NBCE vs. BILZ

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

NBCE (Neuberger Berman China Equity ETF) and BILZ (PIMCO Ultra Short Government Active Exchange-Traded Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - NBCE is a China Equities fund actively managed by Neuberger Berman, while BILZ is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by PIMCO. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, NBCE returned 74.35% vs 3.89% for BILZ. At a correlation of -0.06, they often move in opposite directions. NBCE charges 0.74%/yr vs 0.14%/yr for BILZ.

Performance

NBCE vs. BILZ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Neuberger Berman China Equity ETF (NBCE) and PIMCO Ultra Short Government Active Exchange-Traded Fund (BILZ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NBCE achieves a 36.34% return, which is significantly higher than BILZ's 1.64% return.

NBCE

• 1D: 2.88%
• 1M: 11.08%
• YTD: 36.34%
• 6M: 37.86%
• 1Y: 74.35%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BILZ

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.25%
• YTD: 1.64%
• 6M: 1.75%
• 1Y: 3.89%
• 3Y*: 4.67%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

NBCE vs. BILZ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
NBCE Neuberger Berman China Equity ETF	36.34%	39.08%	3.35%	-2.22%
BILZ PIMCO Ultra Short Government Active Exchange-Traded Fund	1.64%	4.21%	5.25%	1.17%

Correlation

The correlation between NBCE and BILZ is -0.11, 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	-0.11
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 16, 2023	-0.06

Return for Risk

NBCE vs. BILZ — Risk / Return Rank

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

NBCE

NBCE Risk / Return Rank: 95
NBCE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
NBCE Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
NBCE Omega Ratio Rank: 94
NBCE Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
NBCE Martin Ratio Rank: 94

BILZ

BILZ Risk / Return Rank: 100
BILZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
BILZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
BILZ Omega Ratio Rank: 100
BILZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 100
BILZ Martin Ratio Rank: 100

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.

NBCE vs. BILZ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Neuberger Berman China Equity ETF (NBCE) and PIMCO Ultra Short Government Active Exchange-Traded Fund (BILZ). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	NBCE	BILZ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.71	18.70	-14.99
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.63	118.69	-114.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.64	47.43	-45.79
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	8.10	197.44	-189.34
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	26.61	1,898.07	-1,871.47

NBCE vs. BILZ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NBCE Sharpe Ratio is 3.71, which is lower than the BILZ Sharpe Ratio of 18.70. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NBCE and BILZ, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

NBCE vs. BILZ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NBCE drawdown since its inception was -28.42%, which is greater than BILZ's maximum drawdown of -0.52%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NBCE and BILZ.

Drawdown Indicators

	NBCE	BILZ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.42%	-0.52%	-27.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.23%	-0.02%	-9.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-0.17%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.99%	-0.01%	-8.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.80%	0.00%	+2.80%

Volatility

NBCE vs. BILZ - Volatility Comparison

Neuberger Berman China Equity ETF (NBCE) has a higher volatility of 9.08% compared to PIMCO Ultra Short Government Active Exchange-Traded Fund (BILZ) at 0.07%. This indicates that NBCE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BILZ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NBCE	BILZ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.08%	0.07%	+9.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.37%	0.14%	+15.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.17%	0.21%	+19.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.33%	0.52%	+23.81%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.33%	0.52%	+23.81%

NBCE vs. BILZ - Expense Ratio Comparison

NBCE has a 0.74% expense ratio, which is higher than BILZ's 0.14% expense ratio.

Dividends

NBCE vs. BILZ - Dividend Comparison

NBCE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.97%, less than BILZ's 4.07% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
BILZ PIMCO Ultra Short Government Active Exchange-Traded Fund	4.07%	4.19%	4.95%	2.23%
NBCE Neuberger Berman China Equity ETF	0.97%	1.32%	1.20%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NBCE and BILZ in my portfolio?

NBCE and BILZ have a correlation of -0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NBCE or BILZ?

NBCE has higher volatility (9.08%) compared to BILZ (0.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NBCE dropped -28.42% vs BILZ's -0.52%.

Which ETF is better, NBCE or BILZ?

On 1-year performance, NBCE leads with 74.35% vs 3.89% for BILZ. On fees, BILZ is cheaper at 0.14% per year. On volatility, BILZ 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, NBCE or BILZ?

Over the 1-year period, NBCE has performed better with a 74.35% return vs 3.89%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NBCE or BILZ?

BILZ is cheaper with a 0.14% expense ratio, compared with 0.74% for NBCE.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, NBCE or BILZ?

BILZ has the higher dividend yield at 4.07%, compared with 0.97% for NBCE.

What is the main difference between NBCE and BILZ?

NBCE is categorized as China Equities, while BILZ is Ultrashort Bond. They also come from different issuers: Neuberger Berman and PIMCO. Their fees differ too: 0.74% for NBCE and 0.14% for BILZ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BILZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (18.70 vs 3.71), 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.