BRTR vs CAAA
iShares Total Return Active ETF vs First Trust AAA CMBS ETF
Which is better, BRTR or CAAA?
CAAA has been ahead.
CAAA has a lower expense ratio. CAAA led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94.
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 | CAAA |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.38% | 0.30%Best |
| AUM | $816M | $35M |
| Dividend Yield | 4.92% | 4.94% |
| Holdings | 3,009 | 235 |
| YTD Return | -2.33% | -0.25%Best |
| 1Y Return | -1.91% | +0.08%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.2% | 3.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -5.0% | -2.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.6 years | $11,196 | $11,212Best |
| Fund Family | BlackRock, Inc. (US) | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Style | Long Term High Quality | Long Term High Quality |
| Inception | Dec 12, 2023 | Feb 27, 2024 |
Not shown on this pair: 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 28, 2024 to Oct 14, 2026 (2.6 years).
BRTR vs CAAA 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 2.6 years both funds cover.
BRTR vs CAAA Performance
iShares Total Return Active ETF (BRTR) is an ETF from BlackRock, Inc. (US) and First Trust AAA CMBS ETF (CAAA) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year BRTR returned -1.91% while CAAA returned +0.08%. Year to date, BRTR is down 2.33% versus a loss of 0.25% for CAAA.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BRTR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 5.2% compared with 3.2% for CAAA. 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 -2.3% for CAAA. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.94. 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 CAAA charges 0.30%. On a $10,000 position that is $38 vs $30 annually, a gap of $8 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BRTR currently yields 4.92% against 4.94% for CAAA.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 618 holdings in BRTR and 1 in CAAA, totalling 71.3% and 0.8% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 618 positions we hold weights for in BRTR and 1 in CAAA, against full books of 3,009 and 235.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BRTR and CAAA 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 CAAA?
BRTR has an expense ratio of 0.38% while CAAA charges 0.30%. CAAA is the cheaper option, by $8 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BRTR or CAAA?
Over the past year BRTR returned -1.91% vs +0.08% for CAAA, so CAAA leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BRTR or CAAA?
BRTR has been the more volatile fund at 5.2% annualized versus 3.2% for CAAA. Worst drawdown: BRTR -5.0% vs CAAA -2.3%.
Should I hold both BRTR and CAAA?
BRTR and CAAA have a monthly-return correlation of 0.94, 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 CAAA?
BRTR yields 4.92% while CAAA yields 4.94%, so CAAA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is CAAA better than BRTR?
CAAA has a lower expense ratio. CAAA led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.