MU vs. VPU

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

MU (Micron Technology, Inc.) is a stock, while VPU (Vanguard Utilities ETF) is Utilities Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Utilities 25/50 Index. Over the past 10 years, MU returned 55.03%/yr vs 8.85%/yr for VPU. At a 0.21 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

MU vs. VPU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Micron Technology, Inc. (MU) 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, MU achieves a 232.74% return, which is significantly higher than VPU's 2.68% return. Over the past 10 years, MU has outperformed VPU with an annualized return of 55.03%, while VPU has yielded a comparatively lower 8.85% annualized return.

MU

• 1D: 9.87%
• 1M: 27.11%
• YTD: 232.74%
• 6M: 284.77%
• 1Y: 776.52%
• 3Y*: 144.94%
• 5Y*: 65.39%
• 10Y*: 55.03%

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)

MU vs. VPU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MU Micron Technology, Inc.	232.74%	240.24%	-0.96%	71.93%	-45.93%	24.21%	39.79%	69.49%	-22.84%	87.59%
VPU Vanguard Utilities ETF	2.68%	16.46%	23.04%	-7.45%	1.06%	17.40%	-0.74%	24.89%	4.38%	12.44%

Correlation

The correlation between MU and VPU is 0.04, 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	0.04
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.07
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.11
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.10
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2004	0.21

The correlation between MU and VPU shifts across timeframes, from 0.04 (1 year) to 0.21 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

MU vs. VPU — Risk / Return Rank

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

MU

MU Risk / Return Rank: 99
MU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
MU Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
MU Omega Ratio Rank: 98
MU Calmar Ratio Rank: 100
MU Martin Ratio Rank: 100

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.

MU vs. VPU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Micron Technology, Inc. (MU) 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.

	MU	VPU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	11.44	0.75	+10.69
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	6.27	1.09	+5.18
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.81	1.14	+0.68
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	25.90	1.20	+24.69
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	100.37	2.66	+97.71
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MU vs. VPU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MU Sharpe Ratio is 11.44, which is higher than the VPU Sharpe Ratio of 0.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MU 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

	MU	VPU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.44	0.75	+10.69
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.24	0.52	+0.72
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.11	0.46	+0.64
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.31	0.53	-0.23

Drawdowns

MU vs. VPU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MU drawdown since its inception was -98.25%, which is greater than VPU's maximum drawdown of -46.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MU and VPU.

Drawdown Indicators

	MU	VPU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-98.25%	-46.31%	-51.94%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-30.28%	-8.90%	-21.38%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-57.63%	-17.34%	-40.29%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-57.63%	-25.15%	-32.48%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-57.63%	-36.42%	-21.21%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-12.07%	-7.71%	-4.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-58.19%	-7.78%	-50.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.80%	4.02%	+3.78%

Volatility

MU vs. VPU - Volatility Comparison

Micron Technology, Inc. (MU) has a higher volatility of 34.16% compared to Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) at 5.56%. This indicates that MU'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

	MU	VPU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	34.16%	5.56%	+28.60%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	56.74%	11.53%	+45.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	68.70%	14.38%	+54.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	52.91%	17.07%	+35.84%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	49.99%	19.14%	+30.85%

Dividends

MU vs. VPU - Dividend Comparison

MU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.05%, less than VPU's 2.70% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MU Micron Technology, Inc.	0.05%	0.16%	0.55%	0.54%	0.89%	0.21%	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 MU and VPU in my portfolio?

MU and VPU have a correlation of 0.04, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MU or VPU?

MU has higher volatility (34.16%) compared to VPU (5.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MU dropped -98.25% vs VPU's -46.31%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (11.44 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.