FLBL vs. BAMU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FLBL (Franklin Liberty Senior Loan ETF) and BAMU (Brookstone Ultra-Short Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FLBL is a High Yield Bonds fund actively managed by Franklin Templeton, while BAMU is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by Brookstone. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, FLBL returned 2.39% vs 2.93% for BAMU. At a correlation of -0.06, they often move in opposite directions. FLBL charges 0.45%/yr vs 1.09%/yr for BAMU.

Performance

FLBL vs. BAMU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Franklin Liberty Senior Loan ETF (FLBL) and Brookstone Ultra-Short Bond ETF (BAMU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FLBL achieves a 0.91% return, which is significantly lower than BAMU's 1.06% return.

FLBL

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.45%
• YTD: 0.91%
• 6M: 0.70%
• 1Y: 2.39%
• 3Y*: 7.36%
• 5Y*: 5.21%
• 10Y*: —

BAMU

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.20%
• YTD: 1.06%
• 6M: 1.25%
• 1Y: 2.93%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

FLBL vs. BAMU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
FLBL Franklin Liberty Senior Loan ETF	0.91%	3.59%	8.26%	3.94%
BAMU Brookstone Ultra-Short Bond ETF	1.06%	3.21%	4.14%	1.20%

Correlation

The correlation between FLBL and BAMU is -0.17, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.17
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 28, 2023	-0.06

The correlation between FLBL and BAMU shifts across timeframes, from -0.17 (1 year) to -0.06 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FLBL vs. BAMU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FLBL	BAMU
Financial Services	2.5%	98.8%
Consumer Cyclical	0.6%	-
Healthcare	0.2%	-
Industrials	0.1%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

FLBL vs. BAMU — Risk / Return Rank

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

FLBL

FLBL Risk / Return Rank: 23
FLBL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
FLBL Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
FLBL Omega Ratio Rank: 26
FLBL Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
FLBL Martin Ratio Rank: 21

BAMU

BAMU Risk / Return Rank: 98
BAMU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
BAMU Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
BAMU Omega Ratio Rank: 98
BAMU Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
BAMU Martin Ratio Rank: 99

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.

FLBL vs. BAMU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin Liberty Senior Loan ETF (FLBL) and Brookstone Ultra-Short Bond ETF (BAMU). 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.

	FLBL	BAMU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.92	4.98	-4.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.31	8.77	-7.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	2.41	-1.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.75	24.89	-24.14
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.54	97.89	-95.35
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FLBL vs. BAMU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FLBL Sharpe Ratio is 0.92, which is lower than the BAMU Sharpe Ratio of 4.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FLBL and BAMU, 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

	FLBL	BAMU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.92	4.98	-4.06
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.36	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.80	4.14	-3.34

Drawdowns

FLBL vs. BAMU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FLBL drawdown since its inception was -19.52%, which is greater than BAMU's maximum drawdown of -0.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FLBL and BAMU.

Drawdown Indicators

	FLBL	BAMU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.52%	-0.36%	-19.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.18%	-0.12%	-3.06%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.91%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-6.80%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.09%	0.00%	-0.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.00%	-0.02%	-0.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.94%	0.03%	+0.91%

Volatility

FLBL vs. BAMU - Volatility Comparison

Franklin Liberty Senior Loan ETF (FLBL) has a higher volatility of 0.65% compared to Brookstone Ultra-Short Bond ETF (BAMU) at 0.07%. This indicates that FLBL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BAMU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FLBL	BAMU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.65%	0.07%	+0.58%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.23%	0.43%	+1.80%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.60%	0.59%	+2.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.86%	0.87%	+2.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.72%	0.87%	+4.85%

FLBL vs. BAMU - Expense Ratio Comparison

FLBL has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is lower than BAMU's 1.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

FLBL vs. BAMU - Dividend Comparison

FLBL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.58%, more than BAMU's 3.06% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
BAMU Brookstone Ultra-Short Bond ETF	3.06%	3.20%	3.97%	0.84%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
FLBL Franklin Liberty Senior Loan ETF	7.58%	7.24%	8.05%	8.37%	5.53%	3.57%	3.22%	3.97%	2.21%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FLBL and BAMU in my portfolio?

FLBL and BAMU have a correlation of -0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FLBL or BAMU?

FLBL has higher volatility (0.65%) compared to BAMU (0.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FLBL dropped -19.52% vs BAMU's -0.36%.

Which ETF is better, FLBL or BAMU?

On 1-year performance, BAMU leads with 2.93% vs 2.39% for FLBL. On fees, FLBL is cheaper at 0.45% per year. On volatility, BAMU has been the lower-risk option at 0.07%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FLBL or BAMU?

Over the 1-year period, BAMU has performed better with a 2.93% return vs 2.39%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FLBL or BAMU?

FLBL is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 1.09% for BAMU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FLBL or BAMU?

FLBL has the higher dividend yield at 7.58%, compared with 3.06% for BAMU.

What is the main difference between FLBL and BAMU?

FLBL is categorized as High Yield Bonds, while BAMU is Ultrashort Bond. They also come from different issuers: Franklin Templeton and Brookstone. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for FLBL and 1.09% for BAMU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BAMU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.98 vs 0.92), 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.