BUI vs. VYM

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

BUI (BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust) is a stock, while VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) is Dividend fund tracking the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index. Over the past 10 years, BUI returned 11.23%/yr vs 11.70%/yr for VYM. At a 0.43 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

BUI vs. VYM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust (BUI) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BUI achieves a 11.75% return, which is significantly higher than VYM's 10.82% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with BUI having a 11.23% annualized return and VYM not far ahead at 11.70%.

BUI

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.12%
• YTD: 11.75%
• 6M: 15.59%
• 1Y: 26.50%
• 3Y*: 15.62%
• 5Y*: 8.51%
• 10Y*: 11.23%

VYM

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: 1.71%
• YTD: 10.82%
• 6M: 10.58%
• 1Y: 24.30%
• 3Y*: 17.89%
• 5Y*: 11.33%
• 10Y*: 11.70%

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

BUI vs. VYM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BUI BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust	11.75%	21.79%	14.62%	12.29%	-16.77%	12.48%	20.30%	20.60%	-1.81%	26.06%
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF	10.82%	15.42%	17.60%	6.57%	-0.43%	26.20%	1.15%	24.06%	-5.92%	16.42%

Correlation

The correlation between BUI and VYM is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.39
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.46
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.43
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 23, 2011	0.43

The correlation between BUI and VYM shifts across timeframes, from 0.39 (1 year) to 0.52 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BUI vs. VYM — Risk / Return Rank

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

BUI

BUI Risk / Return Rank: 82
BUI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
BUI Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
BUI Omega Ratio Rank: 84
BUI Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
BUI Martin Ratio Rank: 78

VYM

VYM Risk / Return Rank: 80
VYM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
VYM Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
VYM Omega Ratio Rank: 80
VYM Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
VYM Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

BUI vs. VYM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust (BUI) 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.

	BUI	VYM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.76	2.36	-0.60
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.52	3.36	-0.84
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.43	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.96	3.65	-1.68
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.62	13.64	-8.02
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BUI vs. VYM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BUI Sharpe Ratio is 1.76, which is comparable to the VYM Sharpe Ratio of 2.36. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BUI and VYM, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BUI	VYM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.76	2.36	-0.60
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50	0.81	-0.31
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52	0.72	-0.20
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.51	0.50	+0.01

Drawdowns

BUI vs. VYM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BUI drawdown since its inception was -46.49%, smaller than the maximum VYM drawdown of -56.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUI and VYM.

Drawdown Indicators

	BUI	VYM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.49%	-56.98%	+10.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.57%	-6.69%	-6.88%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.27%	-14.46%	-3.81%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.41%	-15.84%	-11.57%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.49%	-35.21%	-11.28%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.16%	-1.89%	-5.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.02%	-7.19%	+1.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.72%	1.79%	+2.93%

Volatility

BUI vs. VYM - Volatility Comparison

BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust (BUI) has a higher volatility of 3.67% compared to Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) at 2.82%. This indicates that BUI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VYM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BUI	VYM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.67%	2.82%	+0.85%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.28%	7.73%	+4.55%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.15%	10.35%	+4.80%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.04%	13.98%	+3.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.82%	16.35%	+5.47%

Dividends

BUI vs. VYM - Dividend Comparison

BUI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.57%, more than VYM's 2.22% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BUI BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust	9.57%	10.39%	6.26%	6.65%	6.99%	5.45%	5.80%	6.51%	7.35%	6.72%	7.89%	8.65%
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF	2.22%	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

Can I hold both BUI and VYM in my portfolio?

BUI and VYM have a correlation of 0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BUI or VYM?

BUI has higher volatility (3.67%) compared to VYM (2.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BUI dropped -46.49% vs VYM's -56.98%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VYM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.36 vs 1.76), 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.