POWR vs. VPU

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

POWR (iShares U.S. Power Infrastructure ETF) and VPU (Vanguard Utilities ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - POWR is a Infrastructure Equities fund tracking the S&P U.S. Power Infrastructure Select 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 10 years, POWR returned 8.26%/yr vs 8.92%/yr for VPU. Their 0.25 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. POWR charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VPU.

Performance

POWR vs. VPU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares U.S. Power Infrastructure ETF (POWR) 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, POWR achieves a 14.51% return, which is significantly higher than VPU's 4.34% return. Over the past 10 years, POWR has underperformed VPU with an annualized return of 8.26%, while VPU has yielded a comparatively higher 8.92% annualized return.

POWR

• 1D: 0.56%
• 1M: -1.72%
• 6M: 7.99%
• YTD: 14.51%
• 1Y: 19.11%
• 3Y*: 8.34%
• 5Y*: 16.29%
• 10Y*: 8.26%
• ALL TIME*: 4.20%

VPU

• 1D: -0.53%
• 1M: -3.54%
• 6M: 2.73%
• YTD: 4.34%
• 1Y: 3.80%
• 3Y*: 14.52%
• 5Y*: 8.54%
• 10Y*: 8.92%
• ALL TIME*: 9.69%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
POWR iShares U.S. Power Infrastructure ETF	$6.73M	$6.88M	$7.50M
VPU Vanguard Utilities ETF	$50.50M	$44.54M	$44.64M

POWR vs. VPU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
POWR iShares U.S. Power Infrastructure ETF	14.51%	10.81%	-1.30%	3.66%	42.54%	42.03%	-28.30%	8.44%	-11.74%	9.69%
VPU Vanguard Utilities ETF	4.34%	16.46%	23.04%	-7.45%	1.06%	17.40%	-0.74%	24.89%	4.38%	12.44%

Correlation

The correlation between POWR and VPU is 0.47, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.47
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.34
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.30
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.23
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2012	0.25

Over the past year, POWR and VPU have become more correlated (0.47) than their long-term average of 0.25, meaning their price movements have been converging.

POWR vs. VPU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	POWR	VPU
Utilities	58.2%	98.9%
Industrials	23.7%	0.2%
Energy	12.4%	0.5%
Technology	5.4%	-
Basic Materials	0.1%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

POWR vs. VPU — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

POWR

POWR Risk / Return Rank: 43
POWR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
POWR Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
POWR Omega Ratio Rank: 37
POWR Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
POWR Martin Ratio Rank: 52

VPU

VPU Risk / Return Rank: 15
VPU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
VPU Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
VPU Omega Ratio Rank: 14
VPU Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
VPU Martin Ratio Rank: 16

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

POWR vs. VPU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Power Infrastructure ETF (POWR) 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.

	POWR	VPU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.11	0.26	+0.85
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.59	0.46	+1.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.05	+0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.96	0.43	+1.54
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.80	0.88	+5.92

POWR vs. VPU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current POWR Sharpe Ratio is 1.11, which is higher than the VPU Sharpe Ratio of 0.26. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of POWR 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

POWR vs. VPU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum POWR drawdown since its inception was -65.98%, which is greater than VPU's maximum drawdown of -46.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for POWR and VPU.

Drawdown Indicators

	POWR	VPU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-65.98%	-46.31%	-19.67%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.77%	-8.90%	-0.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.14%	-12.95%	-10.19%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.09%	-25.15%	+0.06%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-63.42%	-36.42%	-27.00%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.79%	-6.21%	+1.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.98%	-7.76%	-10.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.82%	4.36%	-1.54%

Volatility

POWR vs. VPU - Volatility Comparison

iShares U.S. Power Infrastructure ETF (POWR) has a higher volatility of 5.42% compared to Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) at 3.71%. This indicates that POWR'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

	POWR	VPU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.42%	3.71%	+1.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.59%	11.71%	+1.88%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.26%	14.72%	+2.54%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.92%	17.06%	+5.86%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.51%	19.16%	+6.35%

POWR vs. VPU - Expense Ratio Comparison

POWR has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than VPU's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

POWR vs. VPU - Dividend Comparison

POWR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.63%, more than VPU's 2.71% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
POWR iShares U.S. Power Infrastructure ETF	5.63%	7.56%	4.36%	4.16%	4.82%	3.94%	3.96%	5.71%	3.17%	3.11%	2.75%	3.42%
VPU Vanguard Utilities ETF	2.71%	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 POWR and VPU in my portfolio?

POWR and VPU have a correlation of 0.47, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, POWR or VPU?

POWR has higher volatility (5.42%) compared to VPU (3.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, POWR dropped -65.98% vs VPU's -46.31%.

Which ETF is better, POWR or VPU?

On 10-year performance, VPU leads with 8.92% vs 8.26% for POWR. On fees, VPU is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, VPU has been the lower-risk option at 3.71%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, POWR or VPU?

Over the 10-year period, VPU has performed better with a 8.92% return vs 8.26%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, POWR or VPU?

VPU is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for POWR.

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

POWR has the higher dividend yield at 5.63%, compared with 2.71% for VPU.

What is the main difference between POWR and VPU?

POWR is categorized as Infrastructure Equities, while VPU is Utilities Equities. POWR tracks S&P U.S. Power Infrastructure Select Index, while VPU tracks MSCI US Investable Market Utilities 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for POWR and 0.09% for VPU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

POWR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.11 vs 0.26), 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.