BFOR vs. USMF

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

BFOR (ALPS Barron's 400 ETF) and USMF (WisdomTree US Multifactor Fund) are both Mid Cap Blend Equities funds - BFOR tracks the Barron's 400 Index while USMF tracks the WisdomTree US Multifactor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, BFOR returned 11.33%/yr vs 7.81%/yr for USMF. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BFOR charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.28%/yr for USMF.

Performance

BFOR vs. USMF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ALPS Barron's 400 ETF (BFOR) and WisdomTree US Multifactor Fund (USMF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BFOR achieves a 14.46% return, which is significantly higher than USMF's 3.99% return.

BFOR

• 1D: 0.37%
• 1M: 1.67%
• 6M: 9.00%
• YTD: 14.46%
• 1Y: 22.45%
• 3Y*: 17.95%
• 5Y*: 11.33%
• 10Y*: 12.49%

USMF

• 1D: -0.47%
• 1M: -1.35%
• 6M: 2.79%
• YTD: 3.99%
• 1Y: 6.49%
• 3Y*: 11.89%
• 5Y*: 7.81%
• 10Y*: —

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

BFOR vs. USMF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BFOR ALPS Barron's 400 ETF	14.46%	13.85%	17.81%	18.19%	-15.92%	30.71%	17.60%	21.30%	-13.86%	12.68%
USMF WisdomTree US Multifactor Fund	3.99%	4.60%	19.65%	13.47%	-8.82%	21.26%	12.01%	24.06%	-4.72%	11.27%

Correlation

The correlation between BFOR and USMF is 0.77, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.77
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 24, 2017	0.87

The correlation between BFOR and USMF shifts across timeframes, from 0.77 (1 year) to 0.88 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

BFOR vs. USMF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BFOR	USMF
Financial Services	20.9%	10.7%
Technology	20.9%	33.2%
Industrials	16.5%	7.9%
Healthcare	11.7%	9.0%
Consumer Cyclical	10.7%	10.5%
Energy	6.9%	4.8%
Consumer Defensive	4.0%	4.3%
Communication Services	3.8%	9.8%
Basic Materials	2.8%	1.1%
Utilities	1.8%	1.9%
Real Estate	-	2.0%

Return for Risk

BFOR vs. USMF — Risk / Return Rank

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

BFOR

BFOR Risk / Return Rank: 59
BFOR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
BFOR Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
BFOR Omega Ratio Rank: 52
BFOR Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
BFOR Martin Ratio Rank: 65

USMF

USMF Risk / Return Rank: 22
USMF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
USMF Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
USMF Omega Ratio Rank: 18
USMF Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
USMF Martin Ratio Rank: 28

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.

BFOR vs. USMF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ALPS Barron's 400 ETF (BFOR) and WisdomTree US Multifactor Fund (USMF). 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.

	BFOR	USMF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.52	0.57	+0.95
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.28	0.89	+1.39
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.10	+0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.51	1.01	+1.50
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.18	3.16	+6.02

BFOR vs. USMF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BFOR Sharpe Ratio is 1.52, which is higher than the USMF Sharpe Ratio of 0.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BFOR and USMF, 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

BFOR vs. USMF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BFOR drawdown since its inception was -41.27%, which is greater than USMF's maximum drawdown of -36.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BFOR and USMF.

Drawdown Indicators

	BFOR	USMF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.27%	-36.24%	-5.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.98%	-6.47%	-2.51%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.91%	-15.39%	-6.52%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.93%	-18.10%	-7.83%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.27%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.42%	-2.49%	+1.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.37%	-4.12%	-2.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.45%	2.06%	+0.39%

Volatility

BFOR vs. USMF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ALPS Barron's 400 ETF (BFOR) is 3.16%, while WisdomTree US Multifactor Fund (USMF) has a volatility of 4.60%. This indicates that BFOR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than USMF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BFOR	USMF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.16%	4.60%	-1.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.86%	9.09%	+1.77%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.81%	11.41%	+3.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.43%	14.39%	+5.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.33%	16.96%	+3.37%

BFOR vs. USMF - Expense Ratio Comparison

BFOR has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than USMF's 0.28% expense ratio.

Dividends

BFOR vs. USMF - Dividend Comparison

BFOR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.52%, less than USMF's 1.32% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BFOR ALPS Barron's 400 ETF	0.52%	0.60%	0.69%	1.26%	1.68%	0.92%	0.98%	0.69%	0.94%	0.60%	0.78%	0.86%
USMF WisdomTree US Multifactor Fund	1.32%	1.37%	1.22%	1.33%	1.74%	1.42%	1.34%	1.38%	1.45%	0.67%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BFOR and USMF in my portfolio?

BFOR and USMF have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BFOR or USMF?

USMF has higher volatility (4.60%) compared to BFOR (3.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BFOR dropped -41.27% vs USMF's -36.24%.

Which ETF is better, BFOR or USMF?

On 5-year performance, BFOR leads with 11.33% vs 7.81% for USMF. On fees, USMF is cheaper at 0.28% per year. On volatility, BFOR has been the lower-risk option at 3.16%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BFOR or USMF?

Over the 5-year period, BFOR has performed better with a 11.33% return vs 7.81%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BFOR or USMF?

USMF is cheaper with a 0.28% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for BFOR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BFOR or USMF?

USMF has the higher dividend yield at 1.32%, compared with 0.52% for BFOR.

What is the main difference between BFOR and USMF?

BFOR tracks Barron's 400 Index, while USMF tracks WisdomTree US Multifactor Index. They also come from different issuers: SS&C and WisdomTree. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for BFOR and 0.28% for USMF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BFOR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.52 vs 0.57), 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.