BKAG vs. BCPL

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

BKAG (BNY Mellon Core Bond ETF) and BCPL (BNY Mellon Core Plus ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BKAG is a Total Bond Market fund tracking the Bloomberg US Aggregate Total Return Index, while BCPL is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund actively managed by BNY Mellon. BKAG is passively managed, while BCPL is actively managed. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BKAG charges 0.00%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for BCPL.

Performance

BKAG vs. BCPL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BNY Mellon Core Bond ETF (BKAG) and BNY Mellon Core Plus ETF (BCPL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

BKAG

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: 0.74%
• YTD: 0.55%
• 6M: 0.69%
• 1Y: 4.37%
• 3Y*: 3.97%
• 5Y*: 0.05%
• 10Y*: —

BCPL

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 0.79%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BKAG vs. BCPL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
BKAG BNY Mellon Core Bond ETF	0.18%
BCPL BNY Mellon Core Plus ETF	0.55%

Correlation

The correlation between BKAG and BCPL is 0.90, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 12, 2026	0.90

Return for Risk

BKAG vs. BCPL — Risk / Return Rank

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

BKAG

BKAG Risk / Return Rank: 32
BKAG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
BKAG Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
BKAG Omega Ratio Rank: 31
BKAG Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
BKAG Martin Ratio Rank: 31

BCPL

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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.

BKAG vs. BCPL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BNY Mellon Core Bond ETF (BKAG) and BNY Mellon Core Plus ETF (BCPL). 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.

	BKAG	BCPL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.15	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.69	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.59	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.43	—	—

Drawdowns

BKAG vs. BCPL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BKAG drawdown since its inception was -18.53%, which is greater than BCPL's maximum drawdown of -2.95%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BKAG and BCPL.

Drawdown Indicators

	BKAG	BCPL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.53%	-2.95%	-15.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.76%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.04%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.00%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.06%	-1.00%	-1.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.08%	-1.04%	-6.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.99%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	BKAG	BCPL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.05%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.81%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.82%	4.02%	-0.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.02%	4.02%	+2.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.54%	4.02%	+1.52%

BKAG vs. BCPL - Expense Ratio Comparison

BKAG has a 0.00% expense ratio, which is lower than BCPL's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

BKAG vs. BCPL - Dividend Comparison

BKAG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.23%, more than BCPL's 1.56% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
BCPL BNY Mellon Core Plus ETF	1.56%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
BKAG BNY Mellon Core Bond ETF	4.23%	4.17%	4.26%	3.33%	2.49%	1.55%	1.16%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BKAG and BCPL in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, BKAG and BCPL move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which ETF is better, BKAG or BCPL?

On fees, BKAG is cheaper at 0.00% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, BKAG or BCPL?

BKAG is cheaper with a 0.00% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for BCPL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BKAG or BCPL?

BKAG has the higher dividend yield at 4.23%, compared with 1.56% for BCPL.

What is the main difference between BKAG and BCPL?

BKAG is categorized as Total Bond Market, while BCPL is Intermediate Core-Plus Bond. Their fees differ too: 0.00% for BKAG and 0.40% for BCPL.