BULIX vs. QYLD

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

BULIX (American Century Utilities Fund) and QYLD (Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF) are both funds - BULIX is a Utilities Equities fund managed by American Century, while QYLD is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the CBOE NASDAQ-100 Buy Write V2. Over the past 10 years, BULIX returned 6.70%/yr vs 9.86%/yr for QYLD. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BULIX charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for QYLD.

Performance

BULIX vs. QYLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Century Utilities Fund (BULIX) and Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF (QYLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with BULIX having a 8.80% return and QYLD slightly higher at 9.09%. Over the past 10 years, BULIX has underperformed QYLD with an annualized return of 6.70%, while QYLD has yielded a comparatively higher 9.86% annualized return.

BULIX

• 1D: 0.61%
• 1M: 2.64%
• 6M: 8.80%
• YTD: 8.80%
• 1Y: 13.93%
• 3Y*: 15.89%
• 5Y*: 9.15%
• 10Y*: 6.70%

QYLD

• 1D: -1.68%
• 1M: 1.35%
• 6M: 7.69%
• YTD: 9.09%
• 1Y: 22.00%
• 3Y*: 13.25%
• 5Y*: 8.29%
• 10Y*: 9.86%

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

BULIX vs. QYLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BULIX American Century Utilities Fund	8.80%	16.76%	24.32%	-7.51%	-4.37%	13.77%	-2.38%	19.94%	1.82%	0.59%
QYLD Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF	9.09%	9.28%	19.35%	22.77%	-19.08%	10.41%	8.72%	22.69%	-3.07%	18.79%

Correlation

The correlation between BULIX and QYLD is -0.02, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.02
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.11
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.29
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 12, 2013	0.30

The correlation between BULIX and QYLD shifts across timeframes, from -0.02 (1 year) to 0.30 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BULIX vs. QYLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

BULIX

BULIX Risk / Return Rank: 21
BULIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
BULIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
BULIX Omega Ratio Rank: 19
BULIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
BULIX Martin Ratio Rank: 18

QYLD

QYLD Risk / Return Rank: 88
QYLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
QYLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
QYLD Omega Ratio Rank: 89
QYLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
QYLD Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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. QYLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Century Utilities Fund (BULIX) and Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF (QYLD). 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.

	BULIX	QYLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.97	2.09	-1.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.38	2.96	-1.58
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.44	-0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.53	4.45	-2.91
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.44	23.14	-19.70

BULIX vs. QYLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BULIX Sharpe Ratio is 0.97, which is lower than the QYLD Sharpe Ratio of 2.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BULIX and QYLD, 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

BULIX vs. QYLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BULIX drawdown since its inception was -55.21%, which is greater than QYLD's maximum drawdown of -24.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BULIX and QYLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	BULIX	QYLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.21%	-24.75%	-30.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.93%	-4.97%	-3.96%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.54%	-19.06%	+2.52%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.56%	-24.61%	+0.05%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.86%	-24.75%	-9.11%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.48%	-1.68%	-1.80%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.01%	-3.81%	-6.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.97%	0.95%	+3.02%

Volatility

BULIX vs. QYLD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Century Utilities Fund (BULIX) is 4.30%, while Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF (QYLD) has a volatility of 5.77%. This indicates that BULIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QYLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BULIX	QYLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.30%	5.77%	-1.47%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.30%	9.39%	+1.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.16%	10.57%	+3.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.74%	14.96%	+1.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.08%	15.59%	+2.49%

BULIX vs. QYLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

BULIX has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than QYLD's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

BULIX vs. QYLD - Dividend Comparison

BULIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.40%, less than QYLD's 11.55% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BULIX American Century Utilities Fund	10.40%	11.60%	2.36%	2.65%	7.78%	7.50%	7.55%	2.97%	6.91%	7.70%	6.99%	5.87%
QYLD Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF	11.55%	11.55%	12.50%	11.78%	13.75%	12.85%	11.16%	9.84%	12.44%	7.69%	9.15%	9.42%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BULIX and QYLD in my portfolio?

BULIX and QYLD have a correlation of -0.02, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BULIX or QYLD?

QYLD has higher volatility (5.77%) compared to BULIX (4.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BULIX dropped -55.21% vs QYLD's -24.75%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QYLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.09 vs 0.97), 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.