BMEAX vs. NML

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BMEAX (BlackRock High Equity Income Fund Class A) and NML (Neuberger Berman MLP) are both mutual funds - BMEAX is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by BlackRock, while NML is a MLPs fund actively managed by Neuberger Berman. Both are actively managed. Over the past 10 years, BMEAX returned 8.88%/yr vs 10.28%/yr for NML. At a 0.49 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BMEAX charges 1.10%/yr vs 2.72%/yr for NML.

Performance

BMEAX vs. NML - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock High Equity Income Fund Class A (BMEAX) and Neuberger Berman MLP (NML). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BMEAX achieves a 7.70% return, which is significantly lower than NML's 21.99% return. Over the past 10 years, BMEAX has underperformed NML with an annualized return of 8.88%, while NML has yielded a comparatively higher 10.28% annualized return.

BMEAX

• 1D: 0.57%
• 1M: 3.56%
• YTD: 7.70%
• 6M: 9.92%
• 1Y: 21.06%
• 3Y*: 12.59%
• 5Y*: 7.46%
• 10Y*: 8.88%

NML

• 1D: 0.50%
• 1M: -2.90%
• YTD: 21.99%
• 6M: 19.87%
• 1Y: 24.28%
• 3Y*: 26.24%
• 5Y*: 23.53%
• 10Y*: 10.28%

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

BMEAX vs. NML - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BMEAX BlackRock High Equity Income Fund Class A	7.70%	16.81%	6.18%	8.54%	-3.59%	22.11%	-1.75%	21.68%	-6.50%	15.85%
NML Neuberger Berman MLP	21.99%	4.36%	40.55%	14.61%	32.75%	61.76%	-45.84%	10.60%	-23.02%	7.07%

Correlation

The correlation between BMEAX and NML is 0.15, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.15
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.39
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.53
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 27, 2013	0.49

Over the past year, the correlation between BMEAX and NML has dropped to 0.15 - well below their long-term average of 0.49, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

BMEAX vs. NML — Risk / Return Rank

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

BMEAX

BMEAX Risk / Return Rank: 47
BMEAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
BMEAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
BMEAX Omega Ratio Rank: 48
BMEAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
BMEAX Martin Ratio Rank: 48

NML

NML Risk / Return Rank: 29
NML Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
NML Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
NML Omega Ratio Rank: 23
NML Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
NML Martin Ratio Rank: 31

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.

BMEAX vs. NML - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock High Equity Income Fund Class A (BMEAX) and Neuberger Berman MLP (NML). 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.

	BMEAX	NML	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.07	1.45	+0.62
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.01	1.99	+1.02
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.25	+0.13
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.33	2.52	-0.19
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.92	7.21	+2.71
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BMEAX vs. NML - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BMEAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.07, which is higher than the NML Sharpe Ratio of 1.45. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BMEAX and NML, 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

	BMEAX	NML	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.07	1.45	+0.62
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56	0.99	-0.43
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57	0.29	+0.27
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.55	0.07	+0.49

Drawdowns

BMEAX vs. NML - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BMEAX drawdown since its inception was -73.05%, smaller than the maximum NML drawdown of -90.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BMEAX and NML.

Drawdown Indicators

	BMEAX	NML	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-73.05%	-90.48%	+17.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.56%	-9.67%	+0.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.79%	-16.92%	+3.13%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.32%	-21.40%	+2.08%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.27%	-84.84%	+46.57%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-5.10%	+5.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.67%	-37.09%	+17.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.24%	3.38%	-1.14%

Volatility

BMEAX vs. NML - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for BlackRock High Equity Income Fund Class A (BMEAX) is 2.78%, while Neuberger Berman MLP (NML) has a volatility of 6.64%. This indicates that BMEAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NML based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BMEAX	NML	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.78%	6.64%	-3.86%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.37%	13.50%	-5.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.78%	17.00%	-6.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.42%	23.94%	-10.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.74%	35.15%	-19.41%

BMEAX vs. NML - Expense Ratio Comparison

BMEAX has a 1.10% expense ratio, which is lower than NML's 2.72% expense ratio.

Dividends

BMEAX vs. NML - Dividend Comparison

BMEAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.48%, more than NML's 7.21% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BMEAX BlackRock High Equity Income Fund Class A	7.48%	7.62%	6.10%	5.45%	5.70%	6.46%	4.52%	4.46%	10.86%	58.18%	6.05%	8.93%
NML Neuberger Berman MLP	7.21%	8.24%	7.94%	10.19%	4.26%	3.54%	8.33%	9.76%	9.87%	7.04%	8.63%	15.44%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BMEAX and NML in my portfolio?

BMEAX and NML have a correlation of 0.15, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BMEAX or NML?

NML has higher volatility (6.64%) compared to BMEAX (2.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BMEAX dropped -73.05% vs NML's -90.48%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BMEAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.07 vs 1.45), 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.