BRLN vs. SAMFX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BRLN (BlackRock Floating Rate Loan ETF) and SAMFX (Virtus Seix Total Return Bond Fund) are both funds - BRLN is a Bank Loan fund actively managed by BlackRock, while SAMFX is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund managed by Virtus. Over the past 3 years, BRLN returned 7.36%/yr vs 3.18%/yr for SAMFX. At a 0.10 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BRLN charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.46%/yr for SAMFX.

Performance

BRLN vs. SAMFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock Floating Rate Loan ETF (BRLN) and Virtus Seix Total Return Bond Fund (SAMFX). 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 higher than SAMFX's 0.35% return.

BRLN

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: 0.94%
• YTD: 1.35%
• 6M: 2.23%
• 1Y: 5.10%
• 3Y*: 7.36%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SAMFX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.52%
• YTD: 0.35%
• 6M: 0.28%
• 1Y: 5.29%
• 3Y*: 3.18%
• 5Y*: -0.32%
• 10Y*: 1.36%

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

BRLN vs. SAMFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
BRLN BlackRock Floating Rate Loan ETF	1.35%	5.38%	7.49%	13.42%	2.13%
SAMFX Virtus Seix Total Return Bond Fund	0.35%	6.87%	0.43%	4.35%	1.05%

Correlation

The correlation between BRLN and SAMFX is -0.03, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.03
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.08
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 7, 2022	0.10

The correlation between BRLN and SAMFX shifts across timeframes, from -0.03 (1 year) to 0.10 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BRLN vs. SAMFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BRLN

BRLN Risk / Return Rank: 52
BRLN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
BRLN Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
BRLN Omega Ratio Rank: 51
BRLN Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
BRLN Martin Ratio Rank: 57

SAMFX

SAMFX Risk / Return Rank: 21
SAMFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
SAMFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
SAMFX Omega Ratio Rank: 20
SAMFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
SAMFX Martin Ratio Rank: 20

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.

BRLN vs. SAMFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock Floating Rate Loan ETF (BRLN) and Virtus Seix Total Return Bond Fund (SAMFX). 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.

	BRLN	SAMFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.68	1.32	+0.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.60	1.96	+0.64
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.24	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.56	1.68	+0.88
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.95	5.31	+4.64
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BRLN vs. SAMFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BRLN Sharpe Ratio is 1.68, which is comparable to the SAMFX Sharpe Ratio of 1.32. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BRLN and SAMFX, 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

	BRLN	SAMFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.68	1.32	+0.36
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	-0.06	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.28	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.19	0.57	+1.61

Drawdowns

BRLN vs. SAMFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BRLN drawdown since its inception was -3.85%, smaller than the maximum SAMFX drawdown of -18.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BRLN and SAMFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BRLN	SAMFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.85%	-18.72%	+14.87%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.00%	-3.09%	+1.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.85%	-6.48%	+2.63%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-17.95%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-18.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.21%	-4.85%	+4.64%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.31%	-3.51%	+3.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.51%	0.98%	-0.47%

Volatility

BRLN vs. SAMFX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for BlackRock Floating Rate Loan ETF (BRLN) is 0.81%, while Virtus Seix Total Return Bond Fund (SAMFX) has a volatility of 1.47%. This indicates that BRLN experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SAMFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BRLN	SAMFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.81%	1.47%	-0.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.24%	2.83%	-0.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.06%	3.95%	-0.89%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.73%	5.87%	-2.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.73%	4.89%	-1.16%

BRLN vs. SAMFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BRLN has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than SAMFX's 0.46% expense ratio.

Dividends

BRLN vs. SAMFX - Dividend Comparison

BRLN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.35%, more than SAMFX's 4.21% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BRLN BlackRock Floating Rate Loan ETF	6.35%	6.50%	7.87%	9.06%	1.48%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SAMFX Virtus Seix Total Return Bond Fund	4.21%	4.25%	3.57%	3.16%	3.33%	1.09%	1.99%	1.95%	2.09%	2.36%	3.59%	2.12%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BRLN and SAMFX in my portfolio?

BRLN and SAMFX have a correlation of -0.03, 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 SAMFX?

SAMFX has higher volatility (1.47%) compared to BRLN (0.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BRLN dropped -3.85% vs SAMFX's -18.72%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BRLN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.68 vs 1.32), 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.