PUI vs. VPU

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

PUI (Invesco DWA Utilities Momentum ETF) and VPU (Vanguard Utilities ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PUI is a Momentum fund tracking the DWA Utilities Technical Leaders 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, PUI returned 8.38%/yr vs 9.08%/yr for VPU. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PUI charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VPU.

Performance

PUI vs. VPU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco DWA Utilities Momentum ETF (PUI) 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, PUI achieves a 6.82% return, which is significantly higher than VPU's 3.78% return. Over the past 10 years, PUI has underperformed VPU with an annualized return of 8.38%, while VPU has yielded a comparatively higher 9.08% annualized return.

PUI

• 1D: 1.81%
• 1M: -4.23%
• YTD: 6.82%
• 6M: 4.11%
• 1Y: 12.64%
• 3Y*: 15.43%
• 5Y*: 8.61%
• 10Y*: 8.38%

VPU

• 1D: 1.96%
• 1M: -5.14%
• YTD: 3.78%
• 6M: 1.55%
• 1Y: 10.46%
• 3Y*: 13.83%
• 5Y*: 9.19%
• 10Y*: 9.08%

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

PUI vs. VPU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PUI Invesco DWA Utilities Momentum ETF	6.82%	15.25%	23.91%	-4.47%	-2.17%	15.02%	-5.05%	20.95%	6.12%	11.85%
VPU Vanguard Utilities ETF	3.78%	16.46%	23.04%	-7.45%	1.06%	17.40%	-0.74%	24.89%	4.38%	12.44%

Correlation

The correlation between PUI and VPU is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 27, 2005	0.91

The correlation between PUI and VPU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

PUI vs. VPU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PUI	VPU
Utilities	77.6%	99.3%
Energy	10.5%	0.5%
Industrials	9.8%	0.2%
Communication Services	2.1%	-
Financial Services	0.1%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-

Return for Risk

PUI vs. VPU — Risk / Return Rank

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

PUI

PUI Risk / Return Rank: 23
PUI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
PUI Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
PUI Omega Ratio Rank: 22
PUI Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
PUI Martin Ratio Rank: 21

VPU

VPU Risk / Return Rank: 22
VPU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
VPU Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
VPU Omega Ratio Rank: 21
VPU Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
VPU Martin Ratio Rank: 22

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. VPU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco DWA Utilities Momentum ETF (PUI) 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.

	PUI	VPU	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.85	0.74	+0.11
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.22	1.08	+0.15
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.13	+0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.15	1.21	-0.07
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	2.67	2.75	-0.07
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. VPU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PUI Sharpe Ratio is 0.85, which is comparable to the VPU Sharpe Ratio of 0.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PUI 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	PUI	VPU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.85	0.74	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52	0.54	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.44	0.48	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.53	-0.08

Drawdowns

PUI vs. VPU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PUI drawdown since its inception was -43.20%, smaller than the maximum VPU drawdown of -46.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PUI and VPU.

Drawdown Indicators

	PUI	VPU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.20%	-46.31%	+3.11%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.07%	-8.90%	-2.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.28%	-17.34%	+2.06%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.47%	-25.15%	+1.68%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.61%	-36.42%	+0.81%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.86%	-6.72%	+1.86%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.46%	-7.78%	-0.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.75%	3.94%	+0.81%

Volatility

PUI vs. VPU - Volatility Comparison

Invesco DWA Utilities Momentum ETF (PUI) and Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) have volatilities of 5.31% and 5.34%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PUI	VPU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.31%	5.34%	-0.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.34%	11.58%	-0.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.95%	14.29%	+0.66%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.67%	17.05%	-0.38%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.07%	19.13%	-0.06%

PUI vs. VPU - Expense Ratio Comparison

PUI has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than VPU's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

PUI vs. VPU - Dividend Comparison

PUI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.10%, less than VPU's 2.67% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PUI Invesco DWA Utilities Momentum ETF	2.10%	2.22%	2.06%	2.36%	2.16%	2.03%	2.42%	2.02%	1.87%	2.98%	3.35%	2.82%
VPU Vanguard Utilities ETF	2.67%	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 PUI and VPU in my portfolio?

PUI and VPU have a correlation of 0.89, 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 VPU?

VPU has higher volatility (5.34%) compared to PUI (5.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PUI dropped -43.20% vs VPU's -46.31%.

Which ETF is better, PUI or VPU?

On 10-year performance, VPU leads with 9.08% vs 8.38% for PUI. On fees, VPU is cheaper at 0.10% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PUI or VPU?

Over the 10-year period, VPU has performed better with a 9.08% return vs 8.38%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PUI or VPU?

VPU is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for PUI.

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

VPU has the higher dividend yield at 2.67%, compared with 2.10% for PUI.

What is the main difference between PUI and VPU?

PUI is categorized as Momentum, while VPU is Utilities Equities. PUI tracks DWA Utilities Technical Leaders Index, while VPU tracks MSCI US Investable Market Utilities 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for PUI and 0.10% for VPU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PUI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.85 vs 0.74), 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.