PRUAX vs. UTES

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PRUAX (PGIM Jennison Utility Fund) and UTES (Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF) are both Utilities Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, PRUAX returned 10.47%/yr vs 12.40%/yr for UTES. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PRUAX charges 0.83%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for UTES.

Performance

PRUAX vs. UTES - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PGIM Jennison Utility Fund (PRUAX) and Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF (UTES). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PRUAX achieves a 3.61% return, which is significantly higher than UTES's 0.08% return. Over the past 10 years, PRUAX has underperformed UTES with an annualized return of 10.47%, while UTES has yielded a comparatively higher 12.40% annualized return.

PRUAX

• 1D: 2.04%
• 1M: -5.67%
• YTD: 3.61%
• 6M: 1.46%
• 1Y: 10.14%
• 3Y*: 17.80%
• 5Y*: 11.34%
• 10Y*: 10.47%

UTES

• 1D: -0.98%
• 1M: -6.58%
• YTD: 0.08%
• 6M: -1.81%
• 1Y: 7.86%
• 3Y*: 22.78%
• 5Y*: 15.66%
• 10Y*: 12.40%

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

PRUAX vs. UTES - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PRUAX PGIM Jennison Utility Fund	3.61%	11.47%	39.83%	-3.96%	-0.18%	14.89%	4.14%	27.06%	1.14%	13.78%
UTES Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF	0.08%	25.71%	45.35%	-2.46%	0.80%	20.74%	-0.30%	25.48%	5.14%	14.21%

Correlation

The correlation between PRUAX and UTES is 0.88, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 25, 2015	0.82

The correlation between PRUAX and UTES has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PRUAX vs. UTES — Risk / Return Rank

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

PRUAX

PRUAX Risk / Return Rank: 9
PRUAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
PRUAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
PRUAX Omega Ratio Rank: 8
PRUAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 12
PRUAX Martin Ratio Rank: 9

UTES

UTES Risk / Return Rank: 14
UTES Sharpe Ratio Rank: 14
UTES Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
UTES Omega Ratio Rank: 14
UTES Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
UTES Martin Ratio Rank: 15

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.

PRUAX vs. UTES - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM Jennison Utility Fund (PRUAX) and Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF (UTES). 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.

	PRUAX	UTES	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.67	0.37	+0.30
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.00	0.64	+0.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.08	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.13	0.57	+0.56
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.55	1.30	+1.25
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PRUAX vs. UTES - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PRUAX Sharpe Ratio is 0.67, which is higher than the UTES Sharpe Ratio of 0.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PRUAX and UTES, 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

	PRUAX	UTES	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.67	0.37	+0.30
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66	0.76	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.59	0.62	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.66	0.70	-0.04

Drawdowns

PRUAX vs. UTES - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PRUAX drawdown since its inception was -58.20%, which is greater than UTES's maximum drawdown of -35.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PRUAX and UTES.

Drawdown Indicators

	PRUAX	UTES	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.20%	-35.39%	-22.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.25%	-13.88%	+4.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.92%	-17.62%	+2.70%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.65%	-20.40%	-0.25%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.54%	-35.39%	-0.15%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.94%	-9.26%	+2.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.43%	-5.52%	-3.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.10%	6.08%	-1.98%

Volatility

PRUAX vs. UTES - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for PGIM Jennison Utility Fund (PRUAX) is 5.92%, while Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF (UTES) has a volatility of 7.40%. This indicates that PRUAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than UTES based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PRUAX	UTES	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.92%	7.40%	-1.48%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.77%	16.95%	-4.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.55%	21.27%	-5.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.22%	20.60%	-3.38%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.89%	20.16%	-2.27%

PRUAX vs. UTES - Expense Ratio Comparison

PRUAX has a 0.83% expense ratio, which is higher than UTES's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

PRUAX vs. UTES - Dividend Comparison

PRUAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.95%, more than UTES's 1.50% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PRUAX PGIM Jennison Utility Fund	10.95%	11.24%	18.59%	9.82%	8.33%	13.94%	2.07%	5.62%	9.19%	4.19%	7.64%	11.96%
UTES Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF	1.50%	1.42%	1.51%	2.44%	2.13%	1.94%	2.09%	1.84%	2.09%	3.44%	3.53%	0.61%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PRUAX and UTES in my portfolio?

PRUAX and UTES have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PRUAX or UTES?

UTES has higher volatility (7.40%) compared to PRUAX (5.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PRUAX dropped -58.20% vs UTES's -35.39%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PRUAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.67 vs 0.37), 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.