BPAY vs. BRTR

Last updated Jul 18, 2026

BPAY (BlackRock Future Financial and Technology ETF) and BRTR (Blackrock Total Return ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BPAY is a Financials 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, BPAY returned -16.59% vs 4.77% for BRTR. At a 0.23 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BPAY charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for BRTR.

Performance

BPAY vs. BRTR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock Future Financial and Technology ETF (BPAY) 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, BPAY achieves a -2.83% return, which is significantly lower than BRTR's 0.43% return.

BPAY

• 1D: -1.90%
• 1M: 6.84%
• 6M: -2.96%
• YTD: -2.83%
• 1Y: -16.59%
• 3Y*: 8.85%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BRTR

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: -0.14%
• 6M: 0.14%
• YTD: 0.43%
• 1Y: 4.77%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BPAY vs. BRTR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
BPAY BlackRock Future Financial and Technology ETF	-2.83%	8.54%	17.28%	3.56%
BRTR Blackrock Total Return ETF	0.43%	8.11%	1.29%	0.68%

Correlation

The correlation between BPAY and BRTR is 0.31, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.31
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 14, 2023	0.23

Return for Risk

BPAY vs. BRTR — Risk / Return Rank

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

BPAY

BPAY Risk / Return Rank: 5
BPAY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
BPAY Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
BPAY Omega Ratio Rank: 5
BPAY Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
BPAY Martin Ratio Rank: 5

BRTR

BRTR Risk / Return Rank: 41
BRTR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
BRTR Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
BRTR Omega Ratio Rank: 44
BRTR Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
BRTR Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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.

BPAY vs. BRTR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock Future Financial and Technology ETF (BPAY) 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.

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.

	BPAY	BRTR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.64	1.31	-1.95
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.75	1.89	-2.65
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.91	1.23	-0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.50	1.47	-1.96
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.90	4.03	-4.93

BPAY vs. BRTR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BPAY Sharpe Ratio is -0.64, which is lower than the BRTR Sharpe Ratio of 1.31. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BPAY 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.

Drawdowns

BPAY vs. BRTR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BPAY drawdown since its inception was -33.62%, which is greater than BRTR's maximum drawdown of -5.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BPAY and BRTR.

Drawdown Indicators

	BPAY	BRTR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.62%	-5.07%	-28.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-33.62%	-3.26%	-30.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-33.62%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-17.91%	-1.65%	-16.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.85%	-1.36%	-9.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	18.51%	1.19%	+17.32%

Volatility

BPAY vs. BRTR - Volatility Comparison

BlackRock Future Financial and Technology ETF (BPAY) has a higher volatility of 7.17% compared to Blackrock Total Return ETF (BRTR) at 1.05%. This indicates that BPAY'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

	BPAY	BRTR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.17%	1.05%	+6.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.31%	2.92%	+17.39%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.07%	3.67%	+22.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.50%	4.65%	+19.85%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.50%	4.65%	+19.85%

BPAY vs. BRTR - Expense Ratio Comparison

BPAY has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than BRTR's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

BPAY vs. BRTR - Dividend Comparison

BPAY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.97%, more than BRTR's 4.71% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
BPAY BlackRock Future Financial and Technology ETF	6.97%	6.49%	0.48%	1.18%	0.18%
BRTR Blackrock Total Return ETF	4.71%	4.86%	5.58%	0.22%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BPAY and BRTR in my portfolio?

BPAY and BRTR have a correlation of 0.31, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BPAY or BRTR?

BPAY has higher volatility (7.17%) compared to BRTR (1.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BPAY dropped -33.62% vs BRTR's -5.07%.

Which ETF is better, BPAY or BRTR?

On 1-year performance, BRTR leads with 4.77% vs -16.59% for BPAY. On fees, BRTR is cheaper at 0.38% per year. On volatility, BRTR has been the lower-risk option at 1.05%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BPAY or BRTR?

Over the 1-year period, BRTR has performed better with a 4.77% return vs -16.59%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BPAY or BRTR?

BRTR is cheaper with a 0.38% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for BPAY.

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

BPAY has the higher dividend yield at 6.97%, compared with 4.71% for BRTR.

What is the main difference between BPAY and BRTR?

BPAY is categorized as Financials Equities, while BRTR is Intermediate Core-Plus Bond. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for BPAY and 0.38% for BRTR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BRTR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.31 vs -0.64), 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.