VOO vs. BRLN

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) and BRLN (BlackRock Floating Rate Loan ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VOO is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while BRLN is a Bank Loan fund actively managed by BlackRock. VOO is passively managed, while BRLN is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, VOO returned 21.45%/yr vs 7.18%/yr for BRLN. At a 0.21 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VOO charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for BRLN.

Performance

VOO vs. BRLN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) and BlackRock Floating Rate Loan ETF (BRLN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VOO achieves a 8.72% return, which is significantly higher than BRLN's 1.14% return.

VOO

• 1D: 0.25%
• 1M: 0.24%
• YTD: 8.72%
• 6M: 8.77%
• 1Y: 24.91%
• 3Y*: 21.45%
• 5Y*: 13.49%
• 10Y*: 15.35%

BRLN

• 1D: 0.35%
• 1M: 0.60%
• YTD: 1.14%
• 6M: 1.72%
• 1Y: 4.81%
• 3Y*: 7.18%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VOO vs. BRLN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	8.72%	17.82%	24.98%	26.32%	2.93%
BRLN BlackRock Floating Rate Loan ETF	1.14%	5.38%	7.49%	13.42%	2.13%

Correlation

The correlation between VOO and BRLN is 0.18, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.18
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.23
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 7, 2022	0.21

Return for Risk

VOO vs. BRLN — Risk / Return Rank

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

VOO

VOO Risk / Return Rank: 69
VOO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
VOO Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
VOO Omega Ratio Rank: 71
VOO Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VOO Martin Ratio Rank: 75

BRLN

BRLN Risk / Return Rank: 53
BRLN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
BRLN Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
BRLN Omega Ratio Rank: 53
BRLN Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
BRLN Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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.

VOO vs. BRLN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) and BlackRock Floating Rate Loan ETF (BRLN). 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.

	VOO	BRLN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.08	1.54	+0.54
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.80	2.34	+0.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.29	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.81	2.41	+0.40
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.97	9.32	+3.65
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VOO vs. BRLN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VOO Sharpe Ratio is 2.08, which is higher than the BRLN Sharpe Ratio of 1.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VOO and BRLN, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VOO	BRLN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.08	1.54	+0.54
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.88	2.16	-1.28

Drawdowns

VOO vs. BRLN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VOO drawdown since its inception was -33.99%, which is greater than BRLN's maximum drawdown of -3.85%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VOO and BRLN.

Drawdown Indicators

	VOO	BRLN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.99%	-3.85%	-30.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.90%	-2.00%	-6.90%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.69%	-3.85%	-14.84%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.52%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.99%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.66%	-0.42%	-2.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.69%	-0.31%	-3.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.92%	0.52%	+1.40%

Volatility

VOO vs. BRLN - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) has a higher volatility of 3.73% compared to BlackRock Floating Rate Loan ETF (BRLN) at 1.11%. This indicates that VOO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BRLN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VOO	BRLN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.73%	1.11%	+2.62%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.31%	2.34%	+6.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.08%	3.14%	+8.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.85%	3.74%	+13.11%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.03%	3.74%	+14.29%

VOO vs. BRLN - Expense Ratio Comparison

VOO has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than BRLN's 0.55% expense ratio.

Dividends

VOO vs. BRLN - Dividend Comparison

VOO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.05%, less than BRLN's 6.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BRLN BlackRock Floating Rate Loan ETF	6.37%	6.50%	7.87%	9.06%	1.48%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	1.05%	1.13%	1.24%	1.46%	1.69%	1.25%	1.54%	1.88%	2.06%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VOO and BRLN in my portfolio?

VOO and BRLN 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 is riskier, VOO or BRLN?

VOO has higher volatility (3.73%) compared to BRLN (1.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VOO dropped -33.99% vs BRLN's -3.85%.

Which ETF is better, VOO or BRLN?

On 3-year performance, VOO leads with 21.45% vs 7.18% for BRLN. On fees, VOO is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, BRLN has been the lower-risk option at 1.11%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VOO or BRLN?

Over the 3-year period, VOO has performed better with a 21.45% return vs 7.18%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VOO or BRLN?

VOO is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for BRLN.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VOO or BRLN?

BRLN has the higher dividend yield at 6.37%, compared with 1.05% for VOO.

What is the main difference between VOO and BRLN?

VOO is categorized as S&P 500, while BRLN is Bank Loan. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and BlackRock. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VOO and 0.55% for BRLN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VOO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.08 vs 1.54), 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.