VUSE vs. BAMU

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

VUSE (Vident U.S. Equity Strategy ETF) and BAMU (Brookstone Ultra-Short Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VUSE is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Vident U.S. Quality Index, while BAMU is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by Brookstone. VUSE is passively managed, while BAMU is actively managed. Over the past year, VUSE returned 19.65% vs 2.91% for BAMU. At a 0.01 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VUSE charges 0.50%/yr vs 1.09%/yr for BAMU.

Performance

VUSE vs. BAMU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vident U.S. Equity Strategy ETF (VUSE) 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, VUSE achieves a 9.14% return, which is significantly higher than BAMU's 1.18% return.

VUSE

• 1D: -0.41%
• 1M: 2.32%
• YTD: 9.14%
• 6M: 7.98%
• 1Y: 19.65%
• 3Y*: 16.70%
• 5Y*: 11.65%
• 10Y*: 12.68%

BAMU

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.16%
• YTD: 1.18%
• 6M: 1.23%
• 1Y: 2.91%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VUSE vs. BAMU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
VUSE Vident U.S. Equity Strategy ETF	9.14%	13.18%	15.77%	10.40%
BAMU Brookstone Ultra-Short Bond ETF	1.18%	3.21%	4.14%	1.20%

Correlation

The correlation between VUSE and BAMU is -0.09, 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	-0.09
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 27, 2023	0.01

The correlation between VUSE and BAMU shifts across timeframes, from -0.09 (1 year) to 0.01 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VUSE vs. BAMU — Risk / Return Rank

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

VUSE

VUSE Risk / Return Rank: 44
VUSE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
VUSE Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
VUSE Omega Ratio Rank: 41
VUSE Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
VUSE Martin Ratio Rank: 47

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.

VUSE vs. BAMU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vident U.S. Equity Strategy ETF (VUSE) 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.

	VUSE	BAMU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.50	5.01	-3.51
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.12	8.84	-6.72
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	2.43	-1.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.13	24.72	-22.59
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.77	97.90	-90.13

VUSE vs. BAMU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VUSE Sharpe Ratio is 1.50, which is lower than the BAMU Sharpe Ratio of 5.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VUSE 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

VUSE vs. BAMU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VUSE drawdown since its inception was -43.92%, which is greater than BAMU's maximum drawdown of -0.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VUSE and BAMU.

Drawdown Indicators

	VUSE	BAMU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.92%	-0.36%	-43.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.28%	-0.12%	-9.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.93%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.34%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.92%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.14%	0.00%	-1.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.61%	-0.02%	-5.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.54%	0.03%	+2.51%

Volatility

VUSE vs. BAMU - Volatility Comparison

Vident U.S. Equity Strategy ETF (VUSE) has a higher volatility of 4.96% compared to Brookstone Ultra-Short Bond ETF (BAMU) at 0.09%. This indicates that VUSE'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

	VUSE	BAMU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.96%	0.09%	+4.87%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.30%	0.40%	+9.90%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.20%	0.58%	+12.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.47%	0.87%	+16.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.25%	0.87%	+19.38%

VUSE vs. BAMU - Expense Ratio Comparison

VUSE has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than BAMU's 1.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

VUSE vs. BAMU - Dividend Comparison

VUSE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.45%, less than BAMU's 3.05% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BAMU Brookstone Ultra-Short Bond ETF	3.05%	3.20%	3.97%	0.84%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VUSE Vident U.S. Equity Strategy ETF	0.45%	0.47%	0.84%	1.15%	1.57%	1.16%	1.33%	1.61%	1.55%	1.16%	1.25%	1.73%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VUSE and BAMU in my portfolio?

VUSE and BAMU have a correlation of -0.09, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VUSE or BAMU?

VUSE has higher volatility (4.96%) compared to BAMU (0.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VUSE dropped -43.92% vs BAMU's -0.36%.

Which ETF is better, VUSE or BAMU?

On 1-year performance, VUSE leads with 19.65% vs 2.91% for BAMU. On fees, VUSE is cheaper at 0.50% 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, VUSE or BAMU?

Over the 1-year period, VUSE has performed better with a 19.65% return vs 2.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VUSE or BAMU?

VUSE is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 1.09% for BAMU.

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

BAMU has the higher dividend yield at 3.05%, compared with 0.45% for VUSE.

What is the main difference between VUSE and BAMU?

VUSE is categorized as Mid Cap Value Equities, while BAMU is Ultrashort Bond. They also come from different issuers: Vident and Brookstone. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for VUSE and 1.09% for BAMU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BAMU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.01 vs 1.50), 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.