DSU vs. VT
DSU (BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.) and VT (Vanguard Total World Stock ETF) are both funds - DSU is a Bank Loan fund managed by BlackRock, while VT is a Global Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap Index. Over the past 10 years, DSU returned 7.64%/yr vs 12.39%/yr for VT. Their 0.39 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. DSU charges 2.47%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for VT.
Performance
DSU vs. VT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DSU achieves a -0.75% return, which is significantly lower than VT's 11.15% return. Over the past 10 years, DSU has underperformed VT with an annualized return of 7.64%, while VT has yielded a comparatively higher 12.39% annualized return.
DSU
- 1D
- 0.32%
- 1M
- -1.99%
- 6M
- -1.99%
- YTD
- -0.75%
- 1Y
- 0.25%
- 3Y*
- 9.32%
- 5Y*
- 6.96%
- 10Y*
- 7.64%
- ALL TIME*
- 5.00%
VT
- 1D
- 0.26%
- 1M
- -0.20%
- 6M
- 7.80%
- YTD
- 11.15%
- 1Y
- 23.51%
- 3Y*
- 18.19%
- 5Y*
- 10.58%
- 10Y*
- 12.39%
- ALL TIME*
- 8.81%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $3.25M | $3.55M | $3.30M | |
| $425.08M | $369.63M | $481.55M |
DSU vs. VT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DSU BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. | -0.75% | 5.97% | 11.13% | 30.34% | -15.51% | 19.36% | 1.60% | 23.84% | -10.04% | 10.68% |
VT Vanguard Total World Stock ETF | 11.15% | 22.43% | 16.49% | 22.02% | -18.00% | 18.27% | 16.59% | 26.81% | -9.76% | 24.50% |
Correlation
The correlation between DSU and VT is 0.42, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.42 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.39 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.45 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.44 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2008 | 0.39 |
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Return for Risk
DSU vs. VT — Risk / Return Rank
DSU
VT
DSU vs. VT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU) and Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT). 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.
| DSU | VT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.56 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.13 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.01 | 1.29 | -0.27 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.04 | 2.29 | -2.26 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 0.12 | 9.54 | -9.42 |
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Drawdowns
DSU vs. VT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DSU drawdown since its inception was -72.03%, which is greater than VT's maximum drawdown of -50.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DSU and VT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DSU | VT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -72.03% | -50.27% | -21.76% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.21% | -9.67% | +2.46% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -14.59% | -16.51% | +1.92% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.23% | -26.38% | +2.15% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -45.36% | -34.24% | -11.12% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.18% | -1.84% | -1.34% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -11.55% | -6.97% | -4.58% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.11% | 2.32% | -0.21% |
Volatility
DSU vs. VT - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU) is 1.99%, while Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) has a volatility of 3.99%. This indicates that DSU experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| DSU | VT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.99% | 3.99% | -2.00% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 6.46% | 11.68% | -5.22% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 8.30% | 13.96% | -5.66% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 11.73% | 16.22% | -4.49% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 15.90% | 17.18% | -1.28% |
DSU vs. VT - Expense Ratio Comparison
DSU has a 2.47% expense ratio, which is higher than VT's 0.06% expense ratio.
Dividends
DSU vs. VT - Dividend Comparison
DSU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.58%, more than VT's 1.59% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DSU BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. | 12.58% | 11.64% | 11.01% | 9.70% | 7.56% | 6.21% | 7.96% | 7.43% | 8.41% | 6.98% | 6.60% | 8.07% |
VT Vanguard Total World Stock ETF | 1.59% | 1.82% | 1.95% | 2.08% | 2.20% | 1.82% | 1.66% | 2.32% | 2.53% | 2.11% | 2.39% | 2.45% |
Frequently Asked Questions
DSU and VT have a correlation of 0.42, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VT has higher volatility (3.99%) compared to DSU (1.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DSU dropped -72.03% vs VT's -50.27%.
VT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.59 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.
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