BKAG vs. BKEM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BKAG (BNY Mellon Core Bond ETF) and BKEM (BNY Mellon Emerging Markets Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BKAG is a Total Bond Market fund tracking the Bloomberg US Aggregate Total Return Index, while BKEM is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Emerging Markets Large Cap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, BKAG returned 0.07%/yr vs 7.81%/yr for BKEM. At a 0.12 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BKAG charges 0.00%/yr vs 0.11%/yr for BKEM.

Performance

BKAG vs. BKEM - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BKAG achieves a 0.29% return, which is significantly lower than BKEM's 31.50% return.

BKAG

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: 0.27%
• YTD: 0.29%
• 6M: 0.12%
• 1Y: 5.10%
• 3Y*: 3.95%
• 5Y*: 0.07%
• 10Y*: —

BKEM

• 1D: 0.94%
• 1M: 10.32%
• YTD: 31.50%
• 6M: 33.79%
• 1Y: 59.20%
• 3Y*: 24.50%
• 5Y*: 7.81%
• 10Y*: —

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

BKAG vs. BKEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
BKAG BNY Mellon Core Bond ETF	0.29%	7.23%	1.17%	5.67%	-13.29%	-1.46%	2.15%
BKEM BNY Mellon Emerging Markets Equity ETF	31.50%	30.55%	7.53%	8.68%	-19.43%	-3.91%	47.53%

Correlation

The correlation between BKAG and BKEM is 0.28, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.28
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.20
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.13
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 27, 2020	0.12

The correlation between BKAG and BKEM shifts across timeframes, from 0.12 (all time) to 0.28 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BKAG vs. BKEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

BKAG

BKAG Risk / Return Rank: 36
BKAG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
BKAG Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
BKAG Omega Ratio Rank: 34
BKAG Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
BKAG Martin Ratio Rank: 35

BKEM

BKEM Risk / Return Rank: 86
BKEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
BKEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
BKEM Omega Ratio Rank: 86
BKEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
BKEM Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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. BKEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BNY Mellon Core Bond ETF (BKAG) and BNY Mellon Emerging Markets Equity ETF (BKEM). 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.

	BKAG	BKEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.32	3.06	-1.74
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.94	3.94	-2.00
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.54	-0.31
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.86	4.58	-2.72
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.49	17.63	-12.14
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BKAG vs. BKEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BKAG Sharpe Ratio is 1.32, which is lower than the BKEM Sharpe Ratio of 3.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BKAG and BKEM, 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

	BKAG	BKEM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.32	3.06	-1.74
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.01	0.42	-0.41
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.01	0.76	-0.75

Drawdowns

BKAG vs. BKEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BKAG drawdown since its inception was -18.53%, smaller than the maximum BKEM drawdown of -39.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BKAG and BKEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	BKAG	BKEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.53%	-39.48%	+20.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.76%	-13.11%	+10.35%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.04%	-18.38%	+12.34%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.00%	-36.53%	+18.53%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.32%	0.00%	-2.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.12%	-16.01%	+8.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.93%	3.41%	-2.48%

Volatility

BKAG vs. BKEM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for BNY Mellon Core Bond ETF (BKAG) is 1.22%, while BNY Mellon Emerging Markets Equity ETF (BKEM) has a volatility of 7.98%. This indicates that BKAG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BKEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BKAG	BKEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.22%	7.98%	-6.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.74%	16.71%	-13.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.87%	19.43%	-15.56%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.01%	18.73%	-12.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.55%	19.12%	-13.57%

BKAG vs. BKEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

BKAG has a 0.00% expense ratio, which is lower than BKEM's 0.11% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

BKAG vs. BKEM - Dividend Comparison

BKAG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.24%, more than BKEM's 1.44% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
BKAG BNY Mellon Core Bond ETF	4.24%	4.17%	4.26%	3.33%	2.49%	1.55%	1.16%
BKEM BNY Mellon Emerging Markets Equity ETF	1.44%	2.25%	2.76%	3.02%	3.15%	2.22%	1.78%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BKAG and BKEM in my portfolio?

BKAG and BKEM have a correlation of 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BKAG or BKEM?

BKEM has higher volatility (7.98%) compared to BKAG (1.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BKAG dropped -18.53% vs BKEM's -39.48%.

Which ETF is better, BKAG or BKEM?

On 5-year performance, BKEM leads with 7.81% vs 0.07% for BKAG. On fees, BKAG is cheaper at 0.00% per year. On volatility, BKAG has been the lower-risk option at 1.22%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BKAG or BKEM?

Over the 5-year period, BKEM has performed better with a 7.81% return vs 0.07%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BKAG or BKEM?

BKAG is cheaper with a 0.00% expense ratio, compared with 0.11% for BKEM.

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

BKAG has the higher dividend yield at 4.24%, compared with 1.44% for BKEM.

What is the main difference between BKAG and BKEM?

BKAG is categorized as Total Bond Market, while BKEM is Asia Pacific Equities. BKAG tracks Bloomberg US Aggregate Total Return Index, while BKEM tracks Morningstar Emerging Markets Large Cap Index. Their fees differ too: 0.00% for BKAG and 0.11% for BKEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BKEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.06 vs 1.32), 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.