BULIX vs. PRUAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BULIX (American Century Utilities Fund) and PRUAX (PGIM Jennison Utility Fund) are both Utilities Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, BULIX returned 6.86%/yr vs 10.47%/yr for PRUAX. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BULIX charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.83%/yr for PRUAX.

Performance

BULIX vs. PRUAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Century Utilities Fund (BULIX) and PGIM Jennison Utility Fund (PRUAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BULIX achieves a 4.40% return, which is significantly higher than PRUAX's 3.61% return. Over the past 10 years, BULIX has underperformed PRUAX with an annualized return of 6.86%, while PRUAX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.47% annualized return.

BULIX

• 1D: 1.70%
• 1M: -5.06%
• YTD: 4.40%
• 6M: 2.91%
• 1Y: 10.79%
• 3Y*: 15.11%
• 5Y*: 8.21%
• 10Y*: 6.86%

PRUAX

• 1D: 2.04%
• 1M: -5.67%
• YTD: 3.61%
• 6M: 1.46%
• 1Y: 10.14%
• 3Y*: 17.80%
• 5Y*: 11.34%
• 10Y*: 10.47%

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

BULIX vs. PRUAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BULIX American Century Utilities Fund	4.40%	16.76%	24.32%	-7.51%	-4.37%	13.77%	-2.38%	19.94%	1.82%	0.59%
PRUAX PGIM Jennison Utility Fund	3.61%	11.47%	39.83%	-3.96%	-0.18%	14.89%	4.14%	27.06%	1.14%	13.78%

Correlation

The correlation between BULIX and PRUAX is 0.96 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.96
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 1, 1993	0.88

The correlation between BULIX and PRUAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BULIX vs. PRUAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BULIX

BULIX Risk / Return Rank: 11
BULIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
BULIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
BULIX Omega Ratio Rank: 10
BULIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
BULIX Martin Ratio Rank: 10

PRUAX

PRUAX Risk / Return Rank: 9
PRUAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
PRUAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
PRUAX Omega Ratio Rank: 8
PRUAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 12
PRUAX Martin Ratio Rank: 9

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.

BULIX vs. PRUAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Century Utilities Fund (BULIX) and PGIM Jennison Utility Fund (PRUAX). 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.

	BULIX	PRUAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.81	0.67	+0.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.17	1.00	+0.18
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.13	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.26	1.13	+0.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.11	2.55	+0.56
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BULIX vs. PRUAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BULIX Sharpe Ratio is 0.81, which is comparable to the PRUAX Sharpe Ratio of 0.67. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BULIX and PRUAX, 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

	BULIX	PRUAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.81	0.67	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.49	0.66	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.38	0.59	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.66	-0.20

Drawdowns

BULIX vs. PRUAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BULIX drawdown since its inception was -55.21%, smaller than the maximum PRUAX drawdown of -58.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BULIX and PRUAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BULIX	PRUAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.21%	-58.20%	+2.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.93%	-9.25%	+0.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.54%	-14.92%	-1.62%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.56%	-20.65%	-3.91%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.86%	-35.54%	+1.68%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.38%	-6.94%	-0.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.03%	-9.43%	-0.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.61%	4.10%	-0.49%

Volatility

BULIX vs. PRUAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Century Utilities Fund (BULIX) is 5.15%, while PGIM Jennison Utility Fund (PRUAX) has a volatility of 5.92%. This indicates that BULIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PRUAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BULIX	PRUAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.15%	5.92%	-0.77%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.14%	12.77%	-1.63%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.85%	15.55%	-1.70%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.71%	17.22%	-0.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.05%	17.89%	+0.16%

BULIX vs. PRUAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BULIX has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is lower than PRUAX's 0.83% expense ratio.

Dividends

BULIX vs. PRUAX - Dividend Comparison

BULIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.93%, which matches PRUAX's 10.95% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BULIX American Century Utilities Fund	10.93%	11.60%	2.36%	2.65%	7.78%	7.50%	7.55%	2.97%	6.91%	7.70%	6.99%	5.87%
PRUAX PGIM Jennison Utility Fund	10.95%	11.24%	18.59%	9.82%	8.33%	13.94%	2.07%	5.62%	9.19%	4.19%	7.64%	11.96%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BULIX and PRUAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, BULIX and PRUAX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, BULIX or PRUAX?

PRUAX has higher volatility (5.92%) compared to BULIX (5.15%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BULIX dropped -55.21% vs PRUAX's -58.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BULIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.81 vs 0.67), 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.