PUI vs. FXU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PUI (Invesco DWA Utilities Momentum ETF) and FXU (First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - PUI is a Momentum fund tracking the DWA Utilities Technical Leaders Index, while FXU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the StrataQuant Utilities Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, PUI returned 8.33%/yr vs 9.21%/yr for FXU. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PUI charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.62%/yr for FXU.

Performance

PUI vs. FXU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco DWA Utilities Momentum ETF (PUI) and First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund (FXU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with PUI having a 6.30% return and FXU slightly lower at 6.16%. Over the past 10 years, PUI has underperformed FXU with an annualized return of 8.33%, while FXU has yielded a comparatively higher 9.21% annualized return.

PUI

• 1D: -0.49%
• 1M: -4.33%
• YTD: 6.30%
• 6M: 3.12%
• 1Y: 11.74%
• 3Y*: 15.24%
• 5Y*: 8.55%
• 10Y*: 8.33%

FXU

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: -3.16%
• YTD: 6.16%
• 6M: 5.04%
• 1Y: 13.42%
• 3Y*: 17.52%
• 5Y*: 11.68%
• 10Y*: 9.21%

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

PUI vs. FXU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PUI Invesco DWA Utilities Momentum ETF	6.30%	15.25%	23.91%	-4.47%	-2.17%	15.02%	-5.05%	20.95%	6.12%	11.85%
FXU First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund	6.16%	21.86%	22.50%	-2.12%	3.68%	17.67%	1.53%	11.67%	5.43%	0.98%

Correlation

The correlation between PUI and FXU is 0.80, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 11, 2007	0.85

The correlation between PUI and FXU shifts across timeframes, from 0.80 (1 year) to 0.92 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

PUI vs. FXU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PUI	FXU
Utilities	77.6%	92.0%
Energy	10.5%	3.7%
Industrials	9.8%	4.2%
Communication Services	2.1%	-
Financial Services	0.1%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-

Return for Risk

PUI vs. FXU — Risk / Return Rank

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

PUI

PUI Risk / Return Rank: 22
PUI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
PUI Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
PUI Omega Ratio Rank: 21
PUI Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
PUI Martin Ratio Rank: 21

FXU

FXU Risk / Return Rank: 28
FXU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
FXU Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
FXU Omega Ratio Rank: 26
FXU Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
FXU Martin Ratio Rank: 30

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.

PUI vs. FXU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco DWA Utilities Momentum ETF (PUI) and First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund (FXU). 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.

	PUI	FXU	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.79	1.02	-0.24
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.15	1.45	-0.30
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.18	-0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.07	1.56	-0.50
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	2.48	4.43	-1.95
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PUI vs. FXU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PUI Sharpe Ratio is 0.79, which is comparable to the FXU Sharpe Ratio of 1.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PUI and FXU, 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

	PUI	FXU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.79	1.02	-0.24
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52	0.71	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.44	0.50	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.42	+0.03

Drawdowns

PUI vs. FXU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PUI drawdown since its inception was -43.20%, smaller than the maximum FXU drawdown of -49.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PUI and FXU.

Drawdown Indicators

	PUI	FXU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.20%	-49.00%	+5.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.07%	-8.63%	-2.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.28%	-17.46%	+2.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.47%	-21.87%	-1.60%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.61%	-34.81%	-0.80%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.33%	-7.34%	+2.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.46%	-7.64%	-0.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.76%	3.07%	+1.69%

Volatility

PUI vs. FXU - Volatility Comparison

Invesco DWA Utilities Momentum ETF (PUI) has a higher volatility of 5.31% compared to First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund (FXU) at 4.65%. This indicates that PUI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FXU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PUI	FXU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.31%	4.65%	+0.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.14%	10.14%	+1.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.96%	13.17%	+1.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.67%	16.58%	+0.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.07%	18.33%	+0.74%

PUI vs. FXU - Expense Ratio Comparison

PUI has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than FXU's 0.62% expense ratio.

Dividends

PUI vs. FXU - Dividend Comparison

PUI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.11%, less than FXU's 2.20% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FXU First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund	2.20%	2.29%	2.41%	2.52%	2.03%	2.00%	3.97%	2.34%	2.40%	3.81%	2.62%	3.90%
PUI Invesco DWA Utilities Momentum ETF	2.11%	2.22%	2.06%	2.36%	2.16%	2.03%	2.42%	2.02%	1.87%	2.98%	3.35%	2.82%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PUI and FXU in my portfolio?

PUI and FXU have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PUI or FXU?

PUI has higher volatility (5.31%) compared to FXU (4.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PUI dropped -43.20% vs FXU's -49.00%.

Which ETF is better, PUI or FXU?

On 10-year performance, FXU leads with 9.21% vs 8.33% for PUI. On fees, PUI is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, FXU has been the lower-risk option at 4.65%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PUI or FXU?

Over the 10-year period, FXU has performed better with a 9.21% return vs 8.33%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PUI or FXU?

PUI is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.62% for FXU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PUI or FXU?

FXU has the higher dividend yield at 2.20%, compared with 2.11% for PUI.

What is the main difference between PUI and FXU?

PUI is categorized as Momentum, while FXU is Utilities Equities. PUI tracks DWA Utilities Technical Leaders Index, while FXU tracks StrataQuant Utilities Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for PUI and 0.62% for FXU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FXU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.02 vs 0.79), 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.