GABUX vs. VPU
Compare and contrast key facts about Gabelli Utilities Fund (GABUX) and Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU).
GABUX is managed by Gabelli. It was launched on Aug 30, 1999. 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.
Performance
GABUX vs. VPU - Performance Comparison
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GABUX vs. VPU - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GABUX Gabelli Utilities Fund | 8.26% | 16.86% | 14.38% | -6.59% | -5.40% | 17.44% | -3.45% | 18.37% | -2.83% | 8.24% |
VPU Vanguard Utilities ETF | 8.24% | 16.46% | 23.04% | -7.45% | 1.06% | 17.40% | -0.74% | 24.89% | 4.38% | 12.44% |
Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with GABUX having a 8.26% return and VPU slightly lower at 8.24%. Over the past 10 years, GABUX has underperformed VPU with an annualized return of 6.60%, while VPU has yielded a comparatively higher 9.67% annualized return.
GABUX
- 1D
- 0.20%
- 1M
- -3.77%
- YTD
- 8.26%
- 6M
- 7.25%
- 1Y
- 16.66%
- 3Y*
- 10.89%
- 5Y*
- 7.00%
- 10Y*
- 6.60%
VPU
- 1D
- 0.42%
- 1M
- -2.05%
- YTD
- 8.24%
- 6M
- 5.69%
- 1Y
- 19.37%
- 3Y*
- 13.96%
- 5Y*
- 10.58%
- 10Y*
- 9.67%
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GABUX vs. VPU - Expense Ratio Comparison
GABUX has a 1.39% expense ratio, which is higher than VPU's 0.10% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
GABUX vs. VPU — Risk / Return Rank
GABUX
VPU
GABUX vs. VPU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Gabelli Utilities Fund (GABUX) 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.
| GABUX | VPU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.27 | 1.25 | +0.02 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.61 | 1.71 | -0.09 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.26 | 1.23 | +0.03 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.08 | 2.22 | -0.14 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.94 | 5.27 | +3.67 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| GABUX | VPU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.27 | 1.25 | +0.02 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.48 | 0.63 | -0.15 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.41 | 0.51 | -0.10 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.25 | 0.55 | -0.30 |
Correlation
The correlation between GABUX and VPU is 0.88, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Dividends
GABUX vs. VPU - Dividend Comparison
GABUX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 15.77%, more than VPU's 2.56% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GABUX Gabelli Utilities Fund | 15.77% | 18.27% | 22.50% | 16.89% | 13.44% | 11.03% | 11.58% | 9.31% | 9.50% | 8.45% | 9.49% | 9.66% |
VPU Vanguard Utilities ETF | 2.56% | 2.73% | 3.02% | 3.49% | 2.98% | 2.70% | 3.17% | 2.83% | 3.23% | 3.18% | 3.19% | 3.63% |
Drawdowns
GABUX vs. VPU - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GABUX drawdown since its inception was -48.88%, which is greater than VPU's maximum drawdown of -46.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GABUX and VPU.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GABUX | VPU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -48.88% | -46.31% | -2.57% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.56% | -8.90% | +0.34% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -23.98% | -25.15% | +1.17% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -33.64% | -36.42% | +2.78% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.14% | -2.71% | -1.43% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -12.21% | -7.82% | -4.39% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.99% | 3.74% | -1.75% |
Volatility
GABUX vs. VPU - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Gabelli Utilities Fund (GABUX) is 3.84%, while Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) has a volatility of 4.99%. This indicates that GABUX 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.
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Volatility by Period
| GABUX | VPU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.84% | 4.99% | -1.15% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 7.36% | 10.18% | -2.82% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 13.55% | 15.51% | -1.96% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.62% | 16.91% | -2.29% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.25% | 19.07% | -2.82% |