FXU vs. BILT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FXU (First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund) and BILT (iShares Infrastructure Active ETF) are both Utilities Equities funds. FXU is passively managed, while BILT is actively managed. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FXU charges 0.62%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for BILT.

Performance

FXU vs. BILT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund (FXU) and iShares Infrastructure Active ETF (BILT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FXU achieves a 6.16% return, which is significantly lower than BILT's 12.39% return.

FXU

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: -3.16%
• YTD: 6.16%
• 6M: 5.04%
• 1Y: 13.42%
• 3Y*: 17.52%
• 5Y*: 11.68%
• 10Y*: 9.21%

BILT

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -1.24%
• YTD: 12.39%
• 6M: 11.87%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

FXU vs. BILT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
FXU First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund	6.16%	2.62%
BILT iShares Infrastructure Active ETF	12.39%	3.99%

Correlation

The correlation between FXU and BILT is 0.81, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 1, 2025	0.81

Return for Risk

FXU vs. BILT — Risk / Return Rank

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

FXU

FXU Risk / Return Rank: 28
FXU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
FXU Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
FXU Omega Ratio Rank: 26
FXU Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
FXU Martin Ratio Rank: 30

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.

FXU vs. BILT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund (FXU) and iShares Infrastructure Active ETF (BILT). 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.

	FXU	BILT	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.02	—	—
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.45	—	—
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	—	—
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.56	—	—
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	4.43	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FXU	BILT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.02	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.50	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	2.00	-1.58

Drawdowns

FXU vs. BILT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FXU drawdown since its inception was -49.00%, which is greater than BILT's maximum drawdown of -5.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FXU and BILT.

Drawdown Indicators

	FXU	BILT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.00%	-5.38%	-43.62%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.63%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.46%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.87%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.81%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.34%	-2.36%	-4.98%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.64%	-1.44%	-6.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.07%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	FXU	BILT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.65%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.14%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.17%	10.28%	+2.89%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.58%	10.28%	+6.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.33%	10.28%	+8.05%

FXU vs. BILT - Expense Ratio Comparison

FXU has a 0.62% expense ratio, which is higher than BILT's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

FXU vs. BILT - Dividend Comparison

FXU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.20%, more than BILT's 1.33% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BILT iShares Infrastructure Active ETF	1.33%	0.99%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
FXU First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund	2.20%	2.29%	2.41%	2.52%	2.03%	2.00%	3.97%	2.34%	2.40%	3.81%	2.62%	3.90%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FXU and BILT in my portfolio?

FXU and BILT have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, FXU or BILT?

On fees, BILT is cheaper at 0.60% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, FXU or BILT?

BILT is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.62% for FXU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FXU or BILT?

FXU has the higher dividend yield at 2.20%, compared with 1.33% for BILT.

What is the main difference between FXU and BILT?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.62% for FXU and 0.60% for BILT.