BIT vs SIFI
BlackRock Multi-Sector Income Trust vs Harbor Ares Systematic Multi-Sector Income ETF
Which is better, BIT or SIFI?
SIFI has been ahead.
SIFI has a lower expense ratio. SIFI 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 | SIFI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 4.26% | 0.50%Best |
| AUM | $719M | $23M |
| Dividend Yield | 11.82% | 8.29% |
| Holdings | 1,589 | 374 |
| YTD Return | -7.15% | -0.24%Best |
| 1Y Return | -5.64% | +1.03%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +2.43% | +7.09%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.39% | +2.23%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.3% | 5.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -23.7% | -14.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,807 | $11,166Best |
| Fund Family | BlackRock, Inc. (US) | Harbor Funds |
| Category | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Style | Diversified Sectoral Bond | Diversified Sectoral Bond |
| Inception | Feb 25, 2013 | Sep 14, 2021 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 16, 2021 to Oct 14, 2026 (5.1 years).
BIT vs SIFI 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 5.1 years both funds cover.
BIT vs SIFI Performance
BlackRock Multi-Sector Income Trust (BIT) is an ETF from BlackRock, Inc. (US) and Harbor Ares Systematic Multi-Sector Income ETF (SIFI) is an ETF from Harbor Funds. Over the past year BIT returned -5.64% while SIFI returned +1.03%. Year to date, BIT is down 7.15% versus a loss of 0.24% for SIFI.
Over three years, BIT compounded at +2.43% per year against +7.09% for SIFI; over five years the annualized figures are -0.39% and +2.23% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BIT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.3% compared with 5.7% for SIFI. 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 -23.7% for BIT and -14.7% for SIFI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.60. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BIT charges 4.26% per year while SIFI 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 8.29% for SIFI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 955 holdings in BIT and 143 in SIFI, totalling 81.9% and 73.0% 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, 21 positions appear in both.
The two holdings books were reported 259 days apart, BIT as of Dec 31, 2025 and SIFI as of Sep 16, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
21 positions in common, counted across the 955 positions we hold weights for in BIT and 143 in SIFI, against full books of 1,589 and 374.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in BIT | Weight in SIFI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| LIND 7 09/15/30 144ALINDBLAD EXPEDITIONS LLC SR SECURED 144A 09/30 7 | 0.06% | 0.86% | 0.80% |
| HNDLIN 4.75 01/30/30Novelis Corp. 4.75% 01/30/2030 | 0.08% | 0.81% | 0.73% |
| MOH 6.25 01/15/33 14Molina Healthcare Inc 144A 6.25 01/15/2033 | 0.03% | 0.84% | 0.81% |
| TDG 6.375 03/01/29 1Transdigm Inc Sr Secured 144A 03/29 6.375 6.375 03/01/2029 | 0.26% | 0.57% | 0.31% |
| CVNA 9 06/01/31 144ACarvana Co 14% 06/01/31 | 0.37% | 0.36% | 0.01% |
| HOUS 9.75 04/15/30 1Anywhere Real Estate Group Llc 144A 9.75% Apr 15, 2030 | 0.07% | 0.60% | 0.53% |
| PBFENE 7.875 09/15/3Pbf Holding Co Llc / Pbf Finance Corp 7.88% 15Sep2030 | 0.02% | 0.59% | 0.57% |
| BCULC 3.875 01/15/28Corp. Note 3.875 01/15/2028 | 0.01% | 0.59% | 0.58% |
| CRWV 9.25 06/01/30 1Coreweave Inc 9.25% 06/01/30 | 0.06% | 0.53% | 0.47% |
| IRM 6.25 01/15/33 14Iron Mountain Inc Company Guar 144A 01/33 6.25 | 0.05% | 0.51% | 0.46% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BIT and SIFI 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 SIFI?
BIT has an expense ratio of 4.26% while SIFI charges 0.50%. SIFI is the cheaper option, by $376 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BIT or SIFI?
Over the past year BIT returned -5.64% vs +1.03% for SIFI, so SIFI leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BIT or SIFI?
BIT has been the more volatile fund at 12.3% annualized versus 5.7% for SIFI. Worst drawdown: BIT -23.7% vs SIFI -14.7%.
Should I hold both BIT and SIFI?
BIT and SIFI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.60, 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 SIFI?
BIT yields 11.82% while SIFI yields 8.29%, so BIT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SIFI better than BIT?
SIFI has a lower expense ratio. SIFI 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.