BKAG vs. BKSE

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BKAG (BNY Mellon Core Bond ETF) and BKSE (BNY Mellon US Small Cap Core Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BKAG is a Total Bond Market fund tracking the Bloomberg US Aggregate Total Return Index, while BKSE is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Morningstar US Small Cap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, BKAG returned 0.07%/yr vs 7.21%/yr for BKSE. At a 0.13 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BKAG charges 0.00%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for BKSE.

Performance

BKAG vs. BKSE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BNY Mellon Core Bond ETF (BKAG) and BNY Mellon US Small Cap Core Equity ETF (BKSE). 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 BKSE's 14.30% return.

BKAG

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

BKSE

• 1D: 0.34%
• 1M: 3.07%
• YTD: 14.30%
• 6M: 15.09%
• 1Y: 36.43%
• 3Y*: 17.83%
• 5Y*: 7.21%
• 10Y*: —

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

BKAG vs. BKSE - 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%
BKSE BNY Mellon US Small Cap Core Equity ETF	14.30%	13.09%	9.56%	22.37%	-18.44%	16.18%	58.04%

Correlation

The correlation between BKAG and BKSE is 0.31, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.31
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.26
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.17
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 27, 2020	0.13

The correlation between BKAG and BKSE shifts across timeframes, from 0.13 (all time) to 0.31 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BKAG vs. BKSE — 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

BKSE

BKSE Risk / Return Rank: 65
BKSE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
BKSE Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
BKSE Omega Ratio Rank: 57
BKSE Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
BKSE Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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. BKSE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BNY Mellon Core Bond ETF (BKAG) and BNY Mellon US Small Cap Core Equity ETF (BKSE). 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	BKSE	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.32	2.08	-0.76
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.94	2.98	-1.04
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.35	-0.12
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.86	3.84	-1.98
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.49	13.40	-7.90
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. BKSE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BKAG Sharpe Ratio is 1.32, which is lower than the BKSE Sharpe Ratio of 2.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BKAG and BKSE, 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	BKSE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.32	2.08	-0.76
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.01	0.34	-0.33
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.01	0.74	-0.73

Drawdowns

BKAG vs. BKSE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BKAG drawdown since its inception was -18.53%, smaller than the maximum BKSE drawdown of -29.08%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BKAG and BKSE.

Drawdown Indicators

	BKAG	BKSE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.53%	-29.08%	+10.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.76%	-9.40%	+6.64%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.04%	-26.76%	+20.72%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.00%	-29.08%	+11.08%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.32%	0.00%	-2.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.12%	-9.06%	+1.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.93%	2.69%	-1.76%

Volatility

BKAG vs. BKSE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for BNY Mellon Core Bond ETF (BKAG) is 1.22%, while BNY Mellon US Small Cap Core Equity ETF (BKSE) has a volatility of 4.36%. This indicates that BKAG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BKSE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BKAG	BKSE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.22%	4.36%	-3.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.74%	11.92%	-9.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.87%	17.59%	-13.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.01%	21.43%	-15.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.55%	22.30%	-16.75%

BKAG vs. BKSE - Expense Ratio Comparison

BKAG has a 0.00% expense ratio, which is lower than BKSE's 0.04% 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. BKSE - Dividend Comparison

BKAG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.24%, more than BKSE's 1.15% 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%
BKSE BNY Mellon US Small Cap Core Equity ETF	1.15%	1.26%	1.55%	1.38%	1.50%	1.17%	0.82%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BKAG and BKSE in my portfolio?

BKAG and BKSE have a correlation of 0.31, 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 BKSE?

BKSE has higher volatility (4.36%) compared to BKAG (1.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BKAG dropped -18.53% vs BKSE's -29.08%.

Which ETF is better, BKAG or BKSE?

On 5-year performance, BKSE leads with 7.21% 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 BKSE?

Over the 5-year period, BKSE has performed better with a 7.21% 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 BKSE?

BKAG is cheaper with a 0.00% expense ratio, compared with 0.04% for BKSE.

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

BKAG has the higher dividend yield at 4.24%, compared with 1.15% for BKSE.

What is the main difference between BKAG and BKSE?

BKAG is categorized as Total Bond Market, while BKSE is Small Cap Growth Equities. BKAG tracks Bloomberg US Aggregate Total Return Index, while BKSE tracks Morningstar US Small Cap Index. Their fees differ too: 0.00% for BKAG and 0.04% for BKSE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BKSE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.08 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.