BMED vs. BRTR

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

BMED (Future Health ETF) and BRTR (Blackrock Total Return ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BMED is a Health & Biotech Equities fund actively managed by BlackRock, while BRTR is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund actively managed by BlackRock. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, BMED returned 17.59% vs 5.46% for BRTR. At a 0.32 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BMED charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for BRTR.

Performance

BMED vs. BRTR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Future Health ETF (BMED) and Blackrock Total Return ETF (BRTR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BMED achieves a -5.19% return, which is significantly lower than BRTR's 0.51% return.

BMED

• 1D: 1.98%
• 1M: 2.19%
• YTD: -5.19%
• 6M: -5.93%
• 1Y: 17.59%
• 3Y*: 5.91%
• 5Y*: -0.08%
• 10Y*: —

BRTR

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 0.39%
• YTD: 0.51%
• 6M: 0.61%
• 1Y: 5.46%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BMED vs. BRTR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
BMED Future Health ETF	-5.19%	21.79%	1.55%	2.14%
BRTR Blackrock Total Return ETF	0.51%	8.11%	1.29%	0.43%

Correlation

The correlation between BMED and BRTR is 0.36, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.36
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 15, 2023	0.32

BMED vs. BRTR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BMED	BRTR
Healthcare	100.0%	-
Consumer Defensive	1.5%	-
Basic Materials	-	8.7%
Communication Services	-	23.8%
Consumer Cyclical	-	7.6%
Energy	-	25.1%
Financial Services	-	22.7%
Industrials	-	1.5%
Real Estate	-	2.2%
Technology	-	6.7%
Utilities	-	1.8%

Return for Risk

BMED vs. BRTR — Risk / Return Rank

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

BMED

BMED Risk / Return Rank: 29
BMED Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
BMED Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
BMED Omega Ratio Rank: 31
BMED Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
BMED Martin Ratio Rank: 24

BRTR

BRTR Risk / Return Rank: 40
BRTR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
BRTR Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
BRTR Omega Ratio Rank: 42
BRTR Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
BRTR Martin Ratio Rank: 34

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.

BMED vs. BRTR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Future Health ETF (BMED) and Blackrock Total Return ETF (BRTR). 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.

	BMED	BRTR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.16	1.51	-0.35
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.73	2.19	-0.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.27	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.19	1.68	-0.49
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.00	5.07	-2.07
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BMED vs. BRTR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BMED Sharpe Ratio is 1.16, which is comparable to the BRTR Sharpe Ratio of 1.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BMED and BRTR, 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

	BMED	BRTR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.16	1.51	-0.35
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.00	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.12	0.89	-0.77

Drawdowns

BMED vs. BRTR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BMED drawdown since its inception was -36.44%, which is greater than BRTR's maximum drawdown of -5.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BMED and BRTR.

Drawdown Indicators

	BMED	BRTR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.44%	-5.07%	-31.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.85%	-3.26%	-11.59%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.12%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.90%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-11.17%	-1.58%	-9.59%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.08%	-1.35%	-17.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.88%	1.08%	+4.80%

Volatility

BMED vs. BRTR - Volatility Comparison

Future Health ETF (BMED) has a higher volatility of 4.74% compared to Blackrock Total Return ETF (BRTR) at 1.27%. This indicates that BMED's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BRTR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BMED	BRTR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.74%	1.27%	+3.47%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.23%	2.77%	+8.46%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.23%	3.68%	+11.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.43%	4.69%	+12.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.77%	4.69%	+13.08%

BMED vs. BRTR - Expense Ratio Comparison

BMED has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than BRTR's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

BMED vs. BRTR - Dividend Comparison

BMED has not paid dividends to shareholders, while BRTR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.72%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
BMED Future Health ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.03%
BRTR Blackrock Total Return ETF	4.72%	4.86%	5.58%	0.22%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BMED and BRTR in my portfolio?

BMED and BRTR have a correlation of 0.36, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BMED or BRTR?

BMED has higher volatility (4.74%) compared to BRTR (1.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BMED dropped -36.44% vs BRTR's -5.07%.

Which ETF is better, BMED or BRTR?

On 1-year performance, BMED leads with 17.59% vs 5.46% for BRTR. On fees, BRTR is cheaper at 0.38% per year. On volatility, BRTR has been the lower-risk option at 1.27%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BMED or BRTR?

Over the 1-year period, BMED has performed better with a 17.59% return vs 5.46%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BMED or BRTR?

BRTR is cheaper with a 0.38% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for BMED.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BMED or BRTR?

BRTR has the higher dividend yield at 4.72%, compared with 0.00% for BMED.

What is the main difference between BMED and BRTR?

BMED is categorized as Health & Biotech Equities, while BRTR is Intermediate Core-Plus Bond. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for BMED and 0.38% for BRTR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BRTR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.51 vs 1.16), 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.