SEIX vs. BAMU

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

SEIX (Virtus Seix Senior Loan ETF) and BAMU (Brookstone Ultra-Short Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SEIX is a Bank Loan fund tracking the Credit Suisse Leveraged Loan Index, while BAMU is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by Brookstone. SEIX is passively managed, while BAMU is actively managed. Over the past year, SEIX returned 5.87% vs 2.89% for BAMU. At a 0.02 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SEIX charges 0.57%/yr vs 1.09%/yr for BAMU.

Performance

SEIX vs. BAMU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus Seix Senior Loan ETF (SEIX) 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, SEIX achieves a 2.23% return, which is significantly higher than BAMU's 1.20% return.

SEIX

• 1D: -0.14%
• 1M: 0.19%
• YTD: 2.23%
• 6M: 2.32%
• 1Y: 5.87%
• 3Y*: 7.73%
• 5Y*: 5.73%
• 10Y*: —

BAMU

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.18%
• YTD: 1.20%
• 6M: 1.27%
• 1Y: 2.89%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SEIX vs. BAMU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
SEIX Virtus Seix Senior Loan ETF	2.23%	5.10%	8.42%	2.99%
BAMU Brookstone Ultra-Short Bond ETF	1.20%	3.21%	4.14%	1.20%

Correlation

The correlation between SEIX and BAMU is -0.06, 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	-0.06
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 27, 2023	0.02

Return for Risk

SEIX vs. BAMU — Risk / Return Rank

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

SEIX

SEIX Risk / Return Rank: 95
SEIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
SEIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
SEIX Omega Ratio Rank: 97
SEIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
SEIX Martin Ratio Rank: 92

BAMU

BAMU Risk / Return Rank: 99
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.

SEIX vs. BAMU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus Seix Senior Loan ETF (SEIX) 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.

	SEIX	BAMU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.67	4.98	-1.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.94	8.77	-2.84
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.82	2.42	-0.60
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.22	24.55	-19.33
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	20.86	97.21	-76.35

SEIX vs. BAMU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SEIX Sharpe Ratio is 3.67, which is comparable to the BAMU Sharpe Ratio of 4.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SEIX 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

SEIX vs. BAMU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SEIX drawdown since its inception was -17.51%, which is greater than BAMU's maximum drawdown of -0.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SEIX and BAMU.

Drawdown Indicators

	SEIX	BAMU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.51%	-0.36%	-17.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.13%	-0.12%	-1.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.01%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-6.69%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.14%	0.00%	-0.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.87%	-0.02%	-0.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.28%	0.03%	+0.25%

Volatility

SEIX vs. BAMU - Volatility Comparison

Virtus Seix Senior Loan ETF (SEIX) has a higher volatility of 0.36% compared to Brookstone Ultra-Short Bond ETF (BAMU) at 0.08%. This indicates that SEIX'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

	SEIX	BAMU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.36%	0.08%	+0.28%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.30%	0.39%	+0.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.61%	0.58%	+1.03%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.92%	0.86%	+2.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.32%	0.86%	+3.46%

SEIX vs. BAMU - Expense Ratio Comparison

SEIX has a 0.57% expense ratio, which is lower than BAMU's 1.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

SEIX vs. BAMU - Dividend Comparison

SEIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.25%, more than BAMU's 3.05% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
BAMU Brookstone Ultra-Short Bond ETF	3.05%	3.20%	3.97%	0.84%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SEIX Virtus Seix Senior Loan ETF	7.25%	7.52%	8.09%	8.74%	5.76%	4.16%	3.75%	3.82%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SEIX and BAMU in my portfolio?

SEIX and BAMU have a correlation of -0.06, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SEIX or BAMU?

SEIX has higher volatility (0.36%) compared to BAMU (0.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SEIX dropped -17.51% vs BAMU's -0.36%.

Which ETF is better, SEIX or BAMU?

On 1-year performance, SEIX leads with 5.87% vs 2.89% for BAMU. On fees, SEIX is cheaper at 0.57% per year. On volatility, BAMU has been the lower-risk option at 0.08%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SEIX or BAMU?

Over the 1-year period, SEIX has performed better with a 5.87% return vs 2.89%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SEIX or BAMU?

SEIX is cheaper with a 0.57% expense ratio, compared with 1.09% for BAMU.

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

SEIX has the higher dividend yield at 7.25%, compared with 3.05% for BAMU.

What is the main difference between SEIX and BAMU?

SEIX is categorized as Bank Loan, while BAMU is Ultrashort Bond. They also come from different issuers: Virtus and Brookstone. Their fees differ too: 0.57% for SEIX and 1.09% for BAMU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BAMU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.98 vs 3.67), 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.