ELFY vs. VPU

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about ALPS Electrification Infrastructure ETF (ELFY) and Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU).

ELFY and VPU are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. ELFY is a passively managed fund by ALPS that tracks the performance of the Ladenburg Thalmann Electrification Infrastructure Index. It was launched on Apr 9, 2025. VPU is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the MSCI US Investable Market Utilities 25/50 Index. It was launched on Jan 26, 2004. Both ELFY and VPU are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

ELFY vs. VPU - Performance Comparison

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

ELFY vs. VPU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
ELFY ALPS Electrification Infrastructure ETF	12.06%	35.82%
VPU Vanguard Utilities ETF	7.79%	15.64%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ELFY achieves a 12.06% return, which is significantly higher than VPU's 7.79% return.

ELFY

• 1D: 2.62%
• 1M: -5.24%
• YTD: 12.06%
• 6M: 10.55%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VPU

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: -3.12%
• YTD: 7.79%
• 6M: 6.07%
• 1Y: 19.23%
• 3Y*: 13.81%
• 5Y*: 10.49%
• 10Y*: 9.62%

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

ELFY vs. VPU - Expense Ratio Comparison

ELFY has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than VPU's 0.10% expense ratio.

ELFY

ALPS Electrification Infrastructure ETF

VPU

Vanguard Utilities ETF

Return for Risk

ELFY vs. VPU — Risk / Return Rank

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

VPU

VPU Risk / Return Rank: 71
VPU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
VPU Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
VPU Omega Ratio Rank: 66
VPU Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
VPU Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

ELFY vs. VPU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ALPS Electrification Infrastructure ETF (ELFY) 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.

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

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ELFY	VPU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	1.25	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.62	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.51	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.98	0.55	+2.43

Correlation

The correlation between ELFY and VPU is 0.61, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

ELFY vs. VPU - Dividend Comparison

ELFY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.94%, less than VPU's 2.57% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ELFY ALPS Electrification Infrastructure ETF	0.94%	0.76%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VPU Vanguard Utilities ETF	2.57%	2.73%	3.02%	3.49%	2.98%	2.70%	3.17%	2.83%	3.23%	3.18%	3.19%	3.63%

Drawdowns

ELFY vs. VPU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ELFY drawdown since its inception was -8.37%, smaller than the maximum VPU drawdown of -46.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ELFY and VPU.

Drawdown Indicators

	ELFY	VPU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.37%	-46.31%	+37.94%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-8.90%	—
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	-5.94%	-3.12%	-2.82%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.63%	-7.82%	+6.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	3.74%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	ELFY	VPU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	4.99%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	10.18%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.35%	15.54%	+2.81%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.35%	16.91%	+1.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.35%	19.07%	-0.72%