PCFI vs. BRLN

Last updated Jul 24, 2026

PCFI (Polen Floating Rate Income ETF) and BRLN (BlackRock Floating Rate Loan ETF) are both Bank Loan funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, PCFI returned -0.62% vs 2.70% for BRLN. At a 0.16 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PCFI charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for BRLN.

Performance

PCFI vs. BRLN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Polen Floating Rate Income ETF (PCFI) 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, PCFI achieves a 1.10% return, which is significantly higher than BRLN's 1.03% return.

PCFI

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 1.24%
• 6M: -0.06%
• YTD: 1.10%
• 1Y: -0.62%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 2.05%

BRLN

• 1D: -0.35%
• 1M: -0.23%
• 6M: 0.86%
• YTD: 1.03%
• 1Y: 2.70%
• 3Y*: 6.34%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 7.58%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
BRLN BlackRock Floating Rate Loan ETF	$208.91K	$304.44K	$314.74K
PCFI Polen Floating Rate Income ETF	$2.22K	$2.75K	$57.49K

PCFI vs. BRLN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
PCFI Polen Floating Rate Income ETF	1.10%	1.62%
BRLN BlackRock Floating Rate Loan ETF	1.03%	5.10%

Correlation

The correlation between PCFI and BRLN is 0.12, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.12
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 24, 2025	0.16

Return for Risk

PCFI vs. BRLN — Risk / Return Rank

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

PCFI

PCFI Risk / Return Rank: 10
PCFI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
PCFI Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
PCFI Omega Ratio Rank: 10
PCFI Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
PCFI Martin Ratio Rank: 11

BRLN

BRLN Risk / Return Rank: 34
BRLN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
BRLN Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
BRLN Omega Ratio Rank: 29
BRLN Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
BRLN Martin Ratio Rank: 41

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.

PCFI vs. BRLN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Polen Floating Rate Income ETF (PCFI) 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.

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.

	PCFI	BRLN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.11	0.82	-0.92
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.10	1.19	-1.29
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.99	1.15	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.15	1.35	-1.51
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.27	4.75	-5.02

PCFI vs. BRLN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PCFI Sharpe Ratio is -0.11, which is lower than the BRLN Sharpe Ratio of 0.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PCFI 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.

Drawdowns

PCFI vs. BRLN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PCFI drawdown since its inception was -4.01%, roughly equal to the maximum BRLN drawdown of -3.85%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PCFI and BRLN.

Drawdown Indicators

	PCFI	BRLN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.01%	-3.85%	-0.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.01%	-2.00%	-2.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-3.85%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.40%	-0.82%	-0.58%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.76%	-0.33%	-1.43%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.27%	0.57%	+1.70%

Volatility

PCFI vs. BRLN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Polen Floating Rate Income ETF (PCFI) is 1.14%, while BlackRock Floating Rate Loan ETF (BRLN) has a volatility of 1.54%. This indicates that PCFI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BRLN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PCFI	BRLN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.14%	1.54%	-0.40%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.25%	2.79%	+1.46%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.87%	3.35%	+2.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.04%	3.79%	+3.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.04%	3.79%	+3.25%

PCFI vs. BRLN - Expense Ratio Comparison

PCFI has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is lower than BRLN's 0.55% expense ratio.

Dividends

PCFI vs. BRLN - Dividend Comparison

PCFI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.57%, more than BRLN's 6.33% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
BRLN BlackRock Floating Rate Loan ETF	6.33%	6.50%	7.87%	9.06%	1.48%
PCFI Polen Floating Rate Income ETF	9.57%	7.83%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PCFI and BRLN in my portfolio?

PCFI and BRLN have a correlation of 0.12, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PCFI or BRLN?

BRLN has higher volatility (1.54%) compared to PCFI (1.14%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PCFI dropped -4.01% vs BRLN's -3.85%.

Which ETF is better, PCFI or BRLN?

On 1-year performance, BRLN leads with 2.70% vs -0.62% for PCFI. On fees, PCFI is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, PCFI has been the lower-risk option at 1.14%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PCFI or BRLN?

Over the 1-year period, BRLN has performed better with a 2.70% return vs -0.62%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PCFI or BRLN?

PCFI is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for BRLN.

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

PCFI has the higher dividend yield at 9.57%, compared with 6.33% for BRLN.

What is the main difference between PCFI and BRLN?

They also come from different issuers: Polen and BlackRock. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for PCFI and 0.55% for BRLN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BRLN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.82 vs -0.11), 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.