AFDAX vs. BULIX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

AFDAX (American Century Sustainable Equity Fund) and BULIX (American Century Utilities Fund) are both mutual funds - AFDAX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by American Century, while BULIX is a Utilities Equities fund managed by American Century. Over the past 10 years, AFDAX returned 14.07%/yr vs 6.89%/yr for BULIX. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. AFDAX charges 1.04%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for BULIX.

Performance

AFDAX vs. BULIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Century Sustainable Equity Fund (AFDAX) and American Century Utilities Fund (BULIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AFDAX achieves a 7.14% return, which is significantly higher than BULIX's 6.60% return. Over the past 10 years, AFDAX has outperformed BULIX with an annualized return of 14.07%, while BULIX has yielded a comparatively lower 6.89% annualized return.

AFDAX

• 1D: 1.01%
• 1M: 0.95%
• YTD: 7.14%
• 6M: 6.69%
• 1Y: 20.89%
• 3Y*: 15.56%
• 5Y*: 10.37%
• 10Y*: 14.07%

BULIX

• 1D: 0.73%
• 1M: -1.00%
• YTD: 6.60%
• 6M: 7.19%
• 1Y: 15.10%
• 3Y*: 14.71%
• 5Y*: 9.09%
• 10Y*: 6.89%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

AFDAX vs. BULIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AFDAX American Century Sustainable Equity Fund	7.14%	10.91%	19.26%	23.90%	-19.72%	28.32%	18.99%	33.51%	-5.12%	25.51%
BULIX American Century Utilities Fund	6.60%	16.76%	24.32%	-7.51%	-4.37%	13.77%	-2.38%	19.94%	1.82%	0.59%

Correlation

The correlation between AFDAX and BULIX is 0.17, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.17
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.29
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.42
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2005	0.62

Over the past year, the correlation between AFDAX and BULIX has dropped to 0.17 - well below their long-term average of 0.61, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

AFDAX vs. BULIX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

AFDAX

AFDAX Risk / Return Rank: 36
AFDAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
AFDAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
AFDAX Omega Ratio Rank: 35
AFDAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
AFDAX Martin Ratio Rank: 45

BULIX

BULIX Risk / Return Rank: 18
BULIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
BULIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
BULIX Omega Ratio Rank: 16
BULIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
BULIX Martin Ratio Rank: 15

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

AFDAX vs. BULIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Century Sustainable Equity Fund (AFDAX) and American Century Utilities Fund (BULIX). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	AFDAX	BULIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.60	1.10	+0.51
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.22	1.54	+0.68
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.19	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.01	1.72	+0.29
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.94	3.95	+4.98

AFDAX vs. BULIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AFDAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.60, which is higher than the BULIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AFDAX and BULIX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

AFDAX vs. BULIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AFDAX drawdown since its inception was -53.00%, roughly equal to the maximum BULIX drawdown of -55.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AFDAX and BULIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AFDAX	BULIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.00%	-55.21%	+2.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.20%	-8.93%	-1.27%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.59%	-16.54%	-4.05%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.67%	-24.56%	-2.11%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.35%	-33.86%	-0.49%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.30%	-5.42%	+4.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.51%	-10.02%	+2.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.29%	3.88%	-1.59%

Volatility

AFDAX vs. BULIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Century Sustainable Equity Fund (AFDAX) is 4.82%, while American Century Utilities Fund (BULIX) has a volatility of 5.08%. This indicates that AFDAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BULIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AFDAX	BULIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.82%	5.08%	-0.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.22%	11.16%	-0.94%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.80%	13.97%	-1.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.45%	16.71%	+0.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.66%	18.06%	+0.60%

AFDAX vs. BULIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AFDAX has a 1.04% expense ratio, which is higher than BULIX's 0.65% expense ratio.

Dividends

AFDAX vs. BULIX - Dividend Comparison

AFDAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 21.49%, more than BULIX's 11.16% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AFDAX American Century Sustainable Equity Fund	21.49%	23.02%	6.42%	1.52%	0.38%	2.15%	0.16%	0.63%	8.15%	2.68%	0.93%	0.83%
BULIX American Century Utilities Fund	11.16%	11.60%	2.36%	2.65%	7.78%	7.50%	7.55%	2.97%	6.91%	7.70%	6.99%	5.87%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AFDAX and BULIX in my portfolio?

AFDAX and BULIX have a correlation of 0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AFDAX or BULIX?

BULIX has higher volatility (5.08%) compared to AFDAX (4.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AFDAX dropped -53.00% vs BULIX's -55.21%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AFDAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.60 vs 1.10), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.