VLPIX vs. BRK-B

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

VLPIX (Virtus Duff & Phelps Select MLP and Energy Fund) is Energy Equities fund managed by Virtus, while BRK-B (Berkshire Hathaway Inc.) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, VLPIX returned 11.89%/yr vs 12.82%/yr for BRK-B. At a 0.46 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

VLPIX vs. BRK-B - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus Duff & Phelps Select MLP and Energy Fund (VLPIX) and Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VLPIX achieves a 19.99% return, which is significantly higher than BRK-B's -6.20% return. Over the past 10 years, VLPIX has underperformed BRK-B with an annualized return of 11.89%, while BRK-B has yielded a comparatively higher 12.82% annualized return.

VLPIX

• 1D: -0.16%
• 1M: -3.54%
• YTD: 19.99%
• 6M: 20.31%
• 1Y: 23.87%
• 3Y*: 26.44%
• 5Y*: 21.97%
• 10Y*: 11.89%

BRK-B

• 1D: 0.26%
• 1M: -0.32%
• YTD: -6.20%
• 6M: -6.94%
• 1Y: -6.23%
• 3Y*: 12.69%
• 5Y*: 10.06%
• 10Y*: 12.82%

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

VLPIX vs. BRK-B - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VLPIX Virtus Duff & Phelps Select MLP and Energy Fund	19.99%	3.49%	41.45%	11.99%	30.81%	44.75%	-18.60%	9.59%	-17.20%	-1.13%
BRK-B Berkshire Hathaway Inc.	-6.20%	10.89%	27.09%	15.46%	3.31%	28.95%	2.37%	10.93%	3.01%	21.62%

Correlation

The correlation between VLPIX and BRK-B is 0.13, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.13
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.31
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.44
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.46
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 14, 2015	0.46

Over the past year, the correlation between VLPIX and BRK-B has dropped to 0.13 - well below their long-term average of 0.46, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

VLPIX vs. BRK-B — Risk / Return Rank

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

VLPIX

VLPIX Risk / Return Rank: 50
VLPIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
VLPIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
VLPIX Omega Ratio Rank: 35
VLPIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
VLPIX Martin Ratio Rank: 53

BRK-B

BRK-B Risk / Return Rank: 17
BRK-B Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
BRK-B Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
BRK-B Omega Ratio Rank: 19
BRK-B Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
BRK-B Martin Ratio Rank: 8

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.

VLPIX vs. BRK-B - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus Duff & Phelps Select MLP and Energy Fund (VLPIX) and Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B). 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.

	VLPIX	BRK-B	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.83	-0.44	+2.27
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.57	-0.51	+3.07
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	0.94	+0.37
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.90	-0.68	+4.58
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.95	-1.36	+12.31
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VLPIX vs. BRK-B - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VLPIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.83, which is higher than the BRK-B Sharpe Ratio of -0.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VLPIX and BRK-B, 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

	VLPIX	BRK-B	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.83	-0.44	+2.27
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.09	0.59	+0.50
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.48	0.66	-0.18
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	0.48	-0.06

Drawdowns

VLPIX vs. BRK-B - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VLPIX drawdown since its inception was -64.56%, which is greater than BRK-B's maximum drawdown of -53.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VLPIX and BRK-B.

Drawdown Indicators

	VLPIX	BRK-B	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.56%	-53.86%	-10.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.65%	-9.42%	+2.77%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.54%	-14.95%	-2.59%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.26%	-26.58%	+5.32%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-64.56%	-29.57%	-34.99%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.65%	-12.65%	+6.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.66%	-11.07%	+0.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.37%	4.73%	-2.36%

Volatility

VLPIX vs. BRK-B - Volatility Comparison

Virtus Duff & Phelps Select MLP and Energy Fund (VLPIX) has a higher volatility of 5.49% compared to Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) at 3.79%. This indicates that VLPIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BRK-B based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VLPIX	BRK-B	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.49%	3.79%	+1.70%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.72%	10.68%	+0.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.03%	14.31%	-0.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.21%	17.11%	+3.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.64%	19.43%	+5.21%

Dividends

VLPIX vs. BRK-B - Dividend Comparison

VLPIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.16%, while BRK-B has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BRK-B Berkshire Hathaway Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VLPIX Virtus Duff & Phelps Select MLP and Energy Fund	8.16%	9.63%	2.61%	3.32%	3.01%	3.66%	5.40%	4.28%	4.04%	2.81%	2.50%	0.92%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VLPIX and BRK-B in my portfolio?

VLPIX and BRK-B have a correlation of 0.13, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VLPIX or BRK-B?

VLPIX has higher volatility (5.49%) compared to BRK-B (3.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VLPIX dropped -64.56% vs BRK-B's -53.86%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VLPIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.83 vs -0.44), 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.