BME vs DSTL
BlackRock Health Sciences Trust vs Distillate US Fundamental Stability & Value ETF
Which is better, BME or DSTL?
Each has led over a different period.
DSTL has a lower expense ratio. BME led over 1Y, DSTL over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. DSTL is less concentrated, with 18.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 51.5%.
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 | BME | DSTL |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.14% | 0.39%Best |
| AUM | $591M | $2.0B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.87% | 1.14% |
| Holdings | 156 | 300 |
| YTD Return | +13.85%Best | +13.34% |
| 1Y Return | +26.79%Best | +16.45% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.27% | +15.03%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.83% | +10.92%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.9%Best | 17.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -37.0% | -33.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,275 | $16,790Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 51.5% | 18.3%Best |
| Fund Family | BlackRock, Inc. (US) | Distillate Capital Etfs |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Mar 31, 2005 | Oct 23, 2018 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 24, 2018 to Oct 14, 2026 (8 years).
BME vs DSTL 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 8 years both funds cover.
BME vs DSTL Performance
BlackRock Health Sciences Trust (BME) is an ETF from BlackRock, Inc. (US) and Distillate US Fundamental Stability & Value ETF (DSTL) is an ETF from Distillate Capital Etfs. Over the past year BME returned +26.79% while DSTL returned +16.45%. Year to date, BME is up 13.85% versus a gain of 13.34% for DSTL.
Over three years, BME compounded at +12.27% per year against +15.03% for DSTL; over five years the annualized figures are +5.83% and +10.92% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, DSTL has the edge at +14.39% annualized vs +6.62%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DSTL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.3% compared with 15.9% for BME. 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 -37.0% for BME and -33.1% for DSTL. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.76. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BME charges 1.14% per year while DSTL charges 0.39%. On a $10,000 position that is $114 vs $39 annually, a gap of $75 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BME currently yields 6.87% against 1.14% for DSTL.
Holdings Overlap
20.6% of BME's money is in holdings DSTL also owns. 12.6% of DSTL's money is in holdings BME also owns.
BME and DSTL share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 93 days apart, BME as of Jun 30, 2026 and DSTL as of Oct 1, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
10 positions in common, counted across the 133 positions we hold weights for in BME and 101 in DSTL, against full books of 156 and 300.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 90 positions for DSTL that do not appear in our book for BME (86.6% of the fund), and 103 for BME that do not appear in DSTL (69.2%).
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 BME | Weight in DSTL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNHUnited Health Group Inc. | 6.12% | 1.98% | 4.14% |
| MRKMerck & Co Inc Common Stock Usd 0.5 | 5.23% | 2.00% | 3.23% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 5.07% | 1.95% | 3.12% |
| BSXBoston Scientific Corp. | 1.30% | 0.94% | 0.36% |
| REGNRegeneron Pharmaceuticals Common Stock Usd.001 | 0.84% | 1.28% | 0.44% |
| INCYIncyte | 0.69% | 0.81% | 0.12% |
| UTHRUnited Therapeutics Corp | 0.46% | 0.98% | 0.52% |
| MCKMckesson Corp Common Stock USD 0.01 | 0.32% | 1.10% | 0.78% |
| NBIXNeurocrine Biosciences Inc | 0.30% | 0.82% | 0.52% |
| BMRNBiomarin Pharmaceutical Inc | 0.30% | 0.70% | 0.40% |
20.6% of BME is already inside DSTL.
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, BME or DSTL?
BME has an expense ratio of 1.14% while DSTL charges 0.39%. DSTL is the cheaper option, by $75 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BME or DSTL?
Over the past year BME returned +26.79% vs +16.45% for DSTL, so BME leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), BME annualized +6.62% vs +14.39% for DSTL. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BME or DSTL?
DSTL has been the more volatile fund at 17.3% annualized versus 15.9% for BME. Worst drawdown: BME -37.0% vs DSTL -33.1%.
Should I hold both BME and DSTL?
BME and DSTL have a monthly-return correlation of 0.76, 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 BME and DSTL?
20.6% of BME's money is in holdings DSTL also owns. 12.6% of DSTL's is in holdings BME also owns. They hold 10 positions in common, counted across the 133 positions we hold weights for in BME and 101 in DSTL.
Which pays a higher dividend, BME or DSTL?
BME yields 6.87% while DSTL yields 1.14%, so BME currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is DSTL better than BME?
DSTL has a lower expense ratio. BME led over 1Y, DSTL over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. DSTL is less concentrated, with 18.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 51.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.