IDU vs. ELFY

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

IDU (iShares U.S. Utilities ETF) and ELFY (ALPS Electrification Infrastructure ETF) are both Utilities Equities funds - IDU tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Utilities Index while ELFY tracks the Ladenburg Thalmann Electrification Infrastructure Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, IDU returned 9.25% vs 48.83% for ELFY. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IDU charges 0.42%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for ELFY.

Performance

IDU vs. ELFY - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IDU achieves a 3.25% return, which is significantly lower than ELFY's 29.33% return.

IDU

• 1D: 0.60%
• 1M: -4.84%
• YTD: 3.25%
• 6M: 1.90%
• 1Y: 9.25%
• 3Y*: 13.84%
• 5Y*: 9.17%
• 10Y*: 8.80%

ELFY

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: 1.62%
• YTD: 29.33%
• 6M: 25.30%
• 1Y: 48.83%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

IDU vs. ELFY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
IDU iShares U.S. Utilities ETF	3.25%	13.44%
ELFY ALPS Electrification Infrastructure ETF	29.33%	35.82%

Correlation

The correlation between IDU and ELFY is 0.57, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.57
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 11, 2025	0.58

The correlation between IDU and ELFY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.57 to 0.58 - a consistent structural relationship.

IDU vs. ELFY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IDU	ELFY
Utilities	90.3%	33.9%
Industrials	8.8%	31.3%
Energy	0.5%	13.1%
Basic Materials	-	3.6%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	0.5%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	18.1%

Return for Risk

IDU vs. ELFY — Risk / Return Rank

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

IDU

IDU Risk / Return Rank: 21
IDU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
IDU Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
IDU Omega Ratio Rank: 20
IDU Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
IDU Martin Ratio Rank: 20

ELFY

ELFY Risk / Return Rank: 82
ELFY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
ELFY Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
ELFY Omega Ratio Rank: 74
ELFY Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
ELFY Martin Ratio Rank: 87

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.

IDU vs. ELFY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Utilities ETF (IDU) and ALPS Electrification Infrastructure ETF (ELFY). 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.

	IDU	ELFY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.68	2.59	-1.92
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.00	3.41	-2.40
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.43	-0.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.01	5.86	-4.85
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.38	18.66	-16.28
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IDU vs. ELFY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IDU Sharpe Ratio is 0.68, which is lower than the ELFY Sharpe Ratio of 2.59. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IDU and ELFY, 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

	IDU	ELFY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.68	2.59	-1.92
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	3.37	-2.95

Drawdowns

IDU vs. ELFY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IDU drawdown since its inception was -53.88%, which is greater than ELFY's maximum drawdown of -8.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IDU and ELFY.

Drawdown Indicators

	IDU	ELFY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.88%	-8.37%	-45.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.15%	-8.37%	-0.78%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.74%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.11%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.18%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.30%	-0.47%	-6.83%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.38%	-1.59%	-9.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.89%	2.62%	+1.27%

Volatility

IDU vs. ELFY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares U.S. Utilities ETF (IDU) is 5.11%, while ALPS Electrification Infrastructure ETF (ELFY) has a volatility of 7.01%. This indicates that IDU experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ELFY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IDU	ELFY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.11%	7.01%	-1.90%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.94%	14.87%	-3.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.80%	18.93%	-5.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.49%	18.96%	-2.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.72%	18.96%	-0.24%

IDU vs. ELFY - Expense Ratio Comparison

IDU has a 0.42% expense ratio, which is lower than ELFY's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

IDU vs. ELFY - Dividend Comparison

IDU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.23%, more than ELFY's 0.82% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ELFY ALPS Electrification Infrastructure ETF	0.82%	0.76%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IDU iShares U.S. Utilities ETF	2.23%	2.23%	2.29%	2.79%	2.39%	2.39%	2.94%	2.71%	2.80%	2.62%	3.18%	4.22%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IDU and ELFY in my portfolio?

IDU and ELFY have a correlation of 0.57, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IDU or ELFY?

ELFY has higher volatility (7.01%) compared to IDU (5.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IDU dropped -53.88% vs ELFY's -8.37%.

Which ETF is better, IDU or ELFY?

On 1-year performance, ELFY leads with 48.83% vs 9.25% for IDU. On fees, IDU is cheaper at 0.42% per year. On volatility, IDU has been the lower-risk option at 5.11%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IDU or ELFY?

Over the 1-year period, ELFY has performed better with a 48.83% return vs 9.25%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IDU or ELFY?

IDU is cheaper with a 0.42% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for ELFY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IDU or ELFY?

IDU has the higher dividend yield at 2.23%, compared with 0.82% for ELFY.

What is the main difference between IDU and ELFY?

IDU tracks Dow Jones U.S. Utilities Index, while ELFY tracks Ladenburg Thalmann Electrification Infrastructure Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and ALPS. Their fees differ too: 0.42% for IDU and 0.50% for ELFY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ELFY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.59 vs 0.68), 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.