PCIG vs. BNO

Last updated Jul 12, 2026

PCIG (Polen Capital International Growth ETF) and BNO (United States Brent Oil Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - PCIG is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund actively managed by Polen, while BNO is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the Crude Oil Brent ICE Near Term Futures. PCIG is actively managed, while BNO is passively managed. Over the past year, PCIG returned -8.85% vs 36.19% for BNO. At a correlation of -0.15, they often move in opposite directions. PCIG charges 0.85%/yr vs 1.00%/yr for BNO.

Performance

PCIG vs. BNO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Polen Capital International Growth ETF (PCIG) and United States Brent Oil Fund LP (BNO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PCIG achieves a -3.68% return, which is significantly lower than BNO's 48.83% return.

PCIG

• 1D: 0.27%
• 1M: 2.15%
• 6M: -8.43%
• YTD: -3.68%
• 1Y: -8.85%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BNO

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: -11.86%
• 6M: 43.76%
• YTD: 48.83%
• 1Y: 36.19%
• 3Y*: 16.16%
• 5Y*: 16.70%
• 10Y*: 11.29%

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

PCIG vs. BNO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
PCIG Polen Capital International Growth ETF	-3.68%	-0.02%	-8.47%
BNO United States Brent Oil Fund LP	48.83%	-5.44%	-3.39%

Correlation

The correlation between PCIG and BNO is -0.30, 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	-0.30
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 15, 2024	-0.15

The correlation between PCIG and BNO shifts across timeframes, from -0.30 (1 year) to -0.15 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PCIG vs. BNO — Risk / Return Rank

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

PCIG

PCIG Risk / Return Rank: 5
PCIG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
PCIG Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
PCIG Omega Ratio Rank: 5
PCIG Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
PCIG Martin Ratio Rank: 5

BNO

BNO Risk / Return Rank: 31
BNO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
BNO Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
BNO Omega Ratio Rank: 33
BNO Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
BNO Martin Ratio Rank: 30

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.

PCIG vs. BNO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Polen Capital International Growth ETF (PCIG) and United States Brent Oil Fund LP (BNO). 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.

	PCIG	BNO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.51	0.95	-1.46
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.59	1.50	-2.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.93	1.19	-0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.46	1.15	-1.61
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.99	3.44	-4.42

PCIG vs. BNO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PCIG Sharpe Ratio is -0.51, which is lower than the BNO Sharpe Ratio of 0.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PCIG and BNO, 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

PCIG vs. BNO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PCIG drawdown since its inception was -23.40%, smaller than the maximum BNO drawdown of -87.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PCIG and BNO.

Drawdown Indicators

	PCIG	BNO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.40%	-87.06%	+63.66%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.45%	-34.46%	+13.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-34.46%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-34.46%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-75.18%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-12.82%	-29.90%	+17.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.39%	-40.07%	+32.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.94%	11.55%	-1.61%

Volatility

PCIG vs. BNO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Polen Capital International Growth ETF (PCIG) is 6.58%, while United States Brent Oil Fund LP (BNO) has a volatility of 13.12%. This indicates that PCIG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BNO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PCIG	BNO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.58%	13.12%	-6.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.99%	38.38%	-22.39%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.39%	41.83%	-22.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.30%	35.87%	-17.57%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.30%	36.71%	-18.41%

PCIG vs. BNO - Expense Ratio Comparison

PCIG has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is lower than BNO's 1.00% expense ratio.

Dividends

PCIG vs. BNO - Dividend Comparison

PCIG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.15%, while BNO has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
BNO United States Brent Oil Fund LP	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PCIG Polen Capital International Growth ETF	0.15%	0.14%	0.36%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PCIG and BNO in my portfolio?

PCIG and BNO have a correlation of -0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PCIG or BNO?

BNO has higher volatility (13.12%) compared to PCIG (6.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PCIG dropped -23.40% vs BNO's -87.06%.

Which ETF is better, PCIG or BNO?

On 1-year performance, BNO leads with 36.19% vs -8.85% for PCIG. On fees, PCIG is cheaper at 0.85% per year. On volatility, PCIG has been the lower-risk option at 6.58%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PCIG or BNO?

Over the 1-year period, BNO has performed better with a 36.19% return vs -8.85%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PCIG or BNO?

PCIG is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 1.00% for BNO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PCIG or BNO?

PCIG has the higher dividend yield at 0.15%, compared with 0.00% for BNO.

What is the main difference between PCIG and BNO?

PCIG is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while BNO is Oil & Gas. They also come from different issuers: Polen and USCF Investments. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for PCIG and 1.00% for BNO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BNO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.95 vs -0.51), 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.