1 Free ETF	13.01%	16.49%	3.29%	3.93%	19.98%	19.43%	0.68%	1.47%	1.13%	5.02%	0.00%
VNLA Janus Henderson Short Duration Income ETF	4.78%	4.84%	4.97%	3.95%	4.35%	1.67%	1.21%	3.13%	2.43%	1.79%	0.08%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BCI and VNLA in my portfolio?

BCI and VNLA have a correlation of -0.18, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BCI or VNLA?

BCI has higher volatility (5.16%) compared to VNLA (0.18%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BCI dropped -32.69% vs VNLA's -4.49%.

Which ETF is better, BCI or VNLA?

On 5-year performance, BCI leads with 11.07% vs 3.79% for VNLA. On fees, VNLA is cheaper at 0.23% per year. On volatility, VNLA has been the lower-risk option at 0.18%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BCI or VNLA?

Over the 5-year period, BCI has performed better with a 11.07% return vs 3.79%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BCI or VNLA?

VNLA is cheaper with a 0.23% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for BCI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BCI or VNLA?

BCI has the higher dividend yield at 13.01%, compared with 4.78% for VNLA.

What is the main difference between BCI and VNLA?

BCI is categorized as Commodities, while VNLA is Ultrashort Bond. They also come from different issuers: Aberdeen and Janus Henderson. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for BCI and 0.23% for VNLA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VNLA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (7.55 vs 2.30), 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.