TAGG vs. USFI

Last updated Jul 12, 2026

TAGG (T. Rowe Price QM U.S. Bond ETF) and USFI (BrandywineGLOBAL - U.S. Fixed Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - TAGG is a Intermediate Core Bond fund actively managed by T. Rowe Price, while USFI is a Actively Managed fund actively managed by BrandywineGLOBAL. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, TAGG returned 4.31% vs 5.36% for USFI. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TAGG charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for USFI.

Performance

TAGG vs. USFI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price QM U.S. Bond ETF (TAGG) and BrandywineGLOBAL - U.S. Fixed Income ETF (USFI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TAGG achieves a 0.25% return, which is significantly lower than USFI's 1.05% return.

TAGG

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: -0.29%
• 6M: 0.02%
• YTD: 0.25%
• 1Y: 4.31%
• 3Y*: 4.40%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

USFI

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: -0.13%
• 6M: 0.90%
• YTD: 1.05%
• 1Y: 5.36%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

TAGG vs. USFI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
TAGG T. Rowe Price QM U.S. Bond ETF	0.25%	7.40%	1.73%	2.78%
USFI BrandywineGLOBAL - U.S. Fixed Income ETF	1.05%	6.96%	1.11%	2.95%

Correlation

The correlation between TAGG and USFI is 0.83, 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	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 27, 2023	0.90

The correlation between TAGG and USFI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TAGG vs. USFI — Risk / Return Rank

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

TAGG

TAGG Risk / Return Rank: 32
TAGG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
TAGG Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
TAGG Omega Ratio Rank: 33
TAGG Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
TAGG Martin Ratio Rank: 28

USFI

USFI Risk / Return Rank: 68
USFI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
USFI Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
USFI Omega Ratio Rank: 57
USFI Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
USFI Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

TAGG vs. USFI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price QM U.S. Bond ETF (TAGG) and BrandywineGLOBAL - U.S. Fixed Income ETF (USFI). 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.

	TAGG	USFI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.03	1.48	-0.45
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.52	2.37	-0.86
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.28	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.20	4.58	-3.38
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.20	11.18	-7.98

TAGG vs. USFI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TAGG Sharpe Ratio is 1.03, which is lower than the USFI Sharpe Ratio of 1.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TAGG and USFI, 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

TAGG vs. USFI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TAGG drawdown since its inception was -17.26%, which is greater than USFI's maximum drawdown of -8.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TAGG and USFI.

Drawdown Indicators

	TAGG	USFI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.26%	-8.47%	-8.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.19%	-1.07%	-2.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.26%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.96%	-0.51%	-1.45%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.76%	-2.09%	-4.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.19%	0.45%	+0.74%

Volatility

TAGG vs. USFI - Volatility Comparison

T. Rowe Price QM U.S. Bond ETF (TAGG) has a higher volatility of 1.20% compared to BrandywineGLOBAL - U.S. Fixed Income ETF (USFI) at 0.90%. This indicates that TAGG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than USFI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TAGG	USFI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.20%	0.90%	+0.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.86%	1.61%	+1.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.70%	3.30%	+0.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.48%	6.90%	-0.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.48%	6.90%	-0.42%

TAGG vs. USFI - Expense Ratio Comparison

TAGG has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than USFI's 0.39% expense ratio.

Dividends

TAGG vs. USFI - Dividend Comparison

TAGG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.54%, more than USFI's 4.44% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
TAGG T. Rowe Price QM U.S. Bond ETF	4.54%	4.36%	4.36%	3.48%	3.67%	0.33%
USFI BrandywineGLOBAL - U.S. Fixed Income ETF	4.44%	4.42%	4.60%	1.83%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TAGG and USFI in my portfolio?

TAGG and USFI have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TAGG or USFI?

TAGG has higher volatility (1.20%) compared to USFI (0.90%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TAGG dropped -17.26% vs USFI's -8.47%.

Which ETF is better, TAGG or USFI?

On 1-year performance, USFI leads with 5.36% vs 4.31% for TAGG. On fees, TAGG is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, USFI has been the lower-risk option at 0.90%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TAGG or USFI?

Over the 1-year period, USFI has performed better with a 5.36% return vs 4.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TAGG or USFI?

TAGG is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.39% for USFI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, TAGG or USFI?

TAGG has the higher dividend yield at 4.54%, compared with 4.44% for USFI.

What is the main difference between TAGG and USFI?

TAGG is categorized as Intermediate Core Bond, while USFI is Actively Managed. They also come from different issuers: T. Rowe Price and BrandywineGLOBAL. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for TAGG and 0.39% for USFI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

USFI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.48 vs 1.03), 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.