BLCN vs. RAFE

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

BLCN (Siren ETF Trust Siren Nasdaq NexGen Economy ETF) and RAFE (PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - BLCN tracks the Siren NASDAQ Blockchain Economy Index while RAFE tracks the RAFI ESG US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, BLCN returned -10.83%/yr vs 11.73%/yr for RAFE. Their 0.57 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. BLCN charges 0.68%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for RAFE.

Performance

BLCN vs. RAFE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Siren ETF Trust Siren Nasdaq NexGen Economy ETF (BLCN) and PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF (RAFE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BLCN achieves a 1.35% return, which is significantly lower than RAFE's 17.29% return.

BLCN

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.16%
• 6M: 2.03%
• YTD: 1.35%
• 1Y: 5.44%
• 3Y*: 2.06%
• 5Y*: -10.83%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 1.13%

RAFE

• 1D: 0.52%
• 1M: 1.64%
• 6M: 14.11%
• YTD: 17.29%
• 1Y: 32.43%
• 3Y*: 19.17%
• 5Y*: 11.73%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 12.75%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
RAFE PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF	$455.18K	$476.38K	$608.93K

BLCN vs. RAFE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
BLCN Siren ETF Trust Siren Nasdaq NexGen Economy ETF	1.35%	-3.69%	5.62%	21.09%	-51.76%	4.86%	60.60%	0.06%
RAFE PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF	17.29%	17.60%	13.81%	18.80%	-13.76%	30.16%	5.29%	0.43%

Correlation

The correlation between BLCN and RAFE is 0.39, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.39
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.44
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.55
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 19, 2019	0.57

The correlation between BLCN and RAFE shifts across timeframes, from 0.39 (1 year) to 0.57 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BLCN vs. RAFE — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

BLCN

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

RAFE

RAFE Risk / Return Rank: 94
RAFE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
RAFE Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
RAFE Omega Ratio Rank: 94
RAFE Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
RAFE Martin Ratio Rank: 93

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

BLCN vs. RAFE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Siren ETF Trust Siren Nasdaq NexGen Economy ETF (BLCN) and PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF (RAFE). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	BLCN	RAFE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.02	2.87	-2.85
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.30	3.96	-3.66
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.04	1.51	-0.48
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.03	4.37	-4.34
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.05	17.37	-17.31

BLCN vs. RAFE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BLCN Sharpe Ratio is 0.02, which is lower than the RAFE Sharpe Ratio of 2.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BLCN and RAFE, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

BLCN vs. RAFE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BLCN drawdown since its inception was -67.51%, which is greater than RAFE's maximum drawdown of -35.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BLCN and RAFE.

Drawdown Indicators

	BLCN	RAFE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-67.51%	-35.74%	-31.77%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-29.53%	-7.46%	-22.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-45.26%	-16.36%	-28.90%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-67.51%	-24.28%	-43.23%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-50.81%	-0.45%	-50.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-30.52%	-6.08%	-24.44%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	14.43%	1.87%	+12.56%

Volatility

BLCN vs. RAFE - Volatility Comparison

Siren ETF Trust Siren Nasdaq NexGen Economy ETF (BLCN) has a higher volatility of 9.60% compared to PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF (RAFE) at 2.99%. This indicates that BLCN's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than RAFE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BLCN	RAFE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.60%	2.99%	+6.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	28.35%	8.71%	+19.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	37.43%	11.39%	+26.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	35.38%	15.05%	+20.33%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.34%	19.27%	+12.07%

BLCN vs. RAFE - Expense Ratio Comparison

BLCN has a 0.68% expense ratio, which is higher than RAFE's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

BLCN vs. RAFE - Dividend Comparison

BLCN has not paid dividends to shareholders, while RAFE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.47%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
BLCN Siren ETF Trust Siren Nasdaq NexGen Economy ETF	2.85%	3.01%	0.67%	0.54%	1.28%	0.56%	0.58%	1.45%	1.16%
RAFE PIMCO RAFI ESG U.S. ETF	1.47%	1.67%	1.79%	1.81%	2.22%	1.42%	2.36%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BLCN and RAFE in my portfolio?

BLCN and RAFE have a correlation of 0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BLCN or RAFE?

BLCN has higher volatility (9.60%) compared to RAFE (2.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BLCN dropped -67.51% vs RAFE's -35.74%.

Which ETF is better, BLCN or RAFE?

On 5-year performance, RAFE leads with 11.73% vs -10.83% for BLCN. On fees, RAFE is cheaper at 0.30% per year. On volatility, RAFE has been the lower-risk option at 2.99%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BLCN or RAFE?

Over the 5-year period, RAFE has performed better with a 11.73% return vs -10.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BLCN or RAFE?

RAFE is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.68% for BLCN.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BLCN or RAFE?

BLCN has the higher dividend yield at 2.85%, compared with 1.47% for RAFE.

What is the main difference between BLCN and RAFE?

BLCN tracks Siren NASDAQ Blockchain Economy Index, while RAFE tracks RAFI ESG US Index. They also come from different issuers: SRN Advisors and PIMCO. Their fees differ too: 0.68% for BLCN and 0.30% for RAFE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RAFE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.87 vs 0.02), 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.