BUI vs VTI
BlackRock Utility Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, BUI or VTI?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% 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 | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.07% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $711M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 10.21% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 52 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +1.53% | +13.10%Best |
| 1Y Return | +7.33% | +17.01%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.05% | +22.26%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.58% | +11.98%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.6% | 14.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -48.3% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,752 | $17,608Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 39.6% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | BlackRock, Inc. (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 23, 2011 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 23, 2011 to Sep 24, 2026 (14.8 years).
BUI vs VTI 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 14.8 years both funds cover.
BUI vs VTI Performance
BlackRock Utility Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust (BUI) is an ETF from BlackRock, Inc. (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BUI returned +7.33% while VTI returned +17.01%. Year to date, BUI is up 1.53% versus a gain of 13.10% for VTI.
Over three years, BUI compounded at +16.05% per year against +22.26% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +6.58% and +11.98% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.84% annualized vs +4.31%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BUI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.6% compared with 14.4% for VTI. 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 -35.0% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.65. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BUI charges 1.07% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $107 vs $3 annually, a gap of $104 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BUI currently yields 10.21% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
62.3% of BUI's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 2.3% of VTI's money is in holdings BUI also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
28 positions in common, counted across the 54 positions we hold weights for in BUI and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 52 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,125 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for BUI (95.2% of the fund), and 4 for BUI that do not appear in VTI (7.0%).
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 VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEENextera Energy Inc | 6.17% | 0.25% | 5.92% |
| UNPUnion Pacific Corp | 4.11% | 0.24% | 3.87% |
| WMBWilliams Cos. Inc. | 4.17% | 0.12% | 4.05% |
| DUKDuke Energy Corp | 3.96% | 0.14% | 3.82% |
| SOSouthern Co. | 3.94% | 0.15% | 3.79% |
| AEPAmerican Electric Power Co Inc | 3.46% | 0.10% | 3.36% |
| TRGPTarga Resources Corp Preferred | 3.25% | 0.08% | 3.17% |
| LNGCheniere Energy Inc. | 2.94% | 0.08% | 2.86% |
| DDominion Energy Inc. | 2.85% | 0.08% | 2.77% |
| SRESempra Common Stock | 2.81% | 0.08% | 2.73% |
62.3% of BUI is already inside VTI.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, BUI or VTI?
BUI has an expense ratio of 1.07% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $104 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BUI or VTI?
Over the past year BUI returned +7.33% vs +17.01% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), BUI annualized +4.31% vs +13.84% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BUI or VTI?
BUI has been the more volatile fund at 16.6% annualized versus 14.4% for VTI. Worst drawdown: BUI -48.3% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both BUI and VTI?
BUI and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.65, 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 VTI?
62.3% of BUI's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 2.3% of VTI's is in holdings BUI also owns. They hold 28 positions in common, counted across the 54 positions we hold weights for in BUI and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, BUI or VTI?
BUI yields 10.21% while VTI yields 1.03%, so BUI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than BUI?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% 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.