^UTY vs. VUG

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

^UTY (PHLX Utility Sector Index) is an index, while VUG (Vanguard Growth ETF) is Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. Over the past 10 years, ^UTY returned 5.82%/yr vs 17.81%/yr for VUG. At a 0.40 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

^UTY vs. VUG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PHLX Utility Sector Index (^UTY) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ^UTY achieves a 3.05% return, which is significantly lower than VUG's 5.80% return. Over the past 10 years, ^UTY has underperformed VUG with an annualized return of 5.82%, while VUG has yielded a comparatively higher 17.81% annualized return.

^UTY

• 1D: 0.68%
• 1M: -4.52%
• YTD: 3.05%
• 6M: 2.21%
• 1Y: 9.86%
• 3Y*: 9.51%
• 5Y*: 5.39%
• 10Y*: 5.82%

VUG

• 1D: -3.62%
• 1M: 0.03%
• YTD: 5.80%
• 6M: 4.57%
• 1Y: 23.98%
• 3Y*: 24.49%
• 5Y*: 14.33%
• 10Y*: 17.81%

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

^UTY vs. VUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
^UTY PHLX Utility Sector Index	3.05%	13.45%	16.89%	-12.33%	-2.35%	14.64%	-0.62%	22.62%	-0.16%	8.96%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	5.80%	19.40%	32.69%	46.83%	-33.16%	27.35%	40.25%	37.03%	-3.32%	27.72%

Correlation

The correlation between ^UTY and VUG is 0.00, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.00
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.05
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.21
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.24
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2004	0.40

Over the past year, the correlation between ^UTY and VUG has dropped to 0.00 - well below their long-term average of 0.40, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

^UTY vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank

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

^UTY

^UTY Risk / Return Rank: 34
^UTY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
^UTY Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
^UTY Omega Ratio Rank: 34
^UTY Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
^UTY Martin Ratio Rank: 35

VUG

VUG Risk / Return Rank: 38
VUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
VUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
VUG Omega Ratio Rank: 41
VUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
VUG Martin Ratio Rank: 34

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.

^UTY vs. VUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PHLX Utility Sector Index (^UTY) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG). 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.

	^UTY	VUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.69	1.48	-0.80
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.02	2.01	-1.00
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.26	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.06	1.46	-0.39
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.37	5.09	-2.72
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

^UTY vs. VUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ^UTY Sharpe Ratio is 0.69, which is lower than the VUG Sharpe Ratio of 1.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ^UTY and VUG, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	^UTY	VUG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.69	1.48	-0.80
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.31	0.65	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.30	0.83	-0.53
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.26	0.61	-0.35

Drawdowns

^UTY vs. VUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ^UTY drawdown since its inception was -48.16%, roughly equal to the maximum VUG drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ^UTY and VUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	^UTY	VUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-48.16%	-50.68%	+2.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.28%	-16.53%	+7.25%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.50%	-22.85%	+4.35%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.12%	-35.61%	+6.49%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.10%	-35.61%	-0.49%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.43%	-4.83%	-2.60%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.46%	-7.09%	-5.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.15%	4.72%	-0.57%

Volatility

^UTY vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison

PHLX Utility Sector Index (^UTY) has a higher volatility of 5.61% compared to Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) at 5.17%. This indicates that ^UTY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	^UTY	VUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.61%	5.17%	+0.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.47%	12.68%	-1.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.44%	16.26%	-1.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.53%	22.27%	-4.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.54%	21.47%	-1.93%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ^UTY and VUG in my portfolio?

^UTY and VUG have a correlation of 0.00, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ^UTY or VUG?

^UTY has higher volatility (5.61%) compared to VUG (5.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ^UTY dropped -48.16% vs VUG's -50.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.48 vs 0.69), 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.