GPIX vs. VPU

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

GPIX (Goldman Sachs S&P 500 Premium Income ETF) and VPU (Vanguard Utilities ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GPIX is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by Goldman Sachs, while VPU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Utilities 25/50 Index. GPIX is actively managed, while VPU is passively managed. Over the past year, GPIX returned 22.98% vs 10.68% for VPU. At a 0.28 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GPIX charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VPU.

Performance

GPIX vs. VPU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Goldman Sachs S&P 500 Premium Income ETF (GPIX) 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, GPIX achieves a 8.17% return, which is significantly higher than VPU's 2.68% return.

GPIX

• 1D: 0.29%
• 1M: 0.38%
• YTD: 8.17%
• 6M: 8.56%
• 1Y: 22.98%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VPU

• 1D: -1.87%
• 1M: -2.65%
• YTD: 2.68%
• 6M: 3.11%
• 1Y: 10.68%
• 3Y*: 12.74%
• 5Y*: 8.91%
• 10Y*: 8.85%

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

GPIX vs. VPU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
GPIX Goldman Sachs S&P 500 Premium Income ETF	8.17%	16.25%	21.77%	13.45%
VPU Vanguard Utilities ETF	2.68%	16.46%	23.04%	7.18%

Correlation

The correlation between GPIX and VPU is 0.22, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.22
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 27, 2023	0.28

GPIX vs. VPU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GPIX	VPU
Technology	35.5%	-
Financial Services	11.6%	-
Communication Services	11.5%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	-
Healthcare	8.4%	-
Industrials	8.4%	0.2%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	-
Energy	3.5%	0.5%
Utilities	2.4%	99.3%
Real Estate	2.0%	-
Basic Materials	1.8%	-

Return for Risk

GPIX vs. VPU — Risk / Return Rank

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

GPIX

GPIX Risk / Return Rank: 76
GPIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
GPIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
GPIX Omega Ratio Rank: 79
GPIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
GPIX Martin Ratio Rank: 82

VPU

VPU Risk / Return Rank: 23
VPU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
VPU Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
VPU Omega Ratio Rank: 22
VPU Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
VPU Martin Ratio Rank: 22

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.

GPIX vs. VPU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Goldman Sachs S&P 500 Premium Income ETF (GPIX) 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.

	GPIX	VPU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.22	0.75	+1.48
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.03	1.09	+1.93
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.14	+0.29
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.99	1.20	+1.79
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.96	2.66	+12.30
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GPIX vs. VPU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GPIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.22, which is higher than the VPU Sharpe Ratio of 0.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GPIX 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

	GPIX	VPU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.22	0.75	+1.48
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.52	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.46	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.71	0.53	+1.18

Drawdowns

GPIX vs. VPU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GPIX drawdown since its inception was -17.50%, smaller than the maximum VPU drawdown of -46.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GPIX and VPU.

Drawdown Indicators

	GPIX	VPU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.50%	-46.31%	+28.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.71%	-8.90%	+1.19%
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	-2.06%	-7.71%	+5.65%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.48%	-7.78%	+6.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.54%	4.02%	-2.48%

Volatility

GPIX vs. VPU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Goldman Sachs S&P 500 Premium Income ETF (GPIX) is 3.07%, while Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) has a volatility of 5.56%. This indicates that GPIX 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

	GPIX	VPU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.07%	5.56%	-2.49%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.22%	11.53%	-3.31%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.40%	14.38%	-3.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.84%	17.07%	-3.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.84%	19.14%	-5.30%

GPIX vs. VPU - Expense Ratio Comparison

GPIX has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is higher than VPU's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

GPIX vs. VPU - Dividend Comparison

GPIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.13%, more than VPU's 2.70% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GPIX Goldman Sachs S&P 500 Premium Income ETF	8.13%	8.01%	7.45%	1.40%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VPU Vanguard Utilities ETF	2.70%	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 GPIX and VPU in my portfolio?

GPIX and VPU have a correlation of 0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GPIX or VPU?

VPU has higher volatility (5.56%) compared to GPIX (3.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GPIX dropped -17.50% vs VPU's -46.31%.

Which ETF is better, GPIX or VPU?

On 1-year performance, GPIX leads with 22.98% vs 10.68% for VPU. On fees, VPU is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, GPIX has been the lower-risk option at 3.07%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GPIX or VPU?

Over the 1-year period, GPIX has performed better with a 22.98% return vs 10.68%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GPIX or VPU?

VPU is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.29% for GPIX.

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

GPIX has the higher dividend yield at 8.13%, compared with 2.70% for VPU.

What is the main difference between GPIX and VPU?

GPIX is categorized as Derivative Income, while VPU is Utilities Equities. They also come from different issuers: Goldman Sachs and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.29% for GPIX and 0.09% for VPU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GPIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.22 vs 0.75), 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.