BKT vs. VPU

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

BKT (BlackRock Income Trust) and VPU (Vanguard Utilities ETF) are both funds - BKT is a fund fund managed by BlackRock, while VPU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Utilities 25/50 Index. Over the past 10 years, BKT returned 1.11%/yr vs 9.25%/yr for VPU. At a 0.13 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BKT charges 2.06%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VPU.

Performance

BKT vs. VPU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock Income Trust (BKT) and Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BKT achieves a -0.49% return, which is significantly lower than VPU's 6.78% return. Over the past 10 years, BKT has underperformed VPU with an annualized return of 1.11%, while VPU has yielded a comparatively higher 9.25% annualized return.

BKT

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 1.04%
• YTD: -0.49%
• 6M: -0.22%
• 1Y: -0.18%
• 3Y*: 4.34%
• 5Y*: -2.91%
• 10Y*: 1.11%

VPU

• 1D: 0.75%
• 1M: -0.09%
• YTD: 6.78%
• 6M: 6.90%
• 1Y: 13.99%
• 3Y*: 14.85%
• 5Y*: 10.36%
• 10Y*: 9.25%

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

BKT vs. VPU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BKT BlackRock Income Trust	-0.49%	5.92%	3.33%	7.69%	-21.51%	-0.44%	7.36%	14.91%	-2.59%	2.58%
VPU Vanguard Utilities ETF	6.78%	16.46%	23.04%	-7.45%	1.06%	17.40%	-0.74%	24.89%	4.38%	12.44%

Correlation

The correlation between BKT and VPU is 0.23, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.23
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.25
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.18
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.14
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2004	0.13

The correlation between BKT and VPU shifts across timeframes, from 0.13 (all time) to 0.25 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BKT vs. VPU — Risk / Return Rank

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

BKT

BKT Risk / Return Rank: 3
BKT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
BKT Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
BKT Omega Ratio Rank: 2
BKT Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
BKT Martin Ratio Rank: 3

VPU

VPU Risk / Return Rank: 28
VPU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
VPU Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
VPU Omega Ratio Rank: 26
VPU Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
VPU Martin Ratio Rank: 26

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.

BKT vs. VPU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock Income Trust (BKT) 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.

	BKT	VPU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.03	0.98	-1.00
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.01	1.38	-1.37
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.00	1.17	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.03	1.58	-1.61
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.06	3.36	-3.42

BKT vs. VPU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BKT Sharpe Ratio is -0.03, which is lower than the VPU Sharpe Ratio of 0.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BKT and VPU, 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

BKT vs. VPU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BKT drawdown since its inception was -48.86%, which is greater than VPU's maximum drawdown of -46.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BKT and VPU.

Drawdown Indicators

	BKT	VPU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-48.86%	-46.31%	-2.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.24%	-8.90%	+2.66%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.31%	-17.34%	+5.03%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.70%	-25.15%	-10.55%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.70%	-36.42%	+0.72%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-17.97%	-4.02%	-13.95%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.76%	-7.78%	-6.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.92%	4.17%	-1.25%

Volatility

BKT vs. VPU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for BlackRock Income Trust (BKT) is 1.89%, while Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) has a volatility of 5.15%. This indicates that BKT 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.

Volatility by Period

	BKT	VPU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.89%	5.15%	-3.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.99%	11.52%	-6.53%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.81%	14.44%	-7.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.21%	17.03%	-5.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.73%	19.15%	-9.42%

BKT vs. VPU - Expense Ratio Comparison

BKT has a 2.06% expense ratio, which is higher than VPU's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

BKT vs. VPU - Dividend Comparison

BKT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.10%, more than VPU's 2.59% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BKT BlackRock Income Trust	10.10%	9.53%	9.19%	8.69%	8.35%	7.31%	6.80%	6.82%	6.48%	5.15%	5.09%	5.89%
VPU Vanguard Utilities ETF	2.59%	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

Can I hold both BKT and VPU in my portfolio?

BKT and VPU have a correlation of 0.23, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BKT or VPU?

VPU has higher volatility (5.15%) compared to BKT (1.89%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BKT dropped -48.86% vs VPU's -46.31%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VPU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.98 vs -0.03), 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.