BRTR vs FTBD
iShares Total Return Active ETF vs Fidelity Tactical Bond ETF
Which is better, BRTR or FTBD?
Nearly the same fund. BRTR costs less.
BRTR has a lower expense ratio. FTBD led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | BRTR | FTBD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.38%Best | 0.55% |
| AUM | $864M | $38M |
| Dividend Yield | 4.82% | 5.60% |
| Holdings | 6,479 | 755 |
| YTD Return | -1.32% | -0.22%Best |
| 1Y Return | -1.24% | -0.52%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +2.90% | +5.46%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.0% | 4.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -5.0% | -4.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.9 years | $10,864 | $10,990Best |
| Fund Family | BlackRock, Inc. (US) | Fidelity Investments (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Style | Long Term High Quality | Long Term High Quality |
| Inception | Dec 12, 2023 | Jan 24, 2023 |
Not shown on this pair: 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 14, 2023 to Nov 11, 2026 (2.9 years).
BRTR vs FTBD growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 2.9 years both funds cover.
BRTR vs FTBD Performance
iShares Total Return Active ETF (BRTR) is an ETF from BlackRock, Inc. (US) and Fidelity Tactical Bond ETF (FTBD) is an ETF from Fidelity Investments (US). Over the past year BRTR returned -1.24% while FTBD returned -0.52%. Year to date, BRTR is down 1.32% versus a loss of 0.22% for FTBD.
Over three years, BRTR compounded at +2.90% per year against +5.46% for FTBD.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BRTR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 5.0% compared with 4.9% for FTBD. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -5.0% for BRTR and -4.9% for FTBD. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.98. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BRTR charges 0.38% per year while FTBD charges 0.55%. On a $10,000 position that is $38 vs $55 annually, a gap of $17 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BRTR currently yields 4.82% against 5.60% for FTBD.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 583 holdings in BRTR and 414 in FTBD, totalling 40.9% and 69.9% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 24 positions appear in both.
24 positions in common, counted across the 583 positions we hold weights for in BRTR and 414 in FTBD, against full books of 6,479 and 755.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in BRTR | Weight in FTBD | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| T 4 11/15/52United States Treasury Note/Bond | 2.68% | 1.29% | 1.39% |
| TEVA 5.75 12/01/30Teva Pharm Fin Iv Company Guar 12/30 5.75 | 0.03% | 0.53% | 0.50% |
| T 4.375 02/15/38United States Treasury Note/bond 4.375% 02/15/2038 | 0.38% | 0.17% | 0.21% |
| BX 2025-SPOT ABx 2025-Spot A 5.76336 2040-04-16 | 0.03% | 0.24% | 0.21% |
| MXCN 5.125 10/15/27Methanex Corp Regd 5.12500000 | 0.01% | 0.16% | 0.15% |
| OLN 5 02/01/30Olin Corp 5 02/01/2030 | 0.00% | 0.15% | 0.15% |
| PCG V7.375 03/15/55Pg&E Corp 7.38% 2055-03-15 | 0.04% | 0.07% | 0.03% |
| CC 5.75 11/15/28 144Chemours Co 5.75 11/15/2028 | 0.00% | 0.10% | 0.10% |
| EMECLI 6.625 12/15/3Emerald Debt 6.625% 12/30 144A | 0.01% | 0.07% | 0.06% |
| TIBX 9 09/30/29 144ACloud Software Group Inc 9% 30Sep2029 | 0.01% | 0.07% | 0.06% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BRTR and FTBD you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, BRTR or FTBD?
BRTR has an expense ratio of 0.38% while FTBD charges 0.55%. BRTR is the cheaper option, by $17 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BRTR or FTBD?
Over the past year BRTR returned -1.24% vs -0.52% for FTBD, so FTBD leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BRTR or FTBD?
BRTR has been the more volatile fund at 5.0% annualized versus 4.9% for FTBD. Worst drawdown: BRTR -5.0% vs FTBD -4.9%.
Should I hold both BRTR and FTBD?
BRTR and FTBD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.98, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, BRTR or FTBD?
BRTR yields 4.82% while FTBD yields 5.60%, so FTBD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is FTBD better than BRTR?
BRTR has a lower expense ratio. FTBD led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.