There are over 700 bond ETFs in the FastTrack database. If you're just sorting by returns to pick your holdings, you're flying blind. That's not analysis�that's only half the story. Let me show you how to screen like a professional. I'll use bond ETFs as the example, but this same process works for any asset class.
Alright, I'm in the Sheet. First step is to load the universe I want to analyze. I'm going to pull up all bond ETFs in the FastTrack database. I'll open data sources, select the bond universe, and filter to ETFs only.
There we go�over seven hundred bond ETFs across the entire fixed income spectrum, all loaded instantly with dividend-adjusted historical data.
Now, here's where the methodology matters. I'm not going to sort by raw returns�that tells me nothing about risk. I need the full picture: risk-adjusted performance. So I'm going to rank these by Ulcer Performance Index.
Ulcer Performance Index measures return per unit of downside risk. It's particularly useful for fixed income because it shows you which funds delivered returns without putting investors through excessive volatility or deep drawdowns.
And boom�now I'm looking at the funds with the strongest risk-adjusted performance. These delivered returns efficiently, without excessive pain along the way.
But I don't stop at a ranked list. I need to understand why these funds rank highly. What's driving their performance?
Let's visualize this. I'll open the chart view�it'll show these same funds in the same order.
Perfect. Now look at these charts. See how smooth these top-ranked funds are? Steady climb, minimal drawdowns.
Now watch as I scroll down. Here's where you start seeing chop, volatility, rougher rides. Two funds might end up at similar return levels, but the one with the smoother path scores higher. That's what the Ulcer Performance Index captures.
And if you're managing real money? That journey matters. You need to know what the path looks like, not just where it ends up.
Let's say I'm building a conservative portfolio. I need bond exposure but my client can't stomach volatility. This screen just saved me hours of research�and potentially saved my client from bailing during a drawdown. That's the actual value here.
This entire workflow�loading the universe, screening by sophisticated risk metrics, visualizing the leaders, analyzing what drives performance�takes about two minutes.
That's professional-grade research in under two minutes. Load your universe, rank by what actually matters, analyze what you find.
And this same process works for any asset class. Equity ETFs, sector funds, international markets�whatever you're researching.
Ready to run your own screen? Take 10 minutes today and try this yourself. Pick any asset class and see how fast you move from research paralysis to decision confidence.
Head to new.fasttrack.net to get started.