BKAG vs. BKUI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BKAG (BNY Mellon Core Bond ETF) and BKUI (BNY Mellon Ultra Short Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BKAG is a Total Bond Market fund tracking the Bloomberg US Aggregate Total Return Index, while BKUI is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by BNY Mellon. BKAG is passively managed, while BKUI is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, BKAG returned 3.95%/yr vs 5.21%/yr for BKUI. A 0.55 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BKAG charges 0.00%/yr vs 0.12%/yr for BKUI.

Performance

BKAG vs. BKUI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BNY Mellon Core Bond ETF (BKAG) and BNY Mellon Ultra Short Income ETF (BKUI). 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 BKUI's 1.42% return.

BKAG

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

BKUI

• 1D: -0.01%
• 1M: 0.33%
• YTD: 1.42%
• 6M: 1.74%
• 1Y: 4.32%
• 3Y*: 5.21%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BKAG vs. BKUI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
BKAG BNY Mellon Core Bond ETF	0.29%	7.23%	1.17%	5.67%	-13.29%	-0.46%
BKUI BNY Mellon Ultra Short Income ETF	1.42%	4.93%	5.50%	5.75%	-0.08%	-0.26%

Correlation

The correlation between BKAG and BKUI is 0.46, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.46
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.55
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 12, 2021	0.55

The correlation between BKAG and BKUI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.46 to 0.55 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BKAG vs. BKUI — 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

BKUI

BKUI Risk / Return Rank: 99
BKUI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
BKUI Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
BKUI Omega Ratio Rank: 100
BKUI Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
BKUI Martin Ratio Rank: 99

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. BKUI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BNY Mellon Core Bond ETF (BKAG) and BNY Mellon Ultra Short Income ETF (BKUI). 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	BKUI	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.32	10.52	-9.20
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.94	25.25	-23.31
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	6.02	-4.79
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.86	32.56	-30.70
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.49	230.94	-225.45
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. BKUI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BKAG Sharpe Ratio is 1.32, which is lower than the BKUI Sharpe Ratio of 10.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BKAG and BKUI, 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	BKUI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.32	10.52	-9.20
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.01	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.01	6.08	-6.07

Drawdowns

BKAG vs. BKUI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BKAG drawdown since its inception was -18.53%, which is greater than BKUI's maximum drawdown of -1.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BKAG and BKUI.

Drawdown Indicators

	BKAG	BKUI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.53%	-1.72%	-16.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.76%	-0.13%	-2.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.04%	-0.25%	-5.79%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.00%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.32%	-0.01%	-2.31%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.12%	-0.27%	-6.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.93%	0.02%	+0.91%

Volatility

BKAG vs. BKUI - Volatility Comparison

BNY Mellon Core Bond ETF (BKAG) has a higher volatility of 1.22% compared to BNY Mellon Ultra Short Income ETF (BKUI) at 0.15%. This indicates that BKAG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BKUI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BKAG	BKUI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.22%	0.15%	+1.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.74%	0.31%	+2.43%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.87%	0.41%	+3.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.01%	0.59%	+5.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.55%	0.59%	+4.96%

BKAG vs. BKUI - Expense Ratio Comparison

BKAG has a 0.00% expense ratio, which is lower than BKUI's 0.12% 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. BKUI - Dividend Comparison

BKAG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.24%, which matches BKUI's 4.21% 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%
BKUI BNY Mellon Ultra Short Income ETF	4.21%	4.48%	5.11%	4.29%	1.82%	0.22%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BKAG and BKUI in my portfolio?

BKAG and BKUI have a correlation of 0.46, 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 BKUI?

BKAG has higher volatility (1.22%) compared to BKUI (0.15%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BKAG dropped -18.53% vs BKUI's -1.72%.

Which ETF is better, BKAG or BKUI?

On 3-year performance, BKUI leads with 5.21% vs 3.95% for BKAG. On fees, BKAG is cheaper at 0.00% per year. On volatility, BKUI has been the lower-risk option at 0.15%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BKAG or BKUI?

Over the 3-year period, BKUI has performed better with a 5.21% return vs 3.95%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BKAG or BKUI?

BKAG is cheaper with a 0.00% expense ratio, compared with 0.12% for BKUI.

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

BKAG has the higher dividend yield at 4.24%, compared with 4.21% for BKUI.

What is the main difference between BKAG and BKUI?

BKAG is categorized as Total Bond Market, while BKUI is Ultrashort Bond. Their fees differ too: 0.00% for BKAG and 0.12% for BKUI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BKUI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (10.52 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.