JEPQ vs. VPU

Last updated Jul 22, 2026

JEPQ (JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF) and VPU (Vanguard Utilities ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - JEPQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the Nasdaq-100 Index, while VPU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Utilities 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, JEPQ returned 19.03%/yr vs 12.74%/yr for VPU. At a 0.25 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. JEPQ charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VPU.

Performance

JEPQ vs. VPU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPQ) 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, JEPQ achieves a 8.60% return, which is significantly higher than VPU's 6.36% return.

JEPQ

• 1D: 1.81%
• 1M: -1.74%
• 6M: 8.97%
• YTD: 8.60%
• 1Y: 21.02%
• 3Y*: 19.03%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 16.32%

VPU

• 1D: 0.01%
• 1M: 0.81%
• 6M: 5.41%
• YTD: 6.36%
• 1Y: 9.89%
• 3Y*: 12.74%
• 5Y*: 9.81%
• 10Y*: 8.73%
• ALL TIME*: 9.80%

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

JEPQ vs. VPU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
JEPQ JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF	8.60%	15.18%	24.85%	36.28%	-11.16%
VPU Vanguard Utilities ETF	6.36%	16.46%	23.04%	-7.45%	2.08%

Correlation

The correlation between JEPQ and VPU is 0.05, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.05
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.13
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 4, 2022	0.25

Over the past year, the correlation between JEPQ and VPU has dropped to 0.05 - well below their long-term average of 0.25, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

JEPQ vs. VPU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	JEPQ	VPU
Technology	60.6%	-
Communication Services	12.8%	-
Consumer Cyclical	11.1%	-
Consumer Defensive	5.8%	-
Healthcare	4.0%	-
Industrials	3.0%	0.4%
Utilities	1.0%	98.8%
Basic Materials	0.9%	-
Financial Services	0.3%	-
Energy	0.3%	0.4%
Real Estate	0.2%	-

Return for Risk

JEPQ vs. VPU — Risk / Return Rank

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

JEPQ

JEPQ Risk / Return Rank: 65
JEPQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
JEPQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
JEPQ Omega Ratio Rank: 64
JEPQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
JEPQ Martin Ratio Rank: 79

VPU

VPU Risk / Return Rank: 26
VPU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
VPU Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
VPU Omega Ratio Rank: 24
VPU Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
VPU 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.

JEPQ vs. VPU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	JEPQ	VPU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.51	0.68	+0.83
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.07	1.01	+1.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.12	+0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.40	1.12	+1.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.82	2.32	+8.50

JEPQ vs. VPU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JEPQ Sharpe Ratio is 1.51, which is higher than the VPU Sharpe Ratio of 0.68. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JEPQ 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.

Drawdowns

JEPQ vs. VPU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JEPQ drawdown since its inception was -20.07%, smaller than the maximum VPU drawdown of -46.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JEPQ and VPU.

Drawdown Indicators

	JEPQ	VPU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.07%	-46.31%	+26.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.82%	-8.90%	+0.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.07%	-17.34%	-2.73%
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	-1.93%	-4.40%	+2.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.37%	-7.76%	+4.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.95%	4.27%	-2.32%

Volatility

JEPQ vs. VPU - Volatility Comparison

JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPQ) has a higher volatility of 5.89% compared to Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) at 4.11%. This indicates that JEPQ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VPU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	JEPQ	VPU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.89%	4.11%	+1.78%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.60%	11.56%	+0.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.00%	14.55%	-0.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.83%	17.04%	-0.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.83%	19.15%	-2.32%

JEPQ vs. VPU - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

JEPQ vs. VPU - Dividend Comparison

JEPQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.50%, more than VPU's 2.66% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
JEPQ JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF	10.50%	10.53%	9.65%	10.03%	9.44%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VPU Vanguard Utilities ETF	2.66%	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 JEPQ and VPU in my portfolio?

JEPQ and VPU have a correlation of 0.05, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, JEPQ or VPU?

JEPQ has higher volatility (5.89%) compared to VPU (4.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JEPQ dropped -20.07% vs VPU's -46.31%.

Which ETF is better, JEPQ or VPU?

On 3-year performance, JEPQ leads with 19.03% vs 12.74% for VPU. On fees, VPU is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, VPU has been the lower-risk option at 4.11%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, JEPQ or VPU?

Over the 3-year period, JEPQ has performed better with a 19.03% return vs 12.74%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, JEPQ or VPU?

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

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

JEPQ has the higher dividend yield at 10.50%, compared with 2.66% for VPU.

What is the main difference between JEPQ and VPU?

JEPQ is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while VPU is Utilities Equities. JEPQ tracks Nasdaq-100 Index, while VPU tracks MSCI US Investable Market Utilities 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: JPMorgan and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for JEPQ and 0.09% for VPU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

JEPQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.51 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.