BUI vs SSPY
BlackRock Utility Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust vs Stratified LargeCap Index ETF
Which is better, BUI or SSPY?
SSPY has been ahead.
SSPY has a lower expense ratio. SSPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SSPY is less concentrated, with 8.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 39.6%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | BUI | SSPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.07% | 0.45%Best |
| AUM | $687M | $129M |
| Dividend Yield | 10.99% | 1.25% |
| Holdings | 54 | 1,013 |
| YTD Return | +3.71% | +12.63%Best |
| 1Y Return | +6.35% | +15.52%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.33% | +15.71%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.84% | +8.93%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.4% | 16.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -48.3% | -36.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,585 | $15,337Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 39.6% | 8.9%Best |
| Fund Family | BlackRock, Inc. (US) | Syntax Stratified |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Nov 23, 2011 | Jan 2, 2019 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 4, 2019 to Oct 14, 2026 (7.8 years).
BUI vs SSPY growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 7.8 years both funds cover.
BUI vs SSPY Performance
BlackRock Utility Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust (BUI) is an ETF from BlackRock, Inc. (US) and Stratified LargeCap Index ETF (SSPY) is an ETF from Syntax Stratified. Over the past year BUI returned +6.35% while SSPY returned +15.52%. Year to date, BUI is up 3.71% versus a gain of 12.63% for SSPY.
Over three years, BUI compounded at +15.33% per year against +15.71% for SSPY; over five years the annualized figures are +7.84% and +8.93% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, SSPY has the edge at +13.36% annualized vs +8.80%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BUI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.4% compared with 16.9% for SSPY. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -48.3% for BUI and -36.7% for SSPY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.75. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BUI charges 1.07% per year while SSPY charges 0.45%. On a $10,000 position that is $107 vs $45 annually, a gap of $62 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BUI currently yields 10.99% against 1.25% for SSPY.
Holdings Overlap
55.6% of BUI's money is in holdings SSPY also owns. 4.1% of SSPY's money is in holdings BUI also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 73 days apart, BUI as of Jun 30, 2026 and SSPY as of Sep 11, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
21 positions in common, counted across the 54 positions we hold weights for in BUI and 504 in SSPY, against full books of 54 and 1,013.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 475 positions for SSPY that do not appear in our book for BUI (94.3% of the fund), and 11 for BUI that do not appear in SSPY (13.7%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in BUI | Weight in SSPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEENextera Energy Inc | 6.17% | 0.24% | 5.93% |
| WMBWilliams Cos. Inc. | 4.17% | 0.52% | 3.65% |
| UNPUnion Pacific Corp | 4.11% | 0.09% | 4.02% |
| DUKDuke Energy Corp | 3.96% | 0.06% | 3.90% |
| SOSouthern Co. | 3.94% | 0.06% | 3.88% |
| TRGPTarga Resources Corp Preferred | 3.25% | 0.57% | 2.68% |
| AEPAmerican Electric Power Co Inc | 3.46% | 0.24% | 3.22% |
| DDominion Energy Inc. | 2.85% | 0.24% | 2.61% |
| SRESempra Common Stock | 2.81% | 0.06% | 2.75% |
| ETREntergy Corp. | 2.55% | 0.23% | 2.32% |
55.6% of BUI is already inside SSPY.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, BUI or SSPY?
BUI has an expense ratio of 1.07% while SSPY charges 0.45%. SSPY is the cheaper option, by $62 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BUI or SSPY?
Over the past year BUI returned +6.35% vs +15.52% for SSPY, so SSPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), BUI annualized +8.80% vs +13.36% for SSPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BUI or SSPY?
BUI has been the more volatile fund at 19.4% annualized versus 16.9% for SSPY. Worst drawdown: BUI -48.3% vs SSPY -36.7%.
Should I hold both BUI and SSPY?
BUI and SSPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.75, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between BUI and SSPY?
55.6% of BUI's money is in holdings SSPY also owns. 4.1% of SSPY's is in holdings BUI also owns. They hold 21 positions in common, counted across the 54 positions we hold weights for in BUI and 504 in SSPY.
Which pays a higher dividend, BUI or SSPY?
BUI yields 10.99% while SSPY yields 1.25%, so BUI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SSPY better than BUI?
SSPY has a lower expense ratio. SSPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SSPY is less concentrated, with 8.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 39.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.