LCTU vs. BRLN

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

LCTU (BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF) and BRLN (BlackRock Floating Rate Loan ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - LCTU is a ESG fund actively managed by BlackRock, while BRLN is a Bank Loan fund actively managed by BlackRock. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, LCTU returned 21.17%/yr vs 7.36%/yr for BRLN. At a 0.20 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. LCTU charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for BRLN.

Performance

LCTU vs. BRLN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF (LCTU) and BlackRock Floating Rate Loan ETF (BRLN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LCTU achieves a 9.04% return, which is significantly higher than BRLN's 1.35% return.

LCTU

• 1D: -0.74%
• 1M: 5.23%
• YTD: 9.04%
• 6M: 9.21%
• 1Y: 25.72%
• 3Y*: 21.17%
• 5Y*: 12.37%
• 10Y*: —

BRLN

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

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

LCTU vs. BRLN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
LCTU BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF	9.04%	16.96%	24.00%	25.38%	2.29%
BRLN BlackRock Floating Rate Loan ETF	1.35%	5.38%	7.49%	13.42%	2.13%

Correlation

The correlation between LCTU and BRLN is 0.15, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.15
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.22
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 7, 2022	0.20

Return for Risk

LCTU vs. BRLN — Risk / Return Rank

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

LCTU

LCTU Risk / Return Rank: 61
LCTU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
LCTU Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
LCTU Omega Ratio Rank: 62
LCTU Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
LCTU Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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

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.

LCTU vs. BRLN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF (LCTU) and BlackRock Floating Rate Loan ETF (BRLN). 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.

	LCTU	BRLN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.10	1.68	+0.43
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.89	2.60	+0.29
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.32	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.75	2.56	+0.20
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.25	9.95	+2.29
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LCTU vs. BRLN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LCTU Sharpe Ratio is 2.10, which is comparable to the BRLN Sharpe Ratio of 1.68. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LCTU and BRLN, 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

	LCTU	BRLN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.10	1.68	+0.43
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.76	2.19	-1.43

Drawdowns

LCTU vs. BRLN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LCTU drawdown since its inception was -25.93%, which is greater than BRLN's maximum drawdown of -3.85%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LCTU and BRLN.

Drawdown Indicators

	LCTU	BRLN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.93%	-3.85%	-22.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.38%	-2.00%	-7.38%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.83%	-3.85%	-15.98%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.93%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.74%	-0.21%	-0.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.32%	-0.31%	-6.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.11%	0.51%	+1.60%

Volatility

LCTU vs. BRLN - Volatility Comparison

BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF (LCTU) has a higher volatility of 3.04% compared to BlackRock Floating Rate Loan ETF (BRLN) at 0.81%. This indicates that LCTU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BRLN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LCTU	BRLN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.04%	0.81%	+2.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.36%	2.24%	+7.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.30%	3.06%	+9.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.15%	3.73%	+13.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.02%	3.73%	+13.29%

LCTU vs. BRLN - Expense Ratio Comparison

LCTU has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than BRLN's 0.55% expense ratio.

Dividends

LCTU vs. BRLN - Dividend Comparison

LCTU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.93%, less than BRLN's 6.35% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
BRLN BlackRock Floating Rate Loan ETF	6.35%	6.50%	7.87%	9.06%	1.48%	0.00%
LCTU BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF	0.93%	1.02%	1.27%	1.46%	1.63%	2.20%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LCTU and BRLN in my portfolio?

LCTU and BRLN have a correlation of 0.15, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LCTU or BRLN?

LCTU has higher volatility (3.04%) compared to BRLN (0.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LCTU dropped -25.93% vs BRLN's -3.85%.

Which ETF is better, LCTU or BRLN?

On 3-year performance, LCTU leads with 21.17% vs 7.36% for BRLN. On fees, LCTU is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, BRLN has been the lower-risk option at 0.81%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LCTU or BRLN?

Over the 3-year period, LCTU has performed better with a 21.17% return vs 7.36%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LCTU or BRLN?

LCTU is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for BRLN.

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

BRLN has the higher dividend yield at 6.35%, compared with 0.93% for LCTU.

What is the main difference between LCTU and BRLN?

LCTU is categorized as ESG, while BRLN is Bank Loan. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for LCTU and 0.55% for BRLN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LCTU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.10 vs 1.68), 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.