JEPI vs. VPU

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

JEPI (JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF) and VPU (Vanguard Utilities ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - JEPI is a Dividend fund actively managed by JPMorgan, while VPU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Utilities 25/50 Index. JEPI is actively managed, while VPU is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, JEPI returned 7.28%/yr vs 8.91%/yr for VPU. A 0.60 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. JEPI charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VPU.

Performance

JEPI vs. VPU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPI) 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, JEPI achieves a 0.04% return, which is significantly lower than VPU's 2.68% return.

JEPI

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: -0.40%
• YTD: 0.04%
• 6M: 0.91%
• 1Y: 7.03%
• 3Y*: 8.80%
• 5Y*: 7.28%
• 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)

JEPI vs. VPU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
JEPI JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF	0.04%	8.09%	12.57%	9.83%	-3.49%	21.52%	18.61%
VPU Vanguard Utilities ETF	2.68%	16.46%	23.04%	-7.45%	1.06%	17.40%	14.64%

Correlation

The correlation between JEPI and VPU is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.40
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.49
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 22, 2020	0.60

Over the past year, the correlation between JEPI and VPU has dropped to 0.40 - well below their long-term average of 0.60, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

JEPI vs. VPU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	JEPI	VPU
Technology	19.1%	-
Healthcare	14.1%	-
Industrials	13.8%	0.2%
Consumer Cyclical	11.7%	-
Financial Services	9.8%	-
Consumer Defensive	9.6%	-
Communication Services	6.9%	-
Utilities	6.2%	99.3%
Real Estate	3.5%	-
Energy	3.5%	0.5%
Basic Materials	1.9%	-

Return for Risk

JEPI vs. VPU — Risk / Return Rank

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

JEPI

JEPI Risk / Return Rank: 26
JEPI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
JEPI Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
JEPI Omega Ratio Rank: 27
JEPI Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
JEPI Martin Ratio Rank: 26

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.

JEPI vs. VPU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPI) 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.

	JEPI	VPU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.90	0.75	+0.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.35	1.09	+0.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.14	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.06	1.20	-0.15
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.31	2.66	+0.65
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

JEPI vs. VPU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JEPI Sharpe Ratio is 0.90, which is comparable to the VPU Sharpe Ratio of 0.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JEPI 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

	JEPI	VPU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.90	0.75	+0.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66	0.52	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.46	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.01	0.53	+0.47

Drawdowns

JEPI vs. VPU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JEPI drawdown since its inception was -13.71%, smaller than the maximum VPU drawdown of -46.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JEPI and VPU.

Drawdown Indicators

	JEPI	VPU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.71%	-46.31%	+32.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.68%	-8.90%	+2.22%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.26%	-17.34%	+4.08%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-13.71%	-25.15%	+11.44%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-36.42%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.93%	-7.71%	+2.78%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.12%	-7.78%	+5.66%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.13%	4.02%	-1.89%

Volatility

JEPI vs. VPU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPI) is 1.48%, while Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) has a volatility of 5.56%. This indicates that JEPI 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

	JEPI	VPU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.48%	5.56%	-4.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.09%	11.53%	-5.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.89%	14.38%	-6.49%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.06%	17.07%	-6.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.79%	19.14%	-8.35%

JEPI vs. VPU - Expense Ratio Comparison

JEPI has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than VPU's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

JEPI vs. VPU - Dividend Comparison

JEPI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.28%, more than VPU's 2.70% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
JEPI JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF	8.28%	8.25%	7.33%	8.40%	11.68%	6.59%	5.79%	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 JEPI and VPU in my portfolio?

JEPI and VPU have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, JEPI or VPU?

VPU has higher volatility (5.56%) compared to JEPI (1.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JEPI dropped -13.71% vs VPU's -46.31%.

Which ETF is better, JEPI or VPU?

On 5-year performance, VPU leads with 8.91% vs 7.28% for JEPI. On fees, VPU is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, JEPI has been the lower-risk option at 1.48%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, JEPI or VPU?

Over the 5-year period, VPU has performed better with a 8.91% return vs 7.28%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, JEPI or VPU?

VPU is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for JEPI.

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

JEPI has the higher dividend yield at 8.28%, compared with 2.70% for VPU.

What is the main difference between JEPI and VPU?

JEPI is categorized as Dividend, while VPU is Utilities Equities. They also come from different issuers: JPMorgan and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for JEPI and 0.09% for VPU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

JEPI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.90 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.