SLQD vs. BESF

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

SLQD (iShares 0-5 Year Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF) and BESF (Bastion Energy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SLQD is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Markit iBoxx USD Liquid Investment Grade 0-5 Index, while BESF is a Energy Equities fund actively managed by Bastion. SLQD is passively managed, while BESF is actively managed. Over the past year, SLQD returned 4.39% vs 70.53% for BESF. At a correlation of -0.18, they often move in opposite directions. SLQD charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for BESF.

Performance

SLQD vs. BESF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares 0-5 Year Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (SLQD) and Bastion Energy ETF (BESF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SLQD achieves a 0.93% return, which is significantly lower than BESF's 20.81% return.

SLQD

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 0.26%
• YTD: 0.93%
• 6M: 1.31%
• 1Y: 4.39%
• 3Y*: 5.39%
• 5Y*: 2.54%
• 10Y*: 2.66%

BESF

• 1D: 0.89%
• 1M: -2.39%
• YTD: 20.81%
• 6M: 20.48%
• 1Y: 70.53%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SLQD vs. BESF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
SLQD iShares 0-5 Year Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF	0.93%	3.43%
BESF Bastion Energy ETF	20.81%	41.15%

Correlation

The correlation between SLQD and BESF is -0.18, 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 5, 2025	-0.18

Return for Risk

SLQD vs. BESF — Risk / Return Rank

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

SLQD

SLQD Risk / Return Rank: 88
SLQD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
SLQD Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
SLQD Omega Ratio Rank: 92
SLQD Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
SLQD Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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.

SLQD vs. BESF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares 0-5 Year Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (SLQD) and Bastion Energy ETF (BESF). 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.

	SLQD	BESF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.98	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.80	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.61	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.15	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.88	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SLQD	BESF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.98	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.04	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.85	2.92	-2.08

Drawdowns

SLQD vs. BESF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SLQD drawdown since its inception was -12.69%, which is greater than BESF's maximum drawdown of -9.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SLQD and BESF.

Drawdown Indicators

	SLQD	BESF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.69%	-9.89%	-2.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.06%	-9.89%	+8.83%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.06%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-7.63%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-12.69%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.04%	-5.04%	+5.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.87%	-2.46%	+1.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.23%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	SLQD	BESF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.46%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.09%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.49%	24.29%	-22.80%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.44%	24.29%	-21.85%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.14%	24.29%	-21.15%

SLQD vs. BESF - Expense Ratio Comparison

SLQD has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than BESF's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

SLQD vs. BESF - Dividend Comparison

SLQD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.32%, less than BESF's 5.63% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BESF Bastion Energy ETF	5.63%	6.39%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SLQD iShares 0-5 Year Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF	4.32%	4.15%	3.71%	2.99%	2.00%	1.67%	2.34%	2.89%	2.55%	1.98%	1.81%	1.43%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SLQD and BESF in my portfolio?

SLQD and BESF have a correlation of -0.18, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, SLQD or BESF?

On 1-year performance, BESF leads with 70.53% vs 4.39% for SLQD. On fees, SLQD is cheaper at 0.06% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SLQD or BESF?

Over the 1-year period, BESF has performed better with a 70.53% return vs 4.39%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SLQD or BESF?

SLQD is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for BESF.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SLQD or BESF?

BESF has the higher dividend yield at 5.63%, compared with 4.32% for SLQD.

What is the main difference between SLQD and BESF?

SLQD is categorized as Corporate Bonds, while BESF is Energy Equities. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Bastion. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for SLQD and 0.80% for BESF.