DEF vs. VPU

Last updated Jun 4, 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. Over the past 10 years, DEF returned 10.28%/yr vs 9.02%/yr for VPU. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. 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

In the year-to-date period, DEF achieves a -2.29% return, which is significantly lower than VPU's 3.18% return. Over the past 10 years, DEF has outperformed VPU with an annualized return of 10.28%, while VPU has yielded a comparatively lower 9.02% annualized return.

DEF

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 0.44%
• YTD: -2.29%
• 6M: -2.55%
• 1Y: 4.21%
• 3Y*: 10.86%
• 5Y*: 7.41%
• 10Y*: 10.28%

VPU

• 1D: -0.58%
• 1M: -5.40%
• YTD: 3.18%
• 6M: 1.27%
• 1Y: 9.60%
• 3Y*: 13.61%
• 5Y*: 9.11%
• 10Y*: 9.02%

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

DEF vs. VPU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DEF Invesco Defensive Equity ETF	-2.29%	11.71%	13.18%	10.58%	-7.67%	24.93%	7.61%	27.98%	-3.96%	21.52%
VPU Vanguard Utilities ETF	3.18%	16.46%	23.04%	-7.45%	1.06%	17.40%	-0.74%	24.89%	4.38%	12.44%

Correlation

The correlation between DEF and VPU is 0.28, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.28
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.40
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 18, 2006	0.61

Over the past year, the correlation between DEF and VPU has dropped to 0.28 - well below their long-term average of 0.61, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

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

DEF Risk / Return Rank: 14
DEF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 14
DEF Sortino Ratio Rank: 13
DEF Omega Ratio Rank: 13
DEF Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
DEF Martin Ratio Rank: 15

VPU

VPU Risk / Return Rank: 20
VPU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
VPU Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
VPU Omega Ratio Rank: 19
VPU Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
VPU Martin Ratio Rank: 20

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.

	DEF	VPU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.36	0.67	-0.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.61	1.00	-0.39
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.07	1.12	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.43	1.08	-0.65
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.18	2.43	-1.26
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DEF vs. VPU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DEF Sharpe Ratio is 0.36, which is lower than the VPU Sharpe Ratio of 0.67. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DEF and VPU, 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

	DEF	VPU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.36	0.67	-0.31
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54	0.54	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.64	0.47	+0.17
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.54	0.53	+0.01

Drawdowns

DEF vs. VPU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DEF drawdown since its inception was -47.91%, roughly equal to the maximum VPU drawdown of -46.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DEF and VPU.

Drawdown Indicators

	DEF	VPU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.91%	-46.31%	-1.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.76%	-8.90%	-0.86%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.00%	-17.34%	+2.34%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.75%	-25.15%	+7.40%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.53%	-36.42%	-0.11%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.44%	-7.26%	+0.82%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.24%	-7.78%	+1.54%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.59%	3.96%	-0.37%

Volatility

DEF vs. VPU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Invesco Defensive Equity ETF (DEF) is 3.12%, while Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) has a volatility of 5.35%. This indicates that DEF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VPU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DEF	VPU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.12%	5.35%	-2.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.80%	11.36%	-2.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.73%	14.30%	-2.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.92%	17.05%	-3.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.05%	19.12%	-3.07%

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's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.96%, less than VPU's 2.69% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DEF Invesco Defensive Equity ETF	0.96%	0.94%	0.79%	1.60%	1.48%	1.06%	1.34%	1.16%	1.39%	1.63%	2.18%	3.31%
VPU Vanguard Utilities ETF	2.69%	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 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DEF or VPU?

VPU has higher volatility (5.35%) compared to DEF (3.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DEF dropped -47.91% vs VPU's -46.31%.

Which ETF is better, DEF or VPU?

On 10-year performance, DEF leads with 10.28% vs 9.02% for VPU. On fees, VPU is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, DEF has been the lower-risk option at 3.12%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DEF or VPU?

Over the 10-year period, DEF has performed better with a 10.28% return vs 9.02%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

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 2.69%, compared with 0.96% 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.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VPU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.67 vs 0.36), 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.