PSCU vs. VOO

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

PSCU (Invesco S&P SmallCap Utilities & Communication Services ETF) and VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PSCU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the S&P SmallCap 600 Capped Utilities & Communication Services Index, while VOO is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, PSCU returned 5.24%/yr vs 15.14%/yr for VOO. Their 0.59 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. PSCU charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VOO.

Performance

PSCU vs. VOO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco S&P SmallCap Utilities & Communication Services ETF (PSCU) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PSCU achieves a 11.84% return, which is significantly higher than VOO's 10.16% return. Over the past 10 years, PSCU has underperformed VOO with an annualized return of 5.24%, while VOO has yielded a comparatively higher 15.14% annualized return.

PSCU

• 1D: -0.57%
• 1M: -2.09%
• 6M: 8.75%
• YTD: 11.84%
• 1Y: 19.08%
• 3Y*: 6.73%
• 5Y*: 0.82%
• 10Y*: 5.24%
• ALL TIME*: 8.57%

VOO

• 1D: 0.71%
• 1M: 0.26%
• 6M: 8.58%
• YTD: 10.16%
• 1Y: 21.58%
• 3Y*: 19.42%
• 5Y*: 12.83%
• 10Y*: 15.14%
• ALL TIME*: 14.78%

*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)
PSCU Invesco S&P SmallCap Utilities & Communication Services ETF	$42.89K	$70.43K	$77.81K
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	$3.82B	$3.78B	$5.44B

PSCU vs. VOO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PSCU Invesco S&P SmallCap Utilities & Communication Services ETF	11.84%	-1.93%	10.68%	2.12%	-19.73%	30.12%	3.80%	9.67%	-4.80%	12.42%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	10.16%	17.82%	24.98%	26.32%	-18.17%	28.79%	18.32%	31.37%	-4.50%	21.77%

Correlation

The correlation between PSCU and VOO is 0.53, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.53
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.56
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.62
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.59
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 9, 2010	0.59

The correlation between PSCU and VOO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.53 to 0.62 - a consistent structural relationship.

PSCU vs. VOO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PSCU	VOO
Communication Services	57.1%	9.9%
Utilities	32.3%	2.2%
Consumer Cyclical	4.1%	9.5%
Industrials	3.7%	8.5%
Real Estate	2.0%	1.8%
Technology	0.8%	38.6%
Financial Services	0.0%	11.4%
Basic Materials	-	1.7%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.5%
Energy	-	3.0%
Healthcare	-	8.9%

Return for Risk

PSCU vs. VOO — Risk / Return Rank

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

PSCU

PSCU Risk / Return Rank: 44
PSCU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
PSCU Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
PSCU Omega Ratio Rank: 37
PSCU Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
PSCU Martin Ratio Rank: 44

VOO

VOO Risk / Return Rank: 68
VOO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
VOO Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
VOO Omega Ratio Rank: 66
VOO Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
VOO Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

PSCU vs. VOO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco S&P SmallCap Utilities & Communication Services ETF (PSCU) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). 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.

	PSCU	VOO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.04	1.53	-0.50
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.58	2.13	-0.55
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.28	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.95	2.21	-0.26
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.92	9.44	-4.52

PSCU vs. VOO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSCU Sharpe Ratio is 1.04, which is lower than the VOO Sharpe Ratio of 1.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSCU and VOO, 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

PSCU vs. VOO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSCU drawdown since its inception was -29.97%, smaller than the maximum VOO drawdown of -33.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSCU and VOO.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSCU	VOO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.97%	-33.99%	+4.02%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.32%	-8.90%	+0.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.55%	-18.69%	-4.86%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.97%	-24.52%	-5.45%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-29.97%	-33.99%	+4.02%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.84%	-1.38%	-2.46%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.62%	-3.67%	-3.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.32%	2.08%	+1.24%

Volatility

PSCU vs. VOO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Invesco S&P SmallCap Utilities & Communication Services ETF (PSCU) is 2.99%, while Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) has a volatility of 3.54%. This indicates that PSCU experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VOO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PSCU	VOO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.99%	3.54%	-0.55%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.20%	10.10%	+1.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.67%	12.82%	+2.85%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.40%	16.93%	+1.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.50%	18.01%	+1.49%

PSCU vs. VOO - Expense Ratio Comparison

PSCU has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is higher than VOO's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

PSCU vs. VOO - Dividend Comparison

PSCU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.99%, less than VOO's 1.07% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PSCU Invesco S&P SmallCap Utilities & Communication Services ETF	0.99%	1.10%	0.98%	1.60%	1.71%	2.69%	1.20%	2.47%	2.35%	1.84%	6.93%	2.94%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	1.07%	1.13%	1.24%	1.46%	1.69%	1.25%	1.54%	1.88%	2.06%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PSCU and VOO in my portfolio?

PSCU and VOO have a correlation of 0.53, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PSCU or VOO?

VOO has higher volatility (3.54%) compared to PSCU (2.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSCU dropped -29.97% vs VOO's -33.99%.

Which ETF is better, PSCU or VOO?

On 10-year performance, VOO leads with 15.14% vs 5.24% for PSCU. On fees, VOO is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, PSCU has been the lower-risk option at 2.99%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PSCU or VOO?

Over the 10-year period, VOO has performed better with a 15.14% return vs 5.24%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PSCU or VOO?

VOO is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.29% for PSCU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PSCU or VOO?

VOO has the higher dividend yield at 1.07%, compared with 0.99% for PSCU.

What is the main difference between PSCU and VOO?

PSCU is categorized as Utilities Equities, while VOO is S&P 500. PSCU tracks S&P SmallCap 600 Capped Utilities & Communication Services Index, while VOO tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.29% for PSCU and 0.03% for VOO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VOO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.53 vs 1.04), 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.