VPU vs. BRLN
VPU (Vanguard Utilities ETF) and BRLN (BlackRock Floating Rate Loan ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VPU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Utilities 25/50 Index, while BRLN is a Bank Loan fund actively managed by BlackRock. VPU is passively managed, while BRLN is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, VPU returned 14.00%/yr vs 7.16%/yr for BRLN. At a 0.03 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VPU charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for BRLN.
Performance
VPU vs. BRLN - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VPU achieves a 4.64% return, which is significantly higher than BRLN's 0.79% return.
VPU
- 1D
- 0.79%
- 1M
- -2.87%
- YTD
- 4.64%
- 6M
- 3.87%
- 1Y
- 13.20%
- 3Y*
- 14.00%
- 5Y*
- 9.41%
- 10Y*
- 9.18%
BRLN
- 1D
- -0.65%
- 1M
- 0.16%
- YTD
- 0.79%
- 6M
- 1.42%
- 1Y
- 4.48%
- 3Y*
- 7.16%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
VPU vs. BRLN - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VPU Vanguard Utilities ETF | 4.64% | 16.46% | 23.04% | -7.45% | 9.12% |
BRLN BlackRock Floating Rate Loan ETF | 0.79% | 5.38% | 7.49% | 13.42% | 2.13% |
Correlation
The correlation between VPU and BRLN is -0.13, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.13 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.05 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 7, 2022 | 0.03 |
The correlation between VPU and BRLN shifts across timeframes, from -0.13 (1 year) to 0.05 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VPU vs. BRLN — Risk / Return Rank
VPU
BRLN
VPU vs. BRLN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) and BlackRock Floating Rate Loan ETF (BRLN). 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.
| VPU | BRLN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.51 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.85 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.17 | 1.28 | -0.11 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.49 | 2.24 | -0.76 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.31 | 8.69 | -5.38 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| VPU | BRLN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.93 | 1.44 | -0.51 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.55 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.48 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.54 | 2.13 | -1.59 |
Drawdowns
VPU vs. BRLN - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VPU drawdown since its inception was -46.31%, which is greater than BRLN's maximum drawdown of -3.85%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VPU and BRLN.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VPU | BRLN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -46.31% | -3.85% | -42.46% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.90% | -2.00% | -6.90% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -17.34% | -3.85% | -13.49% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.15% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -36.42% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -5.95% | -0.76% | -5.19% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.78% | -0.31% | -7.47% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.99% | 0.52% | +3.47% |
Volatility
VPU vs. BRLN - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) has a higher volatility of 5.40% compared to BlackRock Floating Rate Loan ETF (BRLN) at 1.05%. This indicates that VPU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BRLN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VPU | BRLN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.40% | 1.05% | +4.35% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.38% | 2.33% | +9.05% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 14.23% | 3.13% | +11.10% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.05% | 3.74% | +13.31% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.12% | 3.74% | +15.38% |
VPU vs. BRLN - Expense Ratio Comparison
VPU has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than BRLN's 0.55% expense ratio.
Dividends
VPU vs. BRLN - Dividend Comparison
VPU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.65%, less than BRLN's 6.39% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BRLN BlackRock Floating Rate Loan ETF | 6.39% | 6.50% | 7.87% | 9.06% | 1.48% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VPU Vanguard Utilities ETF | 2.65% | 2.73% | 3.02% | 3.49% | 2.98% | 2.70% | 3.17% | 2.83% | 3.23% | 3.18% | 3.19% | 3.63% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VPU and BRLN 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.
VPU has higher volatility (5.40%) compared to BRLN (1.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VPU dropped -46.31% vs BRLN's -3.85%.
On 3-year performance, VPU leads with 14.00% vs 7.16% for BRLN. On fees, VPU is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, BRLN has been the lower-risk option at 1.05%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, VPU has performed better with a 14.00% return vs 7.16%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VPU is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for BRLN.
BRLN has the higher dividend yield at 6.39%, compared with 2.65% for VPU.
VPU is categorized as Utilities Equities, while BRLN is Bank Loan. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and BlackRock. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for VPU and 0.55% for BRLN.
BRLN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.44 vs 0.93), 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.
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