NFLT vs. BYLD
NFLT (Virtus Newfleet Multi-Sector Bond ETF) and BYLD (iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - NFLT is a Multisector Bonds fund actively managed by Virtus, while BYLD is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund tracking the Morningstar U.S. Bond Market Yield-Optimized Index. NFLT is actively managed, while BYLD is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, NFLT returned 4.07%/yr vs 2.96%/yr for BYLD. At a 0.44 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. NFLT charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.17%/yr for BYLD.
Performance
NFLT vs. BYLD - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, NFLT achieves a 1.91% return, which is significantly higher than BYLD's 1.46% return. Over the past 10 years, NFLT has outperformed BYLD with an annualized return of 4.07%, while BYLD has yielded a comparatively lower 2.96% annualized return.
NFLT
- 1D
- 0.02%
- 1M
- 0.90%
- YTD
- 1.91%
- 6M
- 1.87%
- 1Y
- 7.02%
- 3Y*
- 7.47%
- 5Y*
- 3.14%
- 10Y*
- 4.07%
BYLD
- 1D
- -0.18%
- 1M
- 0.84%
- YTD
- 1.46%
- 6M
- 1.62%
- 1Y
- 6.36%
- 3Y*
- 6.52%
- 5Y*
- 2.23%
- 10Y*
- 2.96%
NFLT vs. BYLD - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NFLT Virtus Newfleet Multi-Sector Bond ETF | 1.91% | 8.77% | 6.05% | 9.16% | -9.49% | 1.18% | 8.02% | 10.13% | -2.68% | 6.30% |
BYLD iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF | 1.46% | 8.41% | 4.17% | 8.30% | -10.33% | -1.25% | 4.25% | 12.79% | -1.50% | 4.75% |
Correlation
The correlation between NFLT and BYLD is 0.53, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.53 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.61 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.63 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.47 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 11, 2015 | 0.44 |
The correlation between NFLT and BYLD shifts across timeframes, from 0.44 (all time) to 0.63 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
NFLT vs. BYLD — Risk / Return Rank
NFLT
BYLD
NFLT vs. BYLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus Newfleet Multi-Sector Bond ETF (NFLT) and iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF (BYLD). 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.
| NFLT | BYLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.02 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.02 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.31 | 1.31 | 0.00 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.92 | 2.35 | +0.56 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.69 | 9.51 | +3.18 |
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Drawdowns
NFLT vs. BYLD - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum NFLT drawdown since its inception was -15.17%, roughly equal to the maximum BYLD drawdown of -14.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NFLT and BYLD.
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Drawdown Indicators
| NFLT | BYLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -15.17% | -14.75% | -0.42% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.42% | -2.71% | +0.29% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -3.24% | -3.94% | +0.70% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -13.42% | -14.65% | +1.23% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -15.17% | -14.75% | -0.42% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.49% | -0.18% | -0.31% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.10% | -2.50% | +0.40% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.55% | 0.67% | -0.12% |
Volatility
NFLT vs. BYLD - Volatility Comparison
Virtus Newfleet Multi-Sector Bond ETF (NFLT) has a higher volatility of 1.57% compared to iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF (BYLD) at 1.13%. This indicates that NFLT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BYLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| NFLT | BYLD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.57% | 1.13% | +0.44% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.14% | 3.06% | +0.08% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.19% | 3.85% | +0.34% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 4.47% | 5.21% | -0.74% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.94% | 5.43% | -0.49% |
NFLT vs. BYLD - Expense Ratio Comparison
NFLT has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than BYLD's 0.17% expense ratio.
Dividends
NFLT vs. BYLD - Dividend Comparison
NFLT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.49%, more than BYLD's 5.35% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BYLD iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF | 5.35% | 5.32% | 5.31% | 4.45% | 3.39% | 2.18% | 3.41% | 3.67% | 4.22% | 3.22% | 3.14% | 3.37% |
NFLT Virtus Newfleet Multi-Sector Bond ETF | 5.49% | 5.74% | 5.76% | 6.02% | 4.16% | 3.41% | 3.63% | 4.33% | 4.81% | 6.23% | 5.30% | 0.67% |
Frequently Asked Questions
NFLT and BYLD have a correlation of 0.53, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
NFLT has higher volatility (1.57%) compared to BYLD (1.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NFLT dropped -15.17% vs BYLD's -14.75%.
On 10-year performance, NFLT leads with 4.07% vs 2.96% for BYLD. On fees, BYLD is cheaper at 0.17% per year. On volatility, BYLD has been the lower-risk option at 1.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, NFLT has performed better with a 4.07% return vs 2.96%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
BYLD is cheaper with a 0.17% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for NFLT.
NFLT has the higher dividend yield at 5.49%, compared with 5.35% for BYLD.
NFLT is categorized as Multisector Bonds, while BYLD is Intermediate Core-Plus Bond. They also come from different issuers: Virtus and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for NFLT and 0.17% for BYLD.
NFLT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.69 vs 1.66), 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.
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