BKLN vs. VRIG

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

BKLN (Invesco Senior Loan ETF) and VRIG (Invesco Variable Rate Investment Grade ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BKLN is a Bank Loan fund tracking the Morningstar LSTA US Leveraged Loan 100 Index, while VRIG is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by Invesco. BKLN is passively managed, while VRIG is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, BKLN returned 5.09%/yr vs 4.44%/yr for VRIG. At a 0.13 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BKLN charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for VRIG.

Performance

BKLN vs. VRIG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco Senior Loan ETF (BKLN) and Invesco Variable Rate Investment Grade ETF (VRIG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BKLN achieves a -0.04% return, which is significantly lower than VRIG's 1.87% return.

BKLN

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -0.43%
• YTD: -0.04%
• 6M: 0.55%
• 1Y: 4.39%
• 3Y*: 7.44%
• 5Y*: 5.09%
• 10Y*: 4.25%

VRIG

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 0.39%
• YTD: 1.87%
• 6M: 2.24%
• 1Y: 4.97%
• 3Y*: 5.96%
• 5Y*: 4.44%
• 10Y*: —

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

BKLN vs. VRIG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BKLN Invesco Senior Loan ETF	-0.04%	6.88%	8.21%	12.53%	-2.51%	2.32%	1.32%	10.03%	-1.32%	2.13%
VRIG Invesco Variable Rate Investment Grade ETF	1.87%	5.05%	6.81%	7.37%	0.99%	1.06%	1.76%	4.57%	0.51%	3.20%

Correlation

The correlation between BKLN and VRIG is 0.10, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.10
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.11
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.16
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 23, 2016	0.13

BKLN vs. VRIG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BKLN	VRIG
Technology	5.8%	0.4%
Consumer Cyclical	2.3%	3.0%
Financial Services	2.3%	23.3%
Real Estate	1.5%	0.3%
Industrials	0.8%	0.0%
Communication Services	0.8%	-
Healthcare	0.8%	-
Consumer Defensive	0.7%	0.7%
Basic Materials	-	0.8%
Energy	-	-
Utilities	-	0.1%

Return for Risk

BKLN vs. VRIG — Risk / Return Rank

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

BKLN

BKLN Risk / Return Rank: 50
BKLN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
BKLN Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
BKLN Omega Ratio Rank: 70
BKLN Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
BKLN Martin Ratio Rank: 39

VRIG

VRIG Risk / Return Rank: 99
VRIG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
VRIG Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
VRIG Omega Ratio Rank: 99
VRIG Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
VRIG 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.

BKLN vs. VRIG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco Senior Loan ETF (BKLN) and Invesco Variable Rate Investment Grade ETF (VRIG). 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	VRIG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.61	10.08	-8.48
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.37	24.37	-22.00
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	5.29	-3.91
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.44	62.49	-61.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.65	318.26	-312.61
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. VRIG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BKLN Sharpe Ratio is 1.61, which is lower than the VRIG Sharpe Ratio of 10.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BKLN and VRIG, 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	VRIG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.61	10.08	-8.48
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.14	3.46	-2.32
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.66	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.64	0.91	-0.27

Drawdowns

BKLN vs. VRIG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BKLN drawdown since its inception was -24.17%, which is greater than VRIG's maximum drawdown of -13.04%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BKLN and VRIG.

Drawdown Indicators

	BKLN	VRIG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.17%	-13.04%	-11.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.07%	-0.08%	-2.99%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.55%	-0.78%	-2.77%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-7.31%	-2.28%	-5.03%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-24.17%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.48%	0.00%	-0.48%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.09%	-0.27%	-0.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.78%	0.02%	+0.76%

Volatility

BKLN vs. VRIG - Volatility Comparison

Invesco Senior Loan ETF (BKLN) has a higher volatility of 0.44% compared to Invesco Variable Rate Investment Grade ETF (VRIG) at 0.11%. This indicates that BKLN's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VRIG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BKLN	VRIG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.44%	0.11%	+0.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.52%	0.36%	+2.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.75%	0.50%	+2.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.48%	1.29%	+3.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.43%	3.80%	+2.63%

BKLN vs. VRIG - Expense Ratio Comparison

BKLN has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than VRIG's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

BKLN vs. VRIG - Dividend Comparison

BKLN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.63%, more than VRIG's 4.79% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BKLN Invesco Senior Loan ETF	6.63%	6.95%	8.41%	8.59%	4.93%	3.11%	3.56%	4.86%	4.52%	3.50%	4.54%	4.12%
VRIG Invesco Variable Rate Investment Grade ETF	4.79%	4.99%	6.09%	5.97%	2.39%	0.78%	1.57%	3.12%	2.89%	2.31%	0.60%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BKLN and VRIG in my portfolio?

BKLN and VRIG have a correlation of 0.10, 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 VRIG?

BKLN has higher volatility (0.44%) compared to VRIG (0.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BKLN dropped -24.17% vs VRIG's -13.04%.

Which ETF is better, BKLN or VRIG?

On 5-year performance, BKLN leads with 5.09% vs 4.44% for VRIG. On fees, VRIG is cheaper at 0.30% per year. On volatility, VRIG has been the lower-risk option at 0.11%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BKLN or VRIG?

Over the 5-year period, BKLN has performed better with a 5.09% return vs 4.44%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BKLN or VRIG?

VRIG is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for BKLN.

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

BKLN has the higher dividend yield at 6.63%, compared with 4.79% for VRIG.

What is the main difference between BKLN and VRIG?

BKLN is categorized as Bank Loan, while VRIG is Ultrashort Bond. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for BKLN and 0.30% for VRIG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VRIG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (10.08 vs 1.61), 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.