XSLCX vs. DSU

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

XSLCX (Invesco Senior Loan Fund Class IC) and DSU (BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.) are both Bank Loan funds. Over the past 5 years, XSLCX returned 3.89%/yr vs 6.89%/yr for DSU. At a 0.28 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. XSLCX charges 1.60%/yr vs 2.47%/yr for DSU.

Performance

XSLCX vs. DSU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco Senior Loan Fund Class IC (XSLCX) and BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XSLCX achieves a -1.19% return, which is significantly lower than DSU's 1.17% return.

XSLCX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.45%
• YTD: -1.19%
• 6M: -0.54%
• 1Y: 1.17%
• 3Y*: 4.94%
• 5Y*: 3.89%
• 10Y*: —

DSU

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -0.31%
• YTD: 1.17%
• 6M: 0.77%
• 1Y: 4.22%
• 3Y*: 12.20%
• 5Y*: 6.89%
• 10Y*: 8.09%

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

XSLCX vs. DSU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XSLCX Invesco Senior Loan Fund Class IC	-1.19%	4.54%	6.88%	9.95%	-3.06%	8.31%	1.15%	7.58%	-0.23%	2.53%
DSU BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.	1.17%	5.97%	11.13%	30.34%	-15.51%	19.36%	1.60%	23.84%	-10.04%	9.33%

Correlation

The correlation between XSLCX and DSU is 0.23, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.23
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.20
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.28
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 1, 2017	0.28

Return for Risk

XSLCX vs. DSU — Risk / Return Rank

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

XSLCX

XSLCX Risk / Return Rank: 6
XSLCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
XSLCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
XSLCX Omega Ratio Rank: 8
XSLCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
XSLCX Martin Ratio Rank: 5

DSU

DSU Risk / Return Rank: 7
DSU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
DSU Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
DSU Omega Ratio Rank: 7
DSU Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
DSU 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.

XSLCX vs. DSU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco Senior Loan Fund Class IC (XSLCX) and BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	XSLCX	DSU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.41	0.52	-0.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.83	0.83	-0.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.10	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.38	0.59	-0.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.78	2.13	-1.35

XSLCX vs. DSU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XSLCX Sharpe Ratio is 0.41, which is comparable to the DSU Sharpe Ratio of 0.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XSLCX and DSU, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

XSLCX vs. DSU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XSLCX drawdown since its inception was -23.53%, smaller than the maximum DSU drawdown of -72.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XSLCX and DSU.

Drawdown Indicators

	XSLCX	DSU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.53%	-72.03%	+48.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.40%	-7.21%	+3.81%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.84%	-14.59%	+10.75%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-8.64%	-24.23%	+15.59%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-45.36%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.10%	-1.32%	-0.78%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.63%	-11.59%	+9.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.58%	1.99%	-0.41%

Volatility

XSLCX vs. DSU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Invesco Senior Loan Fund Class IC (XSLCX) is 0.93%, while BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU) has a volatility of 2.20%. This indicates that XSLCX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DSU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XSLCX	DSU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.93%	2.20%	-1.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.16%	6.41%	-4.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.20%	8.16%	-4.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.16%	11.75%	-7.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.90%	15.91%	-11.01%

XSLCX vs. DSU - Expense Ratio Comparison

XSLCX has a 1.60% expense ratio, which is lower than DSU's 2.47% expense ratio.

Dividends

XSLCX vs. DSU - Dividend Comparison

XSLCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.25%, less than DSU's 12.21% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DSU BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.	12.21%	11.64%	11.01%	9.70%	7.56%	6.21%	7.96%	7.43%	8.41%	6.98%	6.60%	8.07%
XSLCX Invesco Senior Loan Fund Class IC	5.25%	6.75%	8.60%	7.87%	8.89%	4.85%	4.32%	4.82%	5.06%	2.19%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XSLCX and DSU in my portfolio?

XSLCX and DSU have a correlation of 0.23, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XSLCX or DSU?

DSU has higher volatility (2.20%) compared to XSLCX (0.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XSLCX dropped -23.53% vs DSU's -72.03%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DSU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.52 vs 0.41), 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.