DEF vs. VPU

Last updated Jul 15, 2026

DEF (Invesco Defensive Equity ETF) and VPU (Vanguard Utilities ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DEF is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Invesco Defensive Equity Index, while VPU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Utilities 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. At a 0.31 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. DEF charges 0.53%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VPU.

Performance

DEF vs. VPU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco Defensive Equity ETF (DEF) and Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

DEF

• 1D: —
• 1M: —
• 6M: —
• YTD: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VPU

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: 3.02%
• 6M: 7.32%
• YTD: 8.09%
• 1Y: 13.34%
• 3Y*: 14.24%
• 5Y*: 9.89%
• 10Y*: 9.04%

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

DEF vs. VPU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
DEF Invesco Defensive Equity ETF	-11.11%
VPU Vanguard Utilities ETF	3.30%

Correlation

The correlation between DEF and VPU is 0.31, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 8, 2026	0.31

DEF vs. VPU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DEF	VPU
Healthcare	16.8%	-
Financial Services	16.1%	-
Industrials	15.6%	0.2%
Consumer Defensive	12.9%	-
Technology	12.1%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	-
Utilities	4.8%	99.3%
Communication Services	4.7%	-
Real Estate	3.8%	-
Basic Materials	2.1%	-
Energy	1.0%	0.5%

Return for Risk

DEF vs. VPU — Risk / Return Rank

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

DEF

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

VPU

VPU Risk / Return Rank: 30
VPU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
VPU Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
VPU Omega Ratio Rank: 28
VPU Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
VPU Martin Ratio Rank: 28

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.

DEF vs. VPU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco Defensive Equity ETF (DEF) and Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	DEF	VPU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	0.92	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	1.31	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.16	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	1.50	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	3.15	—

Drawdowns

Drawdown Indicators

	DEF	VPU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	—	-46.31%	—
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-8.90%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-17.34%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-25.15%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-36.42%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	—	-2.84%	—
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	—	-7.77%	—
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	4.24%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	DEF	VPU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	4.31%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	11.57%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	14.64%	—
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	—	17.06%	—
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	—	19.15%	—

DEF vs. VPU - Expense Ratio Comparison

DEF has a 0.53% expense ratio, which is higher than VPU's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

DEF vs. VPU - Dividend Comparison

DEF has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VPU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.62%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DEF Invesco Defensive Equity ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VPU Vanguard Utilities ETF	2.62%	2.73%	3.02%	3.49%	2.98%	2.70%	3.17%	2.83%	3.23%	3.18%	3.19%	3.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DEF and VPU in my portfolio?

DEF and VPU have a correlation of 0.31, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, DEF or VPU?

On fees, VPU is cheaper at 0.09% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, DEF or VPU?

VPU is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.53% for DEF.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DEF or VPU?

VPU has the higher dividend yield at 2.62%, compared with 0.00% for DEF.

What is the main difference between DEF and VPU?

DEF is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while VPU is Utilities Equities. DEF tracks Invesco Defensive Equity Index, while VPU tracks MSCI US Investable Market Utilities 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.53% for DEF and 0.09% for VPU.