BKT vs. VYM
BKT (BlackRock Income Trust) and VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) are both funds - BKT is a fund fund managed by BlackRock, while VYM is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index. Over the past 10 years, BKT returned 1.11%/yr vs 11.98%/yr for VYM. At a 0.11 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BKT charges 2.06%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VYM.
Performance
BKT vs. VYM - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BKT achieves a -0.49% return, which is significantly lower than VYM's 11.51% return. Over the past 10 years, BKT has underperformed VYM with an annualized return of 1.11%, while VYM has yielded a comparatively higher 11.98% 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%
VYM
- 1D
- -0.16%
- 1M
- 0.26%
- YTD
- 11.51%
- 6M
- 10.83%
- 1Y
- 24.08%
- 3Y*
- 18.41%
- 5Y*
- 11.88%
- 10Y*
- 11.98%
BKT vs. VYM - 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% |
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | 11.51% | 15.42% | 17.60% | 6.57% | -0.43% | 26.20% | 1.15% | 24.06% | -5.92% | 16.42% |
Correlation
The correlation between BKT and VYM is 0.37, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.37 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.26 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.19 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.11 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 16, 2006 | 0.11 |
Over the past year, BKT and VYM have become more correlated (0.37) than their long-term average of 0.11, meaning their price movements have been converging.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
BKT vs. VYM — Risk / Return Rank
BKT
VYM
BKT vs. VYM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock Income Trust (BKT) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM). 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 | VYM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -2.36 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -3.32 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.00 | 1.42 | -0.42 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.03 | 3.61 | -3.64 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.06 | 13.43 | -13.49 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
BKT vs. VYM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BKT drawdown since its inception was -48.86%, smaller than the maximum VYM drawdown of -56.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BKT and VYM.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| BKT | VYM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -48.86% | -56.98% | +8.12% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -6.24% | -6.69% | +0.45% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -12.31% | -14.46% | +2.15% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -35.70% | -15.84% | -19.86% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.70% | -35.21% | -0.49% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -17.97% | -1.28% | -16.69% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -14.76% | -7.18% | -7.58% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.92% | 1.80% | +1.12% |
Volatility
BKT vs. VYM - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for BlackRock Income Trust (BKT) is 1.89%, while Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) has a volatility of 3.02%. This indicates that BKT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VYM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| BKT | VYM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.89% | 3.02% | -1.13% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 4.99% | 7.64% | -2.65% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 6.81% | 10.39% | -3.58% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 11.21% | 13.93% | -2.72% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 9.73% | 16.32% | -6.59% |
BKT vs. VYM - Expense Ratio Comparison
BKT has a 2.06% expense ratio, which is higher than VYM's 0.04% expense ratio.
Dividends
BKT vs. VYM - Dividend Comparison
BKT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.10%, more than VYM's 2.30% 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% |
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | 2.30% | 2.44% | 2.74% | 3.12% | 3.01% | 2.76% | 3.18% | 3.03% | 3.40% | 2.80% | 2.91% | 3.22% |
Frequently Asked Questions
BKT and VYM have a correlation of 0.37, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VYM has higher volatility (3.02%) compared to BKT (1.89%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BKT dropped -48.86% vs VYM's -56.98%.
VYM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 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.
Find the right allocation for BKT and VYM
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer