PRUAX vs. VUIAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PRUAX (PGIM Jennison Utility Fund) and VUIAX (Vanguard Utilities Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Utilities Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, PRUAX returned 10.47%/yr vs 9.05%/yr for VUIAX. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PRUAX charges 0.83%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VUIAX.

Performance

PRUAX vs. VUIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PGIM Jennison Utility Fund (PRUAX) and Vanguard Utilities Index Fund Admiral Shares (VUIAX). 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 lower than VUIAX's 3.85% return. Over the past 10 years, PRUAX has outperformed VUIAX with an annualized return of 10.47%, while VUIAX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.05% 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%

VUIAX

• 1D: 1.99%
• 1M: -4.84%
• YTD: 3.85%
• 6M: 1.87%
• 1Y: 10.24%
• 3Y*: 13.81%
• 5Y*: 9.16%
• 10Y*: 9.05%

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

PRUAX vs. VUIAX - 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%
VUIAX Vanguard Utilities Index Fund Admiral Shares	3.85%	16.39%	23.03%	-7.49%	1.13%	17.16%	-0.90%	24.97%	4.45%	12.49%

Correlation

The correlation between PRUAX and VUIAX is 0.98 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.98
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 3, 2004	0.89

The correlation between PRUAX and VUIAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PRUAX vs. VUIAX — 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

VUIAX

VUIAX Risk / Return Rank: 9
VUIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
VUIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
VUIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 9
VUIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
VUIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 9

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. VUIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM Jennison Utility Fund (PRUAX) and Vanguard Utilities Index Fund Admiral Shares (VUIAX). 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	VUIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.67	0.73	-0.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.00	1.07	-0.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.13	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.13	1.19	-0.06
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.55	2.68	-0.13
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. VUIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PRUAX Sharpe Ratio is 0.67, which is comparable to the VUIAX Sharpe Ratio of 0.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PRUAX and VUIAX, 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	VUIAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.67	0.73	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66	0.54	+0.12
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.59	0.47	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.66	0.53	+0.13

Drawdowns

PRUAX vs. VUIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PRUAX drawdown since its inception was -58.20%, which is greater than VUIAX's maximum drawdown of -46.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PRUAX and VUIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PRUAX	VUIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.20%	-46.29%	-11.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.25%	-8.87%	-0.38%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.92%	-17.42%	+2.50%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.65%	-25.18%	+4.53%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.54%	-36.21%	+0.67%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.94%	-6.69%	-0.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.43%	-7.77%	-1.66%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.10%	3.92%	+0.18%

Volatility

PRUAX vs. VUIAX - Volatility Comparison

PGIM Jennison Utility Fund (PRUAX) has a higher volatility of 5.92% compared to Vanguard Utilities Index Fund Admiral Shares (VUIAX) at 5.42%. This indicates that PRUAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VUIAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PRUAX	VUIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.92%	5.42%	+0.50%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.77%	11.64%	+1.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.55%	14.38%	+1.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.22%	17.11%	+0.11%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.89%	19.18%	-1.29%

PRUAX vs. VUIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PRUAX has a 0.83% expense ratio, which is higher than VUIAX's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

PRUAX vs. VUIAX - Dividend Comparison

PRUAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.95%, more than VUIAX's 2.67% 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%
VUIAX Vanguard Utilities Index Fund Admiral Shares	2.67%	2.73%	3.01%	3.49%	2.98%	2.56%	3.17%	2.82%	3.23%	3.18%	3.19%	3.64%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PRUAX and VUIAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.98, PRUAX and VUIAX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, PRUAX or VUIAX?

PRUAX has higher volatility (5.92%) compared to VUIAX (5.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PRUAX dropped -58.20% vs VUIAX's -46.29%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VUIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.73 vs 0.67), 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.