BILT vs. FXU

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

BILT (iShares Infrastructure Active ETF) and FXU (First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund) are both Utilities Equities funds. BILT is actively managed, while FXU is passively managed. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BILT charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.62%/yr for FXU.

Performance

BILT vs. FXU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Infrastructure Active ETF (BILT) and First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund (FXU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BILT achieves a 12.84% return, which is significantly higher than FXU's 6.79% return.

BILT

• 1D: 0.40%
• 1M: -1.04%
• YTD: 12.84%
• 6M: 12.40%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FXU

• 1D: 0.59%
• 1M: -2.33%
• YTD: 6.79%
• 6M: 6.17%
• 1Y: 16.12%
• 3Y*: 17.63%
• 5Y*: 11.81%
• 10Y*: 9.27%

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

BILT vs. FXU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
BILT iShares Infrastructure Active ETF	12.84%	3.99%
FXU First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund	6.79%	2.62%

Correlation

The correlation between BILT and FXU is 0.81, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 1, 2025	0.81

Return for Risk

BILT vs. FXU — Risk / Return Rank

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

FXU

FXU Risk / Return Rank: 35
FXU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
FXU Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
FXU Omega Ratio Rank: 32
FXU Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
FXU Martin Ratio Rank: 35

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.

BILT vs. FXU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Infrastructure Active ETF (BILT) and First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund (FXU). 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BILT	FXU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	1.24	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.72	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.51	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.05	0.42	+1.63

Drawdowns

BILT vs. FXU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BILT drawdown since its inception was -5.38%, smaller than the maximum FXU drawdown of -49.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BILT and FXU.

Drawdown Indicators

	BILT	FXU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-5.38%	-49.00%	+43.62%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-8.63%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-17.46%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-21.87%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-34.81%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.97%	-6.80%	+4.83%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.44%	-7.64%	+6.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	3.07%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	BILT	FXU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	4.71%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	10.07%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.26%	13.18%	-2.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.26%	16.58%	-6.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.26%	18.32%	-8.06%

BILT vs. FXU - Expense Ratio Comparison

BILT has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than FXU's 0.62% expense ratio.

Dividends

BILT vs. FXU - Dividend Comparison

BILT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.33%, less than FXU's 2.19% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BILT iShares Infrastructure Active ETF	1.33%	0.99%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
FXU First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund	2.19%	2.29%	2.41%	2.52%	2.03%	2.00%	3.97%	2.34%	2.40%	3.81%	2.62%	3.90%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BILT and FXU in my portfolio?

BILT and FXU have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, BILT or FXU?

On fees, BILT is cheaper at 0.60% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, BILT or FXU?

BILT is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.62% for FXU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BILT or FXU?

FXU has the higher dividend yield at 2.19%, compared with 1.33% for BILT.

What is the main difference between BILT and FXU?

They also come from different issuers: iShares and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for BILT and 0.62% for FXU.