BMED vs. LCTU

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

BMED (Future Health ETF) and LCTU (BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BMED is a Health & Biotech Equities fund actively managed by BlackRock, while LCTU is a ESG fund actively managed by BlackRock. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, BMED returned -0.08%/yr vs 12.48%/yr for LCTU. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BMED charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for LCTU.

Performance

BMED vs. LCTU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Future Health ETF (BMED) and BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF (LCTU). 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 LCTU's 9.58% return.

BMED

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

LCTU

• 1D: 0.50%
• 1M: 4.95%
• YTD: 9.58%
• 6M: 9.62%
• 1Y: 26.22%
• 3Y*: 21.43%
• 5Y*: 12.48%
• 10Y*: —

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

BMED vs. LCTU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
BMED Future Health ETF	-5.19%	21.79%	1.55%	5.70%	-19.69%	1.05%
LCTU BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF	9.58%	16.96%	24.00%	25.38%	-20.02%	17.49%

Correlation

The correlation between BMED and LCTU is 0.56, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.56
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.64
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 9, 2021	0.70

The correlation between BMED and LCTU shifts across timeframes, from 0.56 (1 year) to 0.71 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

BMED vs. LCTU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BMED	LCTU
Healthcare	100.0%	8.8%
Consumer Defensive	1.5%	4.9%
Basic Materials	-	1.9%
Communication Services	-	10.3%
Consumer Cyclical	-	10.3%
Energy	-	3.5%
Financial Services	-	12.1%
Industrials	-	8.7%
Real Estate	-	2.5%
Technology	-	34.6%
Utilities	-	2.5%

Return for Risk

BMED vs. LCTU — 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

LCTU

LCTU Risk / Return Rank: 64
LCTU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
LCTU Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
LCTU Omega Ratio Rank: 65
LCTU Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
LCTU Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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. LCTU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Future Health ETF (BMED) and BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF (LCTU). 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	LCTU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.16	2.14	-0.98
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.73	2.94	-1.21
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.38	-0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.19	2.81	-1.62
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.00	12.49	-9.49
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. LCTU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BMED Sharpe Ratio is 1.16, which is lower than the LCTU Sharpe Ratio of 2.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BMED and LCTU, 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	LCTU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.16	2.14	-0.98
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.00	0.73	-0.74
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.12	0.76	-0.64

Drawdowns

BMED vs. LCTU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BMED drawdown since its inception was -36.44%, which is greater than LCTU's maximum drawdown of -25.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BMED and LCTU.

Drawdown Indicators

	BMED	LCTU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.44%	-25.93%	-10.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.85%	-9.38%	-5.47%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.12%	-19.83%	-0.29%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.90%	-25.93%	-7.97%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-11.17%	-0.24%	-10.93%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.08%	-6.31%	-12.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.88%	2.11%	+3.77%

Volatility

BMED vs. LCTU - Volatility Comparison

Future Health ETF (BMED) has a higher volatility of 4.74% compared to BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF (LCTU) at 3.01%. This indicates that BMED's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than LCTU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BMED	LCTU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.74%	3.01%	+1.73%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.23%	9.36%	+1.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.23%	12.30%	+2.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.43%	17.15%	+0.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.77%	17.01%	+0.76%

BMED vs. LCTU - Expense Ratio Comparison

BMED has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than LCTU's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

BMED vs. LCTU - Dividend Comparison

BMED has not paid dividends to shareholders, while LCTU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.92%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
BMED Future Health ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.03%	0.00%	0.00%
LCTU BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF	0.92%	1.02%	1.27%	1.46%	1.63%	2.20%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BMED and LCTU in my portfolio?

BMED and LCTU have a correlation of 0.56, 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 LCTU?

BMED has higher volatility (4.74%) compared to LCTU (3.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BMED dropped -36.44% vs LCTU's -25.93%.

Which ETF is better, BMED or LCTU?

On 5-year performance, LCTU leads with 12.48% vs -0.08% for BMED. On fees, LCTU is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, LCTU has been the lower-risk option at 3.01%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BMED or LCTU?

Over the 5-year period, LCTU has performed better with a 12.48% return vs -0.08%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BMED or LCTU?

LCTU is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for BMED.

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

LCTU has the higher dividend yield at 0.92%, compared with 0.00% for BMED.

What is the main difference between BMED and LCTU?

BMED is categorized as Health & Biotech Equities, while LCTU is ESG. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for BMED and 0.15% for LCTU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LCTU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.14 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.