PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo
DSU vs. WFSPX
Performance
Return for Risk
Dividends
Drawdowns
Volatility

Performance

DSU vs. WFSPX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU) and iShares S&P 500 Index Fund (WFSPX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading graphics...

DSU vs. WFSPX - Yearly Performance Comparison


2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
DSU
BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.
-2.96%5.97%11.13%30.34%-15.51%19.36%1.60%23.84%-10.04%10.68%
WFSPX
iShares S&P 500 Index Fund
-7.06%17.83%24.94%26.25%-18.14%28.63%18.43%31.45%-4.83%21.27%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DSU achieves a -2.96% return, which is significantly higher than WFSPX's -7.06% return. Over the past 10 years, DSU has underperformed WFSPX with an annualized return of 8.10%, while WFSPX has yielded a comparatively higher 13.63% annualized return.


DSU

1D
1.91%
1M
-2.04%
YTD
-2.96%
6M
-4.26%
1Y
3.08%
3Y*
12.06%
5Y*
7.09%
10Y*
8.10%

WFSPX

1D
-0.39%
1M
-7.68%
YTD
-7.06%
6M
-4.63%
1Y
14.40%
3Y*
17.13%
5Y*
11.37%
10Y*
13.63%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.


DSU vs. WFSPX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DSU has a 2.47% expense ratio, which is higher than WFSPX's 0.03% expense ratio.


Return for Risk

DSU vs. WFSPX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DSU
DSU Risk / Return Rank: 1111
Overall Rank
DSU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1010
Sharpe Ratio Rank
DSU Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
Sortino Ratio Rank
DSU Omega Ratio Rank: 1212
Omega Ratio Rank
DSU Calmar Ratio Rank: 1010
Calmar Ratio Rank
DSU Martin Ratio Rank: 1212
Martin Ratio Rank

WFSPX
WFSPX Risk / Return Rank: 4646
Overall Rank
WFSPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4141
Sharpe Ratio Rank
WFSPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 4545
Sortino Ratio Rank
WFSPX Omega Ratio Rank: 5050
Omega Ratio Rank
WFSPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 4141
Calmar Ratio Rank
WFSPX Martin Ratio Rank: 5353
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

DSU vs. WFSPX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU) and iShares S&P 500 Index Fund (WFSPX). 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.


DSUWFSPXDifference

Sharpe ratio

Return per unit of total volatility

0.23

0.84

-0.61

Sortino ratio

Return per unit of downside risk

0.39

1.30

-0.91

Omega ratio

Gain probability vs. loss probability

1.07

1.20

-0.13

Calmar ratio

Return relative to maximum drawdown

0.18

1.06

-0.87

Martin ratio

Return relative to average drawdown

1.01

5.13

-4.12

DSU vs. WFSPX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DSU Sharpe Ratio is 0.23, which is lower than the WFSPX Sharpe Ratio of 0.84. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DSU and WFSPX, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.


Loading graphics...

Sharpe Ratios by Period


DSUWFSPXDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.23

0.84

-0.61

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.61

0.68

-0.07

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.51

0.76

-0.25

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.23

0.13

+0.10

Correlation

The correlation between DSU and WFSPX is 0.31, which is considered to be low. This implies their price changes are not closely related. A low correlation is generally favorable for portfolio diversification, as it helps to reduce overall risk by spreading it across multiple assets with different performance patterns.


Dividends

DSU vs. WFSPX - Dividend Comparison

DSU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.35%, more than WFSPX's 1.58% yield.


TTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
DSU
BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.
12.35%11.64%11.01%9.70%7.56%6.21%7.96%7.43%8.41%6.98%6.60%8.07%
WFSPX
iShares S&P 500 Index Fund
1.58%1.72%1.41%1.50%2.02%1.82%1.66%1.99%2.00%1.62%2.37%2.49%

Drawdowns

DSU vs. WFSPX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DSU drawdown since its inception was -72.03%, which is greater than WFSPX's maximum drawdown of -58.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DSU and WFSPX.


Loading graphics...

Drawdown Indicators


DSUWFSPXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-72.03%

-58.21%

-13.82%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-12.55%

-12.11%

-0.44%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-24.23%

-24.51%

+0.28%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-45.36%

-33.74%

-11.62%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-4.83%

-8.90%

+4.07%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-11.67%

-12.84%

+1.17%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.28%

2.49%

-0.21%

Volatility

DSU vs. WFSPX - Volatility Comparison

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU) and iShares S&P 500 Index Fund (WFSPX) have volatilities of 4.16% and 4.24%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.


Loading graphics...

Volatility by Period


DSUWFSPXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.16%

4.24%

-0.08%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

6.52%

9.08%

-2.56%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

13.36%

18.06%

-4.70%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

11.74%

16.84%

-5.10%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

15.90%

17.98%

-2.08%