BRLN vs. BMED

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

BRLN (BlackRock Floating Rate Loan ETF) and BMED (Future Health ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BRLN is a Bank Loan fund actively managed by BlackRock, while BMED is a Health & Biotech Equities fund actively managed by BlackRock. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, BRLN returned 6.50%/yr vs 8.90%/yr for BMED. Their 0.12 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. BRLN charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for BMED.

Performance

BRLN vs. BMED - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock Floating Rate Loan ETF (BRLN) and Future Health ETF (BMED). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BRLN achieves a 1.35% return, which is significantly lower than BMED's 2.13% return.

BRLN

• 1D: 0.31%
• 1M: 0.51%
• 6M: 1.60%
• YTD: 1.35%
• 1Y: 3.03%
• 3Y*: 6.50%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 7.61%

BMED

• 1D: -0.36%
• 1M: -2.10%
• 6M: -1.11%
• YTD: 2.13%
• 1Y: 25.01%
• 3Y*: 8.90%
• 5Y*: 0.33%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 3.34%

*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)
BMED Future Health ETF	$43.65K	$67.75K	$63.60K
BRLN BlackRock Floating Rate Loan ETF	$262.31K	$209.25K	$308.57K

BRLN vs. BMED - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
BRLN BlackRock Floating Rate Loan ETF	1.35%	5.38%	7.49%	13.42%	1.66%
BMED Future Health ETF	2.13%	21.79%	1.55%	5.70%	5.69%

Correlation

The correlation between BRLN and BMED is -0.04, meaning there was essentially no consistent relationship between their historical price movements. Each responded to its own set of market drivers.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	-0.05
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.13
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 6, 2022	0.12

The correlation between BRLN and BMED shifts across timeframes, from -0.04 (1 year) to 0.13 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BRLN vs. BMED — Risk / Return Rank

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

BRLN

BRLN Risk / Return Rank: 39
BRLN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
BRLN Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
BRLN Omega Ratio Rank: 35
BRLN Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
BRLN Martin Ratio Rank: 45

BMED

BMED Risk / Return Rank: 55
BMED Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
BMED Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
BMED Omega Ratio Rank: 60
BMED Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
BMED Martin Ratio Rank: 37

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.

BRLN vs. BMED - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock Floating Rate Loan ETF (BRLN) and Future Health ETF (BMED). 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.

	BRLN	BMED	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.93	1.59	-0.66
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.33	2.37	-1.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.27	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.52	1.69	-0.17
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.25	3.89	+1.35

BRLN vs. BMED - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BRLN Sharpe Ratio is 0.93, which is lower than the BMED Sharpe Ratio of 1.59. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BRLN and BMED, 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

BRLN vs. BMED - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BRLN drawdown since its inception was -3.85%, smaller than the maximum BMED drawdown of -36.44%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BRLN and BMED.

Drawdown Indicators

	BRLN	BMED	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.85%	-36.44%	+32.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.00%	-14.85%	+12.85%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.85%	-20.12%	+16.27%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-33.90%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.50%	-4.31%	+3.81%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.33%	-18.74%	+18.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.58%	6.44%	-5.86%

Volatility

BRLN vs. BMED - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for BlackRock Floating Rate Loan ETF (BRLN) is 1.24%, while Future Health ETF (BMED) has a volatility of 4.54%. This indicates that BRLN experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BMED based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BRLN	BMED	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.24%	4.54%	-3.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.79%	12.12%	-9.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.30%	15.84%	-12.54%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.78%	17.56%	-13.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.78%	17.76%	-13.98%

BRLN vs. BMED - Expense Ratio Comparison

BRLN has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is lower than BMED's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

BRLN vs. BMED - Dividend Comparison

BRLN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.24%, more than BMED's 0.26% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
BMED Future Health ETF	0.26%	0.00%	0.00%	0.03%	0.00%
BRLN BlackRock Floating Rate Loan ETF	6.24%	6.50%	7.87%	9.06%	1.48%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BRLN and BMED in my portfolio?

BRLN and BMED have a correlation of -0.04, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BRLN or BMED?

BMED has higher volatility (4.54%) compared to BRLN (1.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BRLN dropped -3.85% vs BMED's -36.44%.

Which ETF is better, BRLN or BMED?

On 3-year performance, BMED leads with 8.90% vs 6.50% for BRLN. On fees, BRLN is cheaper at 0.55% per year. On volatility, BRLN has been the lower-risk option at 1.24%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BRLN or BMED?

Over the 3-year period, BMED has performed better with a 8.90% return vs 6.50%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BRLN or BMED?

BRLN is cheaper with a 0.55% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for BMED.

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

BRLN has the higher dividend yield at 6.24%, compared with 0.26% for BMED.

What is the main difference between BRLN and BMED?

BRLN is categorized as Bank Loan, while BMED is Health & Biotech Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for BRLN and 0.85% for BMED.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BMED currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.59 vs 0.93), 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.