NFRA vs. VPU

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about FlexShares STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund (NFRA) and Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU).

NFRA and VPU are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. NFRA is a passively managed fund by FlexShares that tracks the performance of the STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index. It was launched on Oct 8, 2013. VPU is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the MSCI US Investable Market Utilities 25/50 Index. It was launched on Jan 26, 2004. Both NFRA and VPU are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

NFRA vs. VPU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FlexShares STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund (NFRA) and Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

NFRA vs. VPU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NFRA FlexShares STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund	5.94%	18.42%	4.76%	8.96%	-10.11%	9.61%	2.24%	26.27%	-7.74%	15.92%
VPU Vanguard Utilities ETF	7.79%	16.46%	23.04%	-7.45%	1.06%	17.40%	-0.74%	24.89%	4.38%	12.44%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NFRA achieves a 5.94% return, which is significantly lower than VPU's 7.79% return. Over the past 10 years, NFRA has underperformed VPU with an annualized return of 7.17%, while VPU has yielded a comparatively higher 9.62% annualized return.

NFRA

• 1D: 1.51%
• 1M: -4.83%
• YTD: 5.94%
• 6M: 6.34%
• 1Y: 17.73%
• 3Y*: 11.49%
• 5Y*: 6.00%
• 10Y*: 7.17%

VPU

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: -3.12%
• YTD: 7.79%
• 6M: 6.07%
• 1Y: 19.23%
• 3Y*: 13.81%
• 5Y*: 10.49%
• 10Y*: 9.62%

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

NFRA vs. VPU - Expense Ratio Comparison

NFRA has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is higher than VPU's 0.10% expense ratio.

NFRA

FlexShares STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund

VPU

Vanguard Utilities ETF

Return for Risk

NFRA vs. VPU — Risk / Return Rank

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

NFRA

NFRA Risk / Return Rank: 79
NFRA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
NFRA Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
NFRA Omega Ratio Rank: 77
NFRA Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
NFRA Martin Ratio Rank: 80

VPU

VPU Risk / Return Rank: 71
VPU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
VPU Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
VPU Omega Ratio Rank: 66
VPU Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
VPU Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

NFRA vs. VPU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FlexShares STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund (NFRA) 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.

	NFRA	VPU	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.42	1.25	+0.17
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.98	1.70	+0.29
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.23	+0.05
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.31	2.30	+0.01
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	8.54	5.48	+3.06
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NFRA vs. VPU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NFRA Sharpe Ratio is 1.42, which is comparable to the VPU Sharpe Ratio of 1.25. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NFRA and VPU, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	NFRA	VPU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.42	1.25	+0.17
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47	0.62	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.48	0.51	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.47	0.55	-0.08

Correlation

The correlation between NFRA and VPU is 0.63, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

NFRA vs. VPU - Dividend Comparison

NFRA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.69%, more than VPU's 2.57% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NFRA FlexShares STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund	5.69%	6.00%	3.33%	2.57%	2.28%	2.71%	2.22%	2.27%	3.06%	2.81%	2.98%	2.47%
VPU Vanguard Utilities ETF	2.57%	2.73%	3.02%	3.49%	2.98%	2.70%	3.17%	2.83%	3.23%	3.18%	3.19%	3.63%

Drawdowns

NFRA vs. VPU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NFRA drawdown since its inception was -32.49%, smaller than the maximum VPU drawdown of -46.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NFRA and VPU.

Drawdown Indicators

	NFRA	VPU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.49%	-46.31%	+13.82%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.84%	-8.90%	+1.06%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.75%	-25.15%	+2.40%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.49%	-36.42%	+3.93%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.83%	-3.12%	-1.71%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.56%	-7.82%	+3.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.12%	3.74%	-1.62%

Volatility

NFRA vs. VPU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FlexShares STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure Index Fund (NFRA) is 4.51%, while Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) has a volatility of 4.99%. This indicates that NFRA 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

	NFRA	VPU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.51%	4.99%	-0.48%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.58%	10.18%	-2.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.55%	15.54%	-2.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.90%	16.91%	-4.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.96%	19.07%	-4.11%