BIT vs NFLT
BlackRock Multi-Sector Income Trust vs Virtus Newfleet Multi-Sector Bond ETF
Which is better, BIT or NFLT?
NFLT has been ahead.
NFLT has a lower expense ratio. NFLT led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | BIT | NFLT |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 4.26% | 0.50%Best |
| AUM | $719M | $514M |
| Dividend Yield | 11.82% | 5.54% |
| Holdings | 1,589 | 1,105 |
| YTD Return | -7.15% | -0.07%Best |
| 1Y Return | -5.64% | +1.29%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +2.43% | +7.24%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.39% | +2.69%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.4% | 5.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -49.8% | -18.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,807 | $11,419Best |
| Fund Family | BlackRock, Inc. (US) | Virtus Investment Partners |
| Category | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Style | Diversified Sectoral Bond | Diversified Sectoral Bond |
| Inception | Feb 25, 2013 | Aug 10, 2015 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 11, 2015 to Oct 14, 2026 (11.2 years).
BIT vs NFLT 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 11.2 years both funds cover.
BIT vs NFLT Performance
BlackRock Multi-Sector Income Trust (BIT) is an ETF from BlackRock, Inc. (US) and Virtus Newfleet Multi-Sector Bond ETF (NFLT) is an ETF from Virtus Investment Partners. Over the past year BIT returned -5.64% while NFLT returned +1.29%. Year to date, BIT is down 7.15% versus a loss of 0.07% for NFLT.
Over three years, BIT compounded at +2.43% per year against +7.24% for NFLT; over five years the annualized figures are -0.39% and +2.69% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, NFLT has the edge at +1.55% annualized vs +1.47%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BIT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.4% compared with 5.3% for NFLT. 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 -49.8% for BIT and -18.9% for NFLT. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.76. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BIT charges 4.26% per year while NFLT charges 0.50%. On a $10,000 position that is $426 vs $50 annually, a gap of $376 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BIT currently yields 11.82% against 5.54% for NFLT.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 955 holdings in BIT and 13 in NFLT, totalling 81.9% and 1.3% 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, 6 positions appear in both.
The two holdings books were reported 258 days apart, BIT as of Dec 31, 2025 and NFLT as of Sep 15, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
6 positions in common, counted across the 955 positions we hold weights for in BIT and 13 in NFLT, against full books of 1,589 and 1,105.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in BIT | Weight in NFLT | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARDGRP 8.875 02/15/3Ardonagh Group Finance Ltd 8.875% 2/15/2032 | 0.40% | 0.00% | 0.40% |
| GWCN 8.375 11/15/32 | 0.28% | 0.08% | 0.20% |
| ASCRES 6.625 07/15/3Ascent Resources Utica Holdings Llc / Aru Finance Corp 6.63 07/15/2033 | 0.03% | 0.14% | 0.11% |
| BLDR 6.375 03/01/34 | 0.01% | 0.11% | 0.10% |
| NOVHOL 6.625 04/15/2Clydesdale Acquisition Regd 144A P/P 6.62500000 | 0.07% | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| AMNPHA 6.875 08/01/3Amneal Pharmaceuticals L 144A W/O Rts 6.875 08/01/2032 6.875 2032-08-01 | 0.03% | 0.06% | 0.03% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BIT and NFLT 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, BIT or NFLT?
BIT has an expense ratio of 4.26% while NFLT charges 0.50%. NFLT is the cheaper option, by $376 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BIT or NFLT?
Over the past year BIT returned -5.64% vs +1.29% for NFLT, so NFLT leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), BIT annualized +1.47% vs +1.55% for NFLT. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BIT or NFLT?
BIT has been the more volatile fund at 13.4% annualized versus 5.3% for NFLT. Worst drawdown: BIT -49.8% vs NFLT -18.9%.
Should I hold both BIT and NFLT?
BIT and NFLT have a monthly-return correlation of 0.76, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, BIT or NFLT?
BIT yields 11.82% while NFLT yields 5.54%, so BIT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is NFLT better than BIT?
NFLT has a lower expense ratio. NFLT led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.