BRTR vs. APHFX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BRTR (Blackrock Total Return ETF) and APHFX (Artisan High Income Fund Class I) are both funds - BRTR is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund actively managed by BlackRock, while APHFX is a High Yield Bonds fund actively managed by Artisan. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, BRTR returned 5.97% vs 5.70% for APHFX. At a 0.40 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BRTR charges 0.38%/yr vs 0.71%/yr for APHFX.

Performance

BRTR vs. APHFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Blackrock Total Return ETF (BRTR) and Artisan High Income Fund Class I (APHFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BRTR achieves a 0.40% return, which is significantly lower than APHFX's 0.99% return.

BRTR

• 1D: -0.20%
• 1M: 0.46%
• YTD: 0.40%
• 6M: 0.28%
• 1Y: 5.97%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

APHFX

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 0.61%
• YTD: 0.99%
• 6M: 1.71%
• 1Y: 5.70%
• 3Y*: 8.95%
• 5Y*: 3.82%
• 10Y*: —

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

BRTR vs. APHFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
BRTR Blackrock Total Return ETF	0.40%	8.11%	1.29%	0.43%
APHFX Artisan High Income Fund Class I	0.99%	8.43%	8.60%	2.60%

Correlation

The correlation between BRTR and APHFX is 0.47, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.47
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 15, 2023	0.40

Return for Risk

BRTR vs. APHFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BRTR

BRTR Risk / Return Rank: 42
BRTR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
BRTR Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
BRTR Omega Ratio Rank: 45
BRTR Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
BRTR Martin Ratio Rank: 36

APHFX

APHFX Risk / Return Rank: 53
APHFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
APHFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
APHFX Omega Ratio Rank: 71
APHFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
APHFX Martin Ratio Rank: 45

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.

BRTR vs. APHFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Blackrock Total Return ETF (BRTR) and Artisan High Income Fund Class I (APHFX). 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.

	BRTR	APHFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.63	1.88	-0.25
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.38	3.63	-1.24
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.47	-0.18
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.84	2.10	-0.26
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.57	9.45	-3.89
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BRTR vs. APHFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BRTR Sharpe Ratio is 1.63, which is comparable to the APHFX Sharpe Ratio of 1.88. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BRTR and APHFX, 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

	BRTR	APHFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.63	1.88	-0.25
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.78	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.88	1.09	-0.21

Drawdowns

BRTR vs. APHFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BRTR drawdown since its inception was -5.07%, smaller than the maximum APHFX drawdown of -21.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BRTR and APHFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BRTR	APHFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-5.07%	-21.51%	+16.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.26%	-2.74%	-0.52%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-3.29%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-14.80%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.69%	0.00%	-1.69%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.35%	-2.50%	+1.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.08%	0.61%	+0.47%

Volatility

BRTR vs. APHFX - Volatility Comparison

Blackrock Total Return ETF (BRTR) has a higher volatility of 1.28% compared to Artisan High Income Fund Class I (APHFX) at 0.90%. This indicates that BRTR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than APHFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BRTR	APHFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.28%	0.90%	+0.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.77%	2.47%	+0.30%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.68%	3.05%	+0.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.69%	4.91%	-0.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.69%	5.31%	-0.62%

BRTR vs. APHFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BRTR has a 0.38% expense ratio, which is lower than APHFX's 0.71% expense ratio.

Dividends

BRTR vs. APHFX - Dividend Comparison

BRTR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.73%, less than APHFX's 7.16% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
APHFX Artisan High Income Fund Class I	7.16%	6.96%	7.39%	5.56%	5.83%	5.50%	6.01%	6.44%	7.25%	7.96%
BRTR Blackrock Total Return ETF	4.73%	4.86%	5.58%	0.22%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BRTR and APHFX in my portfolio?

BRTR and APHFX have a correlation of 0.47, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BRTR or APHFX?

BRTR has higher volatility (1.28%) compared to APHFX (0.90%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BRTR dropped -5.07% vs APHFX's -21.51%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

APHFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.88 vs 1.63), 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.