BKLN vs. SPHY

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

BKLN (Invesco Senior Loan ETF) and SPHY (SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF) are both High Yield Bonds funds - BKLN tracks the S&P/LSTA U.S. Leveraged Loan 100 Index while SPHY tracks the ICE BofA US High Yield Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, BKLN returned 4.26%/yr vs 5.14%/yr for SPHY. At a 0.38 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BKLN charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for SPHY.

Performance

BKLN vs. SPHY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco Senior Loan ETF (BKLN) and SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF (SPHY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BKLN achieves a 0.16% return, which is significantly lower than SPHY's 1.63% return. Over the past 10 years, BKLN has underperformed SPHY with an annualized return of 4.26%, while SPHY has yielded a comparatively higher 5.14% annualized return.

BKLN

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: -0.14%
• YTD: 0.16%
• 6M: 0.89%
• 1Y: 4.75%
• 3Y*: 7.72%
• 5Y*: 5.14%
• 10Y*: 4.26%

SPHY

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 0.42%
• YTD: 1.63%
• 6M: 2.02%
• 1Y: 7.02%
• 3Y*: 8.98%
• 5Y*: 4.41%
• 10Y*: 5.14%

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

BKLN vs. SPHY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BKLN Invesco Senior Loan ETF	0.16%	6.88%	8.21%	12.53%	-2.51%	2.32%	1.32%	10.03%	-1.32%	2.13%
SPHY SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF	1.63%	8.59%	8.54%	12.81%	-10.57%	5.61%	6.65%	13.16%	-3.35%	7.35%

Correlation

The correlation between BKLN and SPHY is 0.50, 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	0.50
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.53
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.48
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 20, 2012	0.38

The correlation between BKLN and SPHY shifts across timeframes, from 0.38 (all time) to 0.59 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

BKLN vs. SPHY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BKLN	SPHY
Technology	5.7%	-
Consumer Cyclical	2.3%	-
Financial Services	1.9%	99.9%
Industrials	0.9%	-
Real Estate	0.8%	-
Healthcare	0.8%	-
Communication Services	0.8%	-
Consumer Defensive	0.7%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Energy	-	0.1%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

BKLN vs. SPHY — Risk / Return Rank

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

BKLN

BKLN Risk / Return Rank: 49
BKLN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
BKLN Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
BKLN Omega Ratio Rank: 69
BKLN Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
BKLN Martin Ratio Rank: 39

SPHY

SPHY Risk / Return Rank: 64
SPHY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
SPHY Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
SPHY Omega Ratio Rank: 64
SPHY Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
SPHY Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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.

BKLN vs. SPHY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco Senior Loan ETF (BKLN) and SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF (SPHY). 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.

	BKLN	SPHY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.73	1.92	-0.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.56	2.92	-0.36
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.38	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.55	2.92	-1.37
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.11	13.27	-7.15
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BKLN vs. SPHY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BKLN Sharpe Ratio is 1.73, which is comparable to the SPHY Sharpe Ratio of 1.92. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BKLN and SPHY, 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

	BKLN	SPHY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.73	1.92	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.15	0.62	+0.54
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.66	0.65	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.64	0.64	+0.01

Drawdowns

BKLN vs. SPHY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BKLN drawdown since its inception was -24.17%, which is greater than SPHY's maximum drawdown of -21.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BKLN and SPHY.

Drawdown Indicators

	BKLN	SPHY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.17%	-21.97%	-2.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.07%	-2.41%	-0.66%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.55%	-4.85%	+1.30%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-7.31%	-15.29%	+7.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-24.17%	-21.97%	-2.20%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.29%	-0.14%	-0.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.09%	-2.29%	+1.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.78%	0.53%	+0.25%

Volatility

BKLN vs. SPHY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Invesco Senior Loan ETF (BKLN) is 0.42%, while SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF (SPHY) has a volatility of 1.14%. This indicates that BKLN experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPHY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BKLN	SPHY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.42%	1.14%	-0.72%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.52%	2.91%	-0.39%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.75%	3.68%	-0.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.47%	7.17%	-2.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.43%	7.89%	-1.46%

BKLN vs. SPHY - Expense Ratio Comparison

BKLN has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than SPHY's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

BKLN vs. SPHY - Dividend Comparison

BKLN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.62%, less than SPHY's 7.26% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BKLN Invesco Senior Loan ETF	6.62%	6.95%	8.41%	8.59%	4.93%	3.11%	3.56%	4.86%	4.52%	3.50%	4.54%	4.12%
SPHY SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF	7.26%	7.38%	7.80%	7.30%	6.47%	5.13%	5.63%	5.73%	4.09%	4.41%	4.27%	4.29%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BKLN and SPHY in my portfolio?

BKLN and SPHY have a correlation of 0.50, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BKLN or SPHY?

SPHY has higher volatility (1.14%) compared to BKLN (0.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BKLN dropped -24.17% vs SPHY's -21.97%.

Which ETF is better, BKLN or SPHY?

On 10-year performance, SPHY leads with 5.14% vs 4.26% for BKLN. On fees, SPHY is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, BKLN has been the lower-risk option at 0.42%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BKLN or SPHY?

Over the 10-year period, SPHY has performed better with a 5.14% return vs 4.26%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BKLN or SPHY?

SPHY is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for BKLN.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BKLN or SPHY?

SPHY has the higher dividend yield at 7.26%, compared with 6.62% for BKLN.

What is the main difference between BKLN and SPHY?

BKLN tracks S&P/LSTA U.S. Leveraged Loan 100 Index, while SPHY tracks ICE BofA US High Yield Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for BKLN and 0.05% for SPHY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPHY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.92 vs 1.73), 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.