BILT vs. VPU
BILT (iShares Infrastructure Active ETF) and VPU (Vanguard Utilities ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BILT is a Infrastructure Equities fund actively managed by iShares, while VPU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Utilities 25/50 Index. BILT is actively managed, while VPU is passively managed. Over the past year, BILT returned 17.98% vs 6.03% for VPU. Their 0.75 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. BILT charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VPU.
Performance
BILT vs. VPU - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BILT achieves a 14.30% return, which is significantly higher than VPU's 4.72% return.
BILT
- 1D
- 0.11%
- 1M
- -1.05%
- 6M
- 8.99%
- YTD
- 14.30%
- 1Y
- 17.98%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 19.07%
VPU
- 1D
- -0.71%
- 1M
- -3.20%
- 6M
- 3.07%
- YTD
- 4.72%
- 1Y
- 6.03%
- 3Y*
- 13.39%
- 5Y*
- 9.10%
- 10Y*
- 8.75%
- ALL TIME*
- 9.71%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $2.38M | $1.70M | $1.65M | |
| $43.24M | $41.48M | $43.21M |
BILT vs. VPU - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
BILT iShares Infrastructure Active ETF | 14.30% | 4.16% |
VPU Vanguard Utilities ETF | 4.72% | 1.92% |
Correlation
The correlation between BILT and VPU is 0.75, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.75 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 31, 2025 | 0.75 |
The correlation between BILT and VPU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.75 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
BILT vs. VPU — Risk / Return Rank
BILT
VPU
BILT vs. VPU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Infrastructure Active ETF (BILT) and Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU). 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.
| BILT | VPU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.42 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.90 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.33 | 1.08 | +0.25 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.52 | 0.68 | +2.83 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.60 | 1.40 | +9.19 |
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Drawdowns
BILT vs. VPU - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BILT drawdown since its inception was -5.38%, smaller than the maximum VPU drawdown of -46.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BILT and VPU.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BILT | VPU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -5.38% | -46.31% | +40.93% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -5.38% | -8.90% | +3.52% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -12.95% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -25.15% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -36.42% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.25% | -5.88% | +3.63% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -1.36% | -7.76% | +6.40% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.78% | 4.33% | -2.55% |
Volatility
BILT vs. VPU - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares Infrastructure Active ETF (BILT) is 3.10%, while Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) has a volatility of 4.41%. This indicates that BILT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VPU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| BILT | VPU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.10% | 4.41% | -1.31% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 8.44% | 11.79% | -3.35% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 10.31% | 14.72% | -4.41% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 10.31% | 17.05% | -6.74% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 10.31% | 19.16% | -8.85% |
BILT vs. VPU - Expense Ratio Comparison
BILT has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than VPU's 0.09% expense ratio.
Dividends
BILT vs. VPU - Dividend Comparison
BILT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.70%, more than VPU's 2.70% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BILT iShares Infrastructure Active ETF | 5.70% | 0.99% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VPU Vanguard Utilities ETF | 2.70% | 2.73% | 3.02% | 3.49% | 2.98% | 2.70% | 3.17% | 2.83% | 3.23% | 3.18% | 3.19% | 3.63% |
Frequently Asked Questions
BILT and VPU have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VPU has higher volatility (4.41%) compared to BILT (3.10%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BILT dropped -5.38% vs VPU's -46.31%.
On 1-year performance, BILT leads with 17.98% vs 6.03% for VPU. On fees, VPU is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, BILT has been the lower-risk option at 3.10%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, BILT has performed better with a 17.98% return vs 6.03%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VPU is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for BILT.
BILT has the higher dividend yield at 5.70%, compared with 2.70% for VPU.
BILT is categorized as Infrastructure Equities, while VPU is Utilities Equities. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for BILT and 0.09% for VPU.
BILT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.84 vs 0.41), 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.
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