BSCQ vs PAI
Invesco BulletShares 2026 Corporate Bond ETF vs Western Asset Investment Grade Income Fund Inc.
Which is better, BSCQ or PAI?
Each has led over a different period.
BSCQ has a lower expense ratio. BSCQ led over 1Y, 5Y and the full window, PAI over 3Y.
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 | BSCQ | PAI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.10%Best | 0.73% |
| AUM | $3.2B | $119M |
| Dividend Yield | 4.04% | 5.06% |
| Holdings | 256 | 473 |
| YTD Return | +2.94%Best | -6.49% |
| 1Y Return | +3.90%Best | -6.99% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +5.51% | +5.95%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.77%Best | -1.75% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.7%Best | 12.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -16.5%Best | -33.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,917Best | $9,155 |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Franklin Templeton Investments (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Style | Long Term Mid Quality | Long Term Mid Quality |
| Inception | Sep 13, 2016 | Mar 22, 1973 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 16, 2016 to Oct 14, 2026 (10.1 years).
BSCQ vs PAI 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 10.1 years both funds cover.
BSCQ vs PAI Performance
Invesco BulletShares 2026 Corporate Bond ETF (BSCQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Western Asset Investment Grade Income Fund Inc. (PAI) is an ETF from Franklin Templeton Investments (US). Over the past year BSCQ returned +3.90% while PAI returned -6.99%. Year to date, BSCQ is up 2.94% versus a loss of 6.49% for PAI.
Over three years, BSCQ compounded at +5.51% per year against +5.95% for PAI; over five years the annualized figures are +1.77% and -1.75% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, BSCQ has the edge at +1.64% annualized vs -0.19%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PAI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.8% compared with 4.7% for BSCQ. 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 -16.5% for BSCQ and -33.9% for PAI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.56. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BSCQ charges 0.10% per year while PAI charges 0.73%. On a $10,000 position that is $10 vs $73 annually, a gap of $63 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BSCQ currently yields 4.04% against 5.06% for PAI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 82 holdings in BSCQ and 7 in PAI, totalling 100.0% and 2.1% 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 82 positions we hold weights for in BSCQ and 7 in PAI, against full books of 256 and 473.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BSCQ and PAI 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, BSCQ or PAI?
BSCQ has an expense ratio of 0.10% while PAI charges 0.73%. BSCQ is the cheaper option, by $63 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BSCQ or PAI?
Over the past year BSCQ returned +3.90% vs -6.99% for PAI, so BSCQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), BSCQ annualized +1.64% vs -0.19% for PAI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BSCQ or PAI?
PAI has been the more volatile fund at 12.8% annualized versus 4.7% for BSCQ. Worst drawdown: BSCQ -16.5% vs PAI -33.9%.
Should I hold both BSCQ and PAI?
BSCQ and PAI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.56, 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, BSCQ or PAI?
BSCQ yields 4.04% while PAI yields 5.06%, so PAI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is PAI better than BSCQ?
BSCQ has a lower expense ratio. BSCQ led over 1Y, 5Y and the full window, PAI over 3Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.