BKSE vs. ACSG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BKSE (BNY Mellon US Small Cap Core Equity ETF) and ACSG (American Century Small Cap Growth Insights ETF) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. BKSE is passively managed, while ACSG is actively managed. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BKSE charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for ACSG.

Performance

BKSE vs. ACSG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BNY Mellon US Small Cap Core Equity ETF (BKSE) and American Century Small Cap Growth Insights ETF (ACSG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BKSE achieves a 13.03% return, which is significantly lower than ACSG's 14.57% return.

BKSE

• 1D: -1.11%
• 1M: 2.60%
• YTD: 13.03%
• 6M: 12.11%
• 1Y: 32.65%
• 3Y*: 17.40%
• 5Y*: 6.89%
• 10Y*: —

ACSG

• 1D: -0.94%
• 1M: 3.71%
• YTD: 14.57%
• 6M: 13.45%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BKSE vs. ACSG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
BKSE BNY Mellon US Small Cap Core Equity ETF	13.03%	2.47%
ACSG American Century Small Cap Growth Insights ETF	14.57%	1.17%

Correlation

The correlation between BKSE and ACSG is 0.92, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 17, 2025	0.92

BKSE vs. ACSG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BKSE	ACSG
Technology	16.8%	22.0%
Financial Services	16.4%	7.6%
Industrials	15.4%	23.4%
Consumer Cyclical	13.3%	9.1%
Healthcare	11.4%	22.7%
Energy	7.0%	3.1%
Real Estate	6.6%	2.2%
Basic Materials	4.5%	3.9%
Utilities	3.4%	1.7%
Consumer Defensive	3.2%	2.0%
Communication Services	2.2%	2.2%

Return for Risk

BKSE vs. ACSG — Risk / Return Rank

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

BKSE

BKSE Risk / Return Rank: 60
BKSE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
BKSE Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
BKSE Omega Ratio Rank: 50
BKSE Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
BKSE Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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.

BKSE vs. ACSG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BNY Mellon US Small Cap Core Equity ETF (BKSE) and American Century Small Cap Growth Insights ETF (ACSG). 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.

	BKSE	ACSG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.87	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.71	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.49	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.15	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BKSE	ACSG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.87	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.32	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.73	1.22	-0.48

Drawdowns

BKSE vs. ACSG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BKSE drawdown since its inception was -29.08%, which is greater than ACSG's maximum drawdown of -13.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BKSE and ACSG.

Drawdown Indicators

	BKSE	ACSG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.08%	-13.28%	-15.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.40%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.76%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.08%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.11%	-1.29%	+0.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.06%	-3.02%	-6.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.69%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	BKSE	ACSG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.47%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.96%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.63%	22.08%	-4.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.43%	22.08%	-0.65%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.30%	22.08%	+0.22%

BKSE vs. ACSG - Expense Ratio Comparison

BKSE has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than ACSG's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

BKSE vs. ACSG - Dividend Comparison

BKSE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.16%, while ACSG has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
ACSG American Century Small Cap Growth Insights ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
BKSE BNY Mellon US Small Cap Core Equity ETF	1.16%	1.26%	1.55%	1.38%	1.50%	1.17%	0.82%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BKSE and ACSG in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, BKSE and ACSG move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which ETF is better, BKSE or ACSG?

On fees, BKSE is cheaper at 0.04% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, BKSE or ACSG?

BKSE is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for ACSG.

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

BKSE has the higher dividend yield at 1.16%, compared with 0.00% for ACSG.

What is the main difference between BKSE and ACSG?

They also come from different issuers: BNY Mellon and American Century. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for BKSE and 0.49% for ACSG.