PFRL vs. BAMU

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

PFRL (PGIM Floating Rate Income ETF) and BAMU (Brookstone Ultra-Short Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PFRL is a Bank Loan fund actively managed by PGIM, while BAMU is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by Brookstone. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, PFRL returned 6.38% vs 2.87% for BAMU. At a 0.01 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PFRL charges 0.72%/yr vs 1.09%/yr for BAMU.

Performance

PFRL vs. BAMU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PGIM Floating Rate Income ETF (PFRL) 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, PFRL achieves a 2.37% return, which is significantly higher than BAMU's 1.18% return.

PFRL

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 0.55%
• YTD: 2.37%
• 6M: 2.75%
• 1Y: 6.38%
• 3Y*: 8.50%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BAMU

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.16%
• YTD: 1.18%
• 6M: 1.29%
• 1Y: 2.87%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PFRL vs. BAMU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
PFRL PGIM Floating Rate Income ETF	2.37%	6.25%	9.40%	3.17%
BAMU Brookstone Ultra-Short Bond ETF	1.18%	3.21%	4.14%	1.20%

Correlation

The correlation between PFRL and BAMU is -0.10, 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	-0.10
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 27, 2023	0.01

The correlation between PFRL and BAMU shifts across timeframes, from -0.10 (1 year) to 0.01 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PFRL vs. BAMU — Risk / Return Rank

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

PFRL

PFRL Risk / Return Rank: 92
PFRL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
PFRL Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
PFRL Omega Ratio Rank: 96
PFRL Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
PFRL Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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.

PFRL vs. BAMU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	PFRL	BAMU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.33	4.94	-1.61
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.81	8.71	-3.90
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.73	2.41	-0.68
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.11	24.37	-19.26
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.37	96.52	-79.15

PFRL vs. BAMU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PFRL Sharpe Ratio is 3.33, which is lower than the BAMU Sharpe Ratio of 4.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PFRL 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

PFRL vs. BAMU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PFRL drawdown since its inception was -8.83%, which is greater than BAMU's maximum drawdown of -0.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PFRL and BAMU.

Drawdown Indicators

	PFRL	BAMU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.83%	-0.36%	-8.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.25%	-0.12%	-1.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.83%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.43%	-0.02%	-0.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.37%	0.03%	+0.34%

Volatility

PFRL vs. BAMU - Volatility Comparison

PGIM Floating Rate Income ETF (PFRL) has a higher volatility of 0.48% compared to Brookstone Ultra-Short Bond ETF (BAMU) at 0.09%. This indicates that PFRL'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

	PFRL	BAMU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.48%	0.09%	+0.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.61%	0.39%	+1.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.92%	0.58%	+1.34%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.83%	0.87%	+3.96%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.83%	0.87%	+3.96%

PFRL vs. BAMU - Expense Ratio Comparison

PFRL has a 0.72% expense ratio, which is lower than BAMU's 1.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

PFRL vs. BAMU - Dividend Comparison

PFRL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.80%, more 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%
PFRL PGIM Floating Rate Income ETF	6.80%	7.34%	8.96%	9.84%	3.55%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PFRL and BAMU in my portfolio?

PFRL and BAMU have a correlation of -0.10, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PFRL or BAMU?

PFRL has higher volatility (0.48%) compared to BAMU (0.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PFRL dropped -8.83% vs BAMU's -0.36%.

Which ETF is better, PFRL or BAMU?

On 1-year performance, PFRL leads with 6.38% vs 2.87% for BAMU. On fees, PFRL is cheaper at 0.72% 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, PFRL or BAMU?

Over the 1-year period, PFRL has performed better with a 6.38% return vs 2.87%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PFRL or BAMU?

PFRL is cheaper with a 0.72% expense ratio, compared with 1.09% for BAMU.

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

PFRL has the higher dividend yield at 6.80%, compared with 3.05% for BAMU.

What is the main difference between PFRL and BAMU?

PFRL is categorized as Bank Loan, while BAMU is Ultrashort Bond. They also come from different issuers: PGIM and Brookstone. Their fees differ too: 0.72% for PFRL and 1.09% for BAMU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BAMU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.94 vs 3.33), 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.