BAFE vs PSET
Brown Advisory Flexible Equity ETF vs Principal Quality ETF
Which is better, BAFE or PSET?
BAFE has been ahead.
PSET has a lower expense ratio. BAFE led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. PSET is less concentrated, with 34.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 45.4%.
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 | BAFE | PSET |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.54% | 0.15%Best |
| AUM | $1.8B | $26M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.27% | 0.69% |
| Holdings | 90 | 150 |
| YTD Return | +9.97%Best | +5.26% |
| 1Y Return | +12.65%Best | +6.00% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +13.51% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.64% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.2% | 12.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -18.4%Best | -22.0% |
| $10,000 over 1.9 years | $12,035Best | $11,317 |
| Top 10 Weight | 45.4% | 34.2%Best |
| Fund Family | Brown Advisory | Principal Funds |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 18, 2024 | Mar 21, 2016 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 18, 2024 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.9 years).
BAFE vs PSET 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 1.9 years both funds cover.
BAFE vs PSET Performance
Brown Advisory Flexible Equity ETF (BAFE) is an ETF from Brown Advisory and Principal Quality ETF (PSET) is an ETF from Principal Funds. Over the past year BAFE returned +12.65% while PSET returned +6.00%. Year to date, BAFE is up 9.97% versus a gain of 5.26% for PSET.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BAFE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.2% compared with 12.1% for PSET. 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 -18.4% for BAFE and -22.0% for PSET. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.90. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BAFE charges 0.54% per year while PSET charges 0.15%. On a $10,000 position that is $54 vs $15 annually, a gap of $39 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BAFE currently yields 0.27% against 0.69% for PSET.
Holdings Overlap
43.5% of BAFE's money is in holdings PSET also owns. 34.8% of PSET's money is in holdings BAFE also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
14 positions in common, counted across the 42 positions we hold weights for in BAFE and 73 in PSET, against full books of 90 and 150.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 57 positions for PSET that do not appear in our book for BAFE (63.1% of the fund), and 23 for BAFE that do not appear in PSET (39.3%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in BAFE | Weight in PSET | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 3.84% | 7.13% | 3.29% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 6.49% | 4.38% | 2.11% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 1.90% | 6.11% | 4.21% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 4.42% | 2.27% | 2.15% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 3.54% | 2.88% | 0.66% |
| VVisa Inc Class A | 4.22% | 2.14% | 2.08% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 4.60% | 0.97% | 3.63% |
| MAMastercard Inc | 3.73% | 1.81% | 1.92% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc | 3.72% | 1.28% | 2.44% |
| DHRDanaher Corporation | 2.35% | 1.39% | 0.96% |
43.5% of BAFE is already inside PSET.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, BAFE or PSET?
BAFE has an expense ratio of 0.54% while PSET charges 0.15%. PSET is the cheaper option, by $39 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BAFE or PSET?
Over the past year BAFE returned +12.65% vs +6.00% for PSET, so BAFE leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), BAFE annualized +10.24% vs +6.73% for PSET. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BAFE or PSET?
BAFE has been the more volatile fund at 13.2% annualized versus 12.1% for PSET. Worst drawdown: BAFE -18.4% vs PSET -22.0%.
Should I hold both BAFE and PSET?
BAFE and PSET have a monthly-return correlation of 0.90, 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.
What is the holdings overlap between BAFE and PSET?
43.5% of BAFE's money is in holdings PSET also owns. 34.8% of PSET's is in holdings BAFE also owns. They hold 14 positions in common, counted across the 42 positions we hold weights for in BAFE and 73 in PSET.
Which pays a higher dividend, BAFE or PSET?
BAFE yields 0.27% while PSET yields 0.69%, so PSET currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is PSET better than BAFE?
PSET has a lower expense ratio. BAFE led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. PSET is less concentrated, with 34.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 45.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.