DSU vs VXZ: Correlation
How closely do Blackrock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU) and iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Mid-Term Futures ETN (VXZ) trade together? Their weekly returns over three years give a correlation of -0.53, which is negative.
Data as of 2026-08-27 · refreshed every trading day · weekly returns · methodology
How correlated are DSU and VXZ?
Across a 3-year window, the weekly returns of DSU and VXZ correlate at -0.53, negative, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. The relationship has been stable: the 1-year correlation (-0.58) sits close to the 3-year figure. Stretching to 5 years gives -0.46, with an annualized covariance of -127.3 %².
VXZ is close to the least connected end of DSU's tracked universe, ranking #11 of 12. The last year tells two different stories: DSU led by 15.9 percentage points, -0.2% for DSU against -16.1% for VXZ. Risk is not evenly split, since VXZ carries 2.8 times the volatility of the other side.
How is this computed?
Pearson correlation on weekly returns: ρ(A,B) = cov(rA, rB) / (σA · σB), over windows of 52, 156 and 260 weeks. Covariance is annualized (×52) and expressed in %². Full definitions on the methodology page.
DSU vs VXZ: side by side
| DSU (Blackrock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.) | VXZ (iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Mid-Term Futures ETN) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year return | -0.2% | -16.1% |
| 5-year return | +35.2% | -53.1% |
| Volatility (ann.) | 9.3% | 25.6% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | 0.41 | -1.31 |
| Max drawdown (3Y) | -14.6% | -36.4% |
| Market cap | $0.6B | – |
| P/E (trailing) | 13.6 | – |
| Dividend yield | 12.59% | – |
| Sector / category | US Listed | US Listed |
Year-by-year returns
| Year | DSU | VXZ |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | -15.5% | +0.5% |
| 2023 | +30.4% | -44.0% |
| 2024 | +11.2% | -12.7% |
| 2025 | +6.0% | +5.7% |
| 2026 | +0.1% | -10.5% |
Calendar-year price returns; the current year is year-to-date as of the data date above.
Are DSU and VXZ good diversifiers for each other?
Yes: at -0.53, the two have gone their own ways historically, which is what genuine diversification looks like.
FAQ
What is the correlation between DSU and VXZ?
Using weekly returns as of 2026-08-27: -0.53 over 3 years, with -0.58 over the last year and -0.46 over 5 years.
Is VXZ a good diversifier for DSU?
Yes: at -0.53, the two have gone their own ways historically, which is what genuine diversification looks like.
What does a correlation of -0.53 mean?
Correlation ranges from −1 to +1. Values near +1 mean two assets move together, near 0 that they move independently, and negative values that they tend to move in opposite directions. It measures co-movement, not performance.
Use this data
$ curl https://www.pairbook.io/api/v1/pairs/dsu-vs-vxz.json
Drop this badge in a README or notebook; it updates with the data:
[](https://www.pairbook.io/pair/dsu-vs-vxz/)
The core API is free. Terms and every endpoint in the API documentation.
Related comparisons
Hubs: DSU correlations · VXZ correlations
