VONG vs. BUI

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VONG (Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF) is Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Russell 1000 Growth Index, while BUI (BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, VONG returned 18.32%/yr vs 11.23%/yr for BUI. At a 0.34 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

VONG vs. BUI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (VONG) 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, VONG achieves a 4.12% return, which is significantly lower than BUI's 11.75% return. Over the past 10 years, VONG has outperformed BUI with an annualized return of 18.32%, while BUI has yielded a comparatively lower 11.23% annualized return.

VONG

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: -0.46%
• YTD: 4.12%
• 6M: 3.06%
• 1Y: 21.24%
• 3Y*: 23.77%
• 5Y*: 14.57%
• 10Y*: 18.32%

BUI

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.12%
• YTD: 11.75%
• 6M: 15.59%
• 1Y: 26.50%
• 3Y*: 15.62%
• 5Y*: 8.51%
• 10Y*: 11.23%

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

VONG vs. BUI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VONG Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF	4.12%	18.45%	33.20%	42.67%	-29.18%	27.60%	38.30%	36.06%	-1.53%	30.05%
BUI BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust	11.75%	21.79%	14.62%	12.29%	-16.77%	12.48%	20.30%	20.60%	-1.81%	26.06%

Correlation

The correlation between VONG and BUI is 0.22, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.22
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.27
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.36
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.33
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 23, 2011	0.34

The correlation between VONG and BUI shifts across timeframes, from 0.22 (1 year) to 0.36 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VONG vs. BUI — Risk / Return Rank

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

VONG

VONG Risk / Return Rank: 37
VONG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
VONG Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
VONG Omega Ratio Rank: 41
VONG Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
VONG Martin Ratio Rank: 32

BUI

BUI Risk / Return Rank: 82
BUI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
BUI Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
BUI Omega Ratio Rank: 84
BUI Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
BUI Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

VONG vs. BUI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (VONG) 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.

	VONG	BUI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.36	1.76	-0.40
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.87	2.52	-0.66
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.34	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.31	1.96	-0.65
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.39	5.62	-1.24
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VONG vs. BUI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VONG Sharpe Ratio is 1.36, which is comparable to the BUI Sharpe Ratio of 1.76. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VONG 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

	VONG	BUI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.36	1.76	-0.40
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69	0.50	+0.18
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88	0.52	+0.36
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.89	0.51	+0.38

Drawdowns

VONG vs. BUI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VONG drawdown since its inception was -32.72%, smaller than the maximum BUI drawdown of -46.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VONG and BUI.

Drawdown Indicators

	VONG	BUI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.72%	-46.49%	+13.77%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.23%	-13.57%	-2.66%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.27%	-18.27%	-5.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.72%	-27.41%	-5.31%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.72%	-46.49%	+13.77%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.47%	-7.16%	+2.69%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.88%	-6.02%	+1.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.85%	4.72%	+0.13%

Volatility

VONG vs. BUI - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (VONG) has a higher volatility of 4.78% compared to BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust (BUI) at 3.67%. This indicates that VONG'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

	VONG	BUI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.78%	3.67%	+1.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.08%	12.28%	-0.20%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.71%	15.15%	+0.56%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.38%	17.04%	+4.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.90%	21.82%	-0.92%

Dividends

VONG vs. BUI - Dividend Comparison

VONG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.44%, less than BUI's 9.57% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BUI BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust	9.57%	10.39%	6.26%	6.65%	6.99%	5.45%	5.80%	6.51%	7.35%	6.72%	7.89%	8.65%
VONG Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF	0.44%	0.45%	0.55%	0.71%	0.98%	0.58%	0.77%	1.03%	1.18%	1.19%	1.48%	1.47%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VONG and BUI in my portfolio?

VONG and BUI have a correlation of 0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VONG or BUI?

VONG has higher volatility (4.78%) compared to BUI (3.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VONG dropped -32.72% vs BUI's -46.49%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.76 vs 1.36), 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.