IDU vs. FUTY

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

IDU (iShares U.S. Utilities ETF) and FUTY (Fidelity MSCI Utilities Index ETF) are both Utilities Equities funds - IDU tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Utilities Index while FUTY tracks the MSCI USA IMI Utilities Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IDU returned 8.89%/yr vs 9.20%/yr for FUTY. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. IDU charges 0.42%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for FUTY.

Performance

IDU vs. FUTY - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IDU achieves a 4.11% return, which is significantly lower than FUTY's 4.60% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with IDU having a 8.89% annualized return and FUTY not far ahead at 9.20%.

IDU

• 1D: 0.84%
• 1M: -2.65%
• YTD: 4.11%
• 6M: 3.63%
• 1Y: 10.33%
• 3Y*: 14.16%
• 5Y*: 9.35%
• 10Y*: 8.89%

FUTY

• 1D: 0.79%
• 1M: -2.88%
• YTD: 4.60%
• 6M: 3.78%
• 1Y: 13.18%
• 3Y*: 14.03%
• 5Y*: 9.44%
• 10Y*: 9.20%

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

IDU vs. FUTY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IDU iShares U.S. Utilities ETF	4.11%	15.23%	23.23%	-5.02%	0.17%	16.96%	-1.07%	24.21%	3.93%	11.94%
FUTY Fidelity MSCI Utilities Index ETF	4.60%	16.40%	23.20%	-7.46%	1.12%	17.53%	-0.80%	24.89%	4.36%	12.52%

Correlation

The correlation between IDU and FUTY is 0.99 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.99
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.99
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.99
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.99
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 25, 2013	0.99

The correlation between IDU and FUTY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.99 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.

IDU vs. FUTY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IDU	FUTY
Utilities	90.3%	99.2%
Industrials	8.8%	0.2%
Energy	0.5%	0.5%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-

Return for Risk

IDU vs. FUTY — Risk / Return Rank

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

IDU

IDU Risk / Return Rank: 23
IDU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
IDU Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
IDU Omega Ratio Rank: 22
IDU Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
IDU Martin Ratio Rank: 22

FUTY

FUTY Risk / Return Rank: 27
FUTY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
FUTY Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
FUTY Omega Ratio Rank: 25
FUTY Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
FUTY Martin Ratio Rank: 25

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. FUTY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Utilities ETF (IDU) and Fidelity MSCI Utilities Index ETF (FUTY). 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	FUTY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.76	0.93	-0.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.10	1.33	-0.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.17	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.13	1.48	-0.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.65	3.30	-0.66
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. FUTY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IDU Sharpe Ratio is 0.76, which is comparable to the FUTY Sharpe Ratio of 0.93. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IDU and FUTY, 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	FUTY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.76	0.93	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.57	0.55	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.48	0.48	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	0.56	-0.14

Drawdowns

IDU vs. FUTY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IDU drawdown since its inception was -53.88%, which is greater than FUTY's maximum drawdown of -36.44%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IDU and FUTY.

Drawdown Indicators

	IDU	FUTY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.88%	-36.44%	-17.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.15%	-8.93%	-0.22%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.74%	-17.35%	+0.61%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.11%	-25.11%	+1.00%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.18%	-36.44%	+0.26%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.53%	-5.99%	-0.54%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.38%	-6.03%	-5.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.91%	4.00%	-0.09%

Volatility

IDU vs. FUTY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares U.S. Utilities ETF (IDU) is 5.05%, while Fidelity MSCI Utilities Index ETF (FUTY) has a volatility of 5.49%. This indicates that IDU experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FUTY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IDU	FUTY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.05%	5.49%	-0.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.97%	11.41%	-0.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.73%	14.25%	-0.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.49%	17.08%	-0.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.72%	19.05%	-0.33%

IDU vs. FUTY - Expense Ratio Comparison

IDU has a 0.42% expense ratio, which is higher than FUTY's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

IDU vs. FUTY - Dividend Comparison

IDU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.21%, less than FUTY's 2.58% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FUTY Fidelity MSCI Utilities Index ETF	2.58%	2.67%	2.96%	3.31%	2.72%	2.70%	3.07%	2.82%	3.11%	3.03%	3.35%	4.33%
IDU iShares U.S. Utilities ETF	2.21%	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 FUTY in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.99, IDU and FUTY move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, IDU or FUTY?

FUTY has higher volatility (5.49%) compared to IDU (5.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IDU dropped -53.88% vs FUTY's -36.44%.

Which ETF is better, IDU or FUTY?

On 10-year performance, FUTY leads with 9.20% vs 8.89% for IDU. On fees, FUTY is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, IDU has been the lower-risk option at 5.05%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IDU or FUTY?

Over the 10-year period, FUTY has performed better with a 9.20% return vs 8.89%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IDU or FUTY?

FUTY is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.42% for IDU.

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

FUTY has the higher dividend yield at 2.58%, compared with 2.21% for IDU.

What is the main difference between IDU and FUTY?

IDU tracks Dow Jones U.S. Utilities Index, while FUTY tracks MSCI USA IMI Utilities Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Fidelity. Their fees differ too: 0.42% for IDU and 0.08% for FUTY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FUTY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.93 vs 0.76), 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.