BTSIX vs. BTFAX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

BTSIX (BTS Managed Income Fund) and BTFAX (BTS Tactical Fixed Income Fund) are both Nontraditional Bonds funds from BTS. Over the past 5 years, BTSIX returned 0.57%/yr vs -1.78%/yr for BTFAX. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BTSIX charges 1.50%/yr vs 1.65%/yr for BTFAX.

Performance

BTSIX vs. BTFAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BTS Managed Income Fund (BTSIX) and BTS Tactical Fixed Income Fund (BTFAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BTSIX achieves a 1.40% return, which is significantly higher than BTFAX's -1.18% return.

BTSIX

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: 0.10%
• YTD: 1.40%
• 6M: 1.88%
• 1Y: 6.49%
• 3Y*: 5.18%
• 5Y*: 0.57%
• 10Y*: —

BTFAX

• 1D: -0.13%
• 1M: -0.00%
• YTD: -1.18%
• 6M: -0.79%
• 1Y: 2.82%
• 3Y*: 2.79%
• 5Y*: -1.78%
• 10Y*: -0.50%

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

BTSIX vs. BTFAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
BTSIX BTS Managed Income Fund	1.40%	5.68%	4.37%	5.65%	-12.34%	-1.14%	8.63%	4.06%
BTFAX BTS Tactical Fixed Income Fund	-1.18%	2.96%	3.52%	2.12%	-12.82%	-2.18%	1.43%	4.30%

Correlation

The correlation between BTSIX and BTFAX is 0.81, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2019	0.72

The correlation between BTSIX and BTFAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.72 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BTSIX vs. BTFAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BTSIX

BTSIX Risk / Return Rank: 44
BTSIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
BTSIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
BTSIX Omega Ratio Rank: 43
BTSIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
BTSIX Martin Ratio Rank: 49

BTFAX

BTFAX Risk / Return Rank: 9
BTFAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
BTFAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
BTFAX Omega Ratio Rank: 10
BTFAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
BTFAX Martin Ratio Rank: 8

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.

BTSIX vs. BTFAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BTS Managed Income Fund (BTSIX) and BTS Tactical Fixed Income Fund (BTFAX). 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.

	BTSIX	BTFAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.87	0.78	+1.09
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.77	1.10	+1.67
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.15	+0.21
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.56	1.04	+1.52
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.12	2.56	+7.57
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BTSIX vs. BTFAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BTSIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.87, which is higher than the BTFAX Sharpe Ratio of 0.78. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BTSIX and BTFAX, 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

	BTSIX	BTFAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.87	0.78	+1.09
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.11	-0.33	+0.44
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	-0.10	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	0.10	+0.28

Drawdowns

BTSIX vs. BTFAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BTSIX drawdown since its inception was -16.28%, smaller than the maximum BTFAX drawdown of -19.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BTSIX and BTFAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BTSIX	BTFAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.28%	-19.78%	+3.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.57%	-2.84%	+0.27%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.22%	-4.89%	-1.33%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.28%	-18.49%	+2.21%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-19.78%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.37%	-10.97%	+10.60%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.64%	-6.27%	+1.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.65%	1.15%	-0.50%

Volatility

BTSIX vs. BTFAX - Volatility Comparison

BTS Managed Income Fund (BTSIX) has a higher volatility of 0.95% compared to BTS Tactical Fixed Income Fund (BTFAX) at 0.67%. This indicates that BTSIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BTFAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BTSIX	BTFAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.95%	0.67%	+0.28%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.60%	2.32%	+0.28%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.49%	3.64%	-0.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.24%	5.46%	-0.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.25%	4.91%	+0.34%

BTSIX vs. BTFAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BTSIX has a 1.50% expense ratio, which is lower than BTFAX's 1.65% expense ratio.

Dividends

BTSIX vs. BTFAX - Dividend Comparison

BTSIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.59%, more than BTFAX's 4.32% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BTFAX BTS Tactical Fixed Income Fund	4.32%	4.39%	2.71%	3.52%	2.11%	1.69%	0.68%	3.17%	3.38%	2.67%	4.89%	0.87%
BTSIX BTS Managed Income Fund	5.59%	5.62%	2.59%	2.51%	2.59%	1.37%	1.34%	2.01%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BTSIX and BTFAX in my portfolio?

BTSIX and BTFAX have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BTSIX or BTFAX?

BTSIX has higher volatility (0.95%) compared to BTFAX (0.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BTSIX dropped -16.28% vs BTFAX's -19.78%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BTSIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.87 vs 0.78), 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.