POWR vs. BUI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

POWR (iShares U.S. Power Infrastructure ETF) is Utilities Equities fund actively managed by iShares, while BUI (BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, POWR returned 8.66%/yr vs 11.01%/yr for BUI. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

POWR vs. BUI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares U.S. Power Infrastructure ETF (POWR) and BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust (BUI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, POWR achieves a 18.53% return, which is significantly higher than BUI's 10.89% return. Over the past 10 years, POWR has underperformed BUI with an annualized return of 8.66%, while BUI has yielded a comparatively higher 11.01% annualized return.

POWR

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: -0.93%
• YTD: 18.53%
• 6M: 15.28%
• 1Y: 28.87%
• 3Y*: 12.09%
• 5Y*: 15.16%
• 10Y*: 8.66%

BUI

• 1D: -0.91%
• 1M: -2.25%
• YTD: 10.89%
• 6M: 12.92%
• 1Y: 26.51%
• 3Y*: 16.31%
• 5Y*: 7.96%
• 10Y*: 11.01%

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

POWR vs. BUI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
POWR iShares U.S. Power Infrastructure ETF	18.53%	10.81%	-1.30%	3.66%	42.54%	42.03%	-28.30%	8.44%	-11.74%	9.69%
BUI BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust	10.89%	21.79%	14.62%	12.29%	-16.77%	12.48%	20.30%	20.60%	-1.81%	26.06%

Correlation

The correlation between POWR and BUI is 0.31, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.31
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.25
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.29
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.29
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 3, 2012	0.30

Return for Risk

POWR vs. BUI — Risk / Return Rank

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

POWR

POWR Risk / Return Rank: 59
POWR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
POWR Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
POWR Omega Ratio Rank: 47
POWR Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
POWR Martin Ratio Rank: 66

BUI

BUI Risk / Return Rank: 80
BUI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
BUI Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
BUI Omega Ratio Rank: 83
BUI Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
BUI Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

POWR vs. BUI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Power Infrastructure ETF (POWR) and BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust (BUI). 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.

	POWR	BUI	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.74	1.76	-0.02
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.41	2.52	-0.11
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.34	-0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.85	1.96	+2.88
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.19	5.70	+6.49
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

POWR vs. BUI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current POWR Sharpe Ratio is 1.74, which is comparable to the BUI Sharpe Ratio of 1.76. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of POWR and BUI, 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

	POWR	BUI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.74	1.76	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66	0.47	+0.19
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.34	0.51	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.19	0.51	-0.32

Drawdowns

POWR vs. BUI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum POWR drawdown since its inception was -65.98%, which is greater than BUI's maximum drawdown of -46.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for POWR and BUI.

Drawdown Indicators

	POWR	BUI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-65.98%	-46.49%	-19.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.98%	-13.57%	+7.59%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.14%	-18.27%	-4.87%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.09%	-27.41%	+2.32%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-63.42%	-46.49%	-16.93%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.45%	-7.88%	+6.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.15%	-6.02%	-12.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.38%	4.66%	-2.28%

Volatility

POWR vs. BUI - Volatility Comparison

iShares U.S. Power Infrastructure ETF (POWR) has a higher volatility of 5.80% compared to BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust (BUI) at 3.60%. This indicates that POWR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BUI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	POWR	BUI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.80%	3.60%	+2.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.35%	12.26%	+0.09%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.65%	15.12%	+1.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.08%	17.04%	+6.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.62%	21.83%	+3.79%

Dividends

POWR vs. BUI - Dividend Comparison

POWR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.67%, less than BUI's 9.65% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BUI BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust	9.65%	10.39%	6.26%	6.65%	6.99%	5.45%	5.80%	6.51%	7.35%	6.72%	7.89%	8.65%
POWR iShares U.S. Power Infrastructure ETF	6.67%	7.56%	4.36%	4.16%	4.82%	3.94%	3.96%	5.71%	3.17%	3.11%	2.75%	3.42%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both POWR and BUI in my portfolio?

POWR and BUI have a correlation of 0.31, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, POWR or BUI?

POWR has higher volatility (5.80%) compared to BUI (3.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, POWR dropped -65.98% vs BUI's -46.49%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.76 vs 1.74), 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.