PBL vs. BAMU

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

PBL (PGIM Portfolio Ballast ETF) and BAMU (Brookstone Ultra-Short Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PBL is a Diversified Portfolio fund actively managed by PGIM, while BAMU is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by Brookstone. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, PBL returned 18.53% vs 2.91% for BAMU. At a 0.01 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PBL charges 0.45%/yr vs 1.09%/yr for BAMU.

Performance

PBL vs. BAMU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PGIM Portfolio Ballast ETF (PBL) 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, PBL achieves a 7.15% return, which is significantly higher than BAMU's 1.18% return.

PBL

• 1D: -0.17%
• 1M: 0.73%
• YTD: 7.15%
• 6M: 6.87%
• 1Y: 18.53%
• 3Y*: 14.40%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BAMU

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.16%
• YTD: 1.18%
• 6M: 1.23%
• 1Y: 2.91%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PBL vs. BAMU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
PBL PGIM Portfolio Ballast ETF	7.15%	12.35%	16.70%	8.08%
BAMU Brookstone Ultra-Short Bond ETF	1.18%	3.21%	4.14%	1.20%

Correlation

The correlation between PBL and BAMU is -0.09, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.09
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 27, 2023	0.01

Return for Risk

PBL vs. BAMU — Risk / Return Rank

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

PBL

PBL Risk / Return Rank: 64
PBL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
PBL Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
PBL Omega Ratio Rank: 59
PBL Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
PBL Martin Ratio Rank: 70

BAMU

BAMU Risk / Return Rank: 98
BAMU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
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.

PBL vs. BAMU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM Portfolio Ballast ETF (PBL) 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.

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.

	PBL	BAMU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.00	5.01	-3.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.81	8.84	-6.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	2.43	-1.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.20	24.72	-21.52
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.53	97.90	-85.36

PBL vs. BAMU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PBL Sharpe Ratio is 2.00, which is lower than the BAMU Sharpe Ratio of 5.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PBL 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.

Drawdowns

PBL vs. BAMU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PBL drawdown since its inception was -11.69%, which is greater than BAMU's maximum drawdown of -0.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PBL and BAMU.

Drawdown Indicators

	PBL	BAMU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.69%	-0.36%	-11.33%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.82%	-0.12%	-5.70%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.69%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.90%	0.00%	-0.90%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.66%	-0.02%	-1.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.48%	0.03%	+1.45%

Volatility

PBL vs. BAMU - Volatility Comparison

PGIM Portfolio Ballast ETF (PBL) has a higher volatility of 3.41% compared to Brookstone Ultra-Short Bond ETF (BAMU) at 0.09%. This indicates that PBL'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

	PBL	BAMU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.41%	0.09%	+3.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.06%	0.40%	+6.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.33%	0.58%	+8.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.91%	0.87%	+9.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.91%	0.87%	+9.04%

PBL vs. BAMU - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

PBL vs. BAMU - Dividend Comparison

PBL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.07%, less than BAMU's 3.05% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
BAMU Brookstone Ultra-Short Bond ETF	3.05%	3.20%	3.97%	0.84%	0.00%
PBL PGIM Portfolio Ballast ETF	2.07%	2.21%	6.89%	7.92%	0.16%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PBL and BAMU in my portfolio?

PBL and BAMU have a correlation of -0.09, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PBL or BAMU?

PBL has higher volatility (3.41%) compared to BAMU (0.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PBL dropped -11.69% vs BAMU's -0.36%.

Which ETF is better, PBL or BAMU?

On 1-year performance, PBL leads with 18.53% vs 2.91% for BAMU. On fees, PBL is cheaper at 0.45% per year. On volatility, BAMU has been the lower-risk option at 0.09%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PBL or BAMU?

Over the 1-year period, PBL has performed better with a 18.53% return vs 2.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PBL or BAMU?

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

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

BAMU has the higher dividend yield at 3.05%, compared with 2.07% for PBL.

What is the main difference between PBL and BAMU?

PBL is categorized as Diversified Portfolio, while BAMU is Ultrashort Bond. They also come from different issuers: PGIM and Brookstone. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for PBL and 1.09% for BAMU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BAMU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.01 vs 2.00), 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.