PEX vs. FBDC

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

PEX (ProShares Global Listed Private Equity ETF) and FBDC (FT Confluence BDC & Specialty Finance Income ETF) are both Financials Equities funds. PEX is passively managed, while FBDC is actively managed. Over the past year, PEX returned -14.95% vs -11.30% for FBDC. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PEX charges 3.13%/yr vs 1.35%/yr for FBDC.

Performance

PEX vs. FBDC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares Global Listed Private Equity ETF (PEX) and FT Confluence BDC & Specialty Finance Income ETF (FBDC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PEX achieves a -7.84% return, which is significantly lower than FBDC's -4.10% return.

PEX

• 1D: 0.68%
• 1M: 3.24%
• 6M: -10.07%
• YTD: -7.84%
• 1Y: -14.95%
• 3Y*: 4.15%
• 5Y*: 0.32%
• 10Y*: 4.92%

FBDC

• 1D: 1.74%
• 1M: 4.48%
• 6M: -6.58%
• YTD: -4.10%
• 1Y: -11.30%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PEX vs. FBDC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
PEX ProShares Global Listed Private Equity ETF	-7.84%	-3.69%
FBDC FT Confluence BDC & Specialty Finance Income ETF	-4.10%	-2.66%

Correlation

The correlation between PEX and FBDC is 0.82, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 30, 2025	0.82

The correlation between PEX and FBDC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PEX vs. FBDC — Risk / Return Rank

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

PEX

PEX Risk / Return Rank: 3
PEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
PEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 3
PEX Omega Ratio Rank: 3
PEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 4
PEX Martin Ratio Rank: 4

FBDC

FBDC Risk / Return Rank: 4
FBDC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
FBDC Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
FBDC Omega Ratio Rank: 4
FBDC Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
FBDC Martin Ratio Rank: 5

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.

PEX vs. FBDC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Global Listed Private Equity ETF (PEX) and FT Confluence BDC & Specialty Finance Income ETF (FBDC). 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.

	PEX	FBDC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.94	-0.63	-0.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.25	-0.80	-0.45
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.86	0.91	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.61	-0.55	-0.06
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.07	-0.93	-0.15

PEX vs. FBDC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PEX Sharpe Ratio is -0.94, which is lower than the FBDC Sharpe Ratio of -0.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PEX and FBDC, 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

PEX vs. FBDC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PEX drawdown since its inception was -49.17%, which is greater than FBDC's maximum drawdown of -20.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PEX and FBDC.

Drawdown Indicators

	PEX	FBDC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.17%	-20.60%	-28.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-24.72%	-20.60%	-4.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.72%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.58%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-49.17%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-16.70%	-12.29%	-4.41%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.31%	-10.74%	+2.43%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	13.93%	12.23%	+1.70%

Volatility

PEX vs. FBDC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ProShares Global Listed Private Equity ETF (PEX) is 3.97%, while FT Confluence BDC & Specialty Finance Income ETF (FBDC) has a volatility of 4.45%. This indicates that PEX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FBDC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PEX	FBDC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.97%	4.45%	-0.48%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.62%	14.59%	-0.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.97%	18.06%	-2.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.01%	17.86%	+0.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.25%	17.86%	+1.39%

PEX vs. FBDC - Expense Ratio Comparison

PEX has a 3.13% expense ratio, which is higher than FBDC's 1.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

PEX vs. FBDC - Dividend Comparison

PEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.61%, less than FBDC's 11.99% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FBDC FT Confluence BDC & Specialty Finance Income ETF	11.99%	5.41%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PEX ProShares Global Listed Private Equity ETF	8.61%	12.80%	14.11%	13.02%	1.77%	13.64%	5.52%	7.94%	4.72%	24.26%	3.24%	12.50%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PEX and FBDC in my portfolio?

PEX and FBDC have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PEX or FBDC?

FBDC has higher volatility (4.45%) compared to PEX (3.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PEX dropped -49.17% vs FBDC's -20.60%.

Which ETF is better, PEX or FBDC?

On 1-year performance, FBDC leads with -11.30% vs -14.95% for PEX. On fees, FBDC is cheaper at 1.35% per year. On volatility, PEX has been the lower-risk option at 3.97%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PEX or FBDC?

Over the 1-year period, FBDC has performed better with a -11.30% return vs -14.95%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PEX or FBDC?

FBDC is cheaper with a 1.35% expense ratio, compared with 3.13% for PEX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PEX or FBDC?

FBDC has the higher dividend yield at 11.99%, compared with 8.61% for PEX.

What is the main difference between PEX and FBDC?

They also come from different issuers: ProShares and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 3.13% for PEX and 1.35% for FBDC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FBDC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.63 vs -0.94), 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.