SDCP vs. UTES

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

SDCP (Virtus Newfleet Short Duration Core Plus Bond ETF) and UTES (Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SDCP is a Short-Term Bond fund actively managed by Virtus, while UTES is a Utilities Equities fund actively managed by Virtus. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, SDCP returned 3.50% vs -3.98% for UTES. Their 0.12 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. SDCP charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for UTES.

Performance

SDCP vs. UTES - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus Newfleet Short Duration Core Plus Bond ETF (SDCP) 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, SDCP achieves a 1.52% return, which is significantly higher than UTES's -1.07% return.

SDCP

• 1D: -0.01%
• 1M: 0.07%
• 6M: 1.17%
• YTD: 1.52%
• 1Y: 3.50%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 5.22%

UTES

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: -4.28%
• 6M: 0.59%
• YTD: -1.07%
• 1Y: -3.98%
• 3Y*: 21.10%
• 5Y*: 14.97%
• 10Y*: 11.78%
• ALL TIME*: 13.50%

*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)
SDCP Virtus Newfleet Short Duration Core Plus Bond ETF	$5.71K	$6.25K	$9.87K
UTES Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF	$11.16M	$10.04M	$13.72M

SDCP vs. UTES - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
SDCP Virtus Newfleet Short Duration Core Plus Bond ETF	1.52%	5.37%	5.24%	1.94%
UTES Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF	-1.07%	25.71%	45.35%	3.12%

Correlation

The correlation between SDCP and UTES is 0.16, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.16
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 16, 2023	0.12

Return for Risk

SDCP vs. UTES — Risk / Return Rank

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

SDCP

SDCP Risk / Return Rank: 95
SDCP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
SDCP Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
SDCP Omega Ratio Rank: 96
SDCP Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
SDCP Martin Ratio Rank: 93

UTES

UTES Risk / Return Rank: 7
UTES Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
UTES Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
UTES Omega Ratio Rank: 8
UTES Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
UTES Martin Ratio Rank: 7

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.

SDCP vs. UTES - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus Newfleet Short Duration Core Plus Bond ETF (SDCP) 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.

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.

	SDCP	UTES	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.82	-0.20	+3.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.41	-0.14	+4.55
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.65	0.98	+0.66
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.48	-0.31	+4.79
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.75	-0.65	+17.39

SDCP vs. UTES - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SDCP Sharpe Ratio is 2.82, which is higher than the UTES Sharpe Ratio of -0.20. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SDCP 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.

Drawdowns

SDCP vs. UTES - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SDCP drawdown since its inception was -1.00%, smaller than the maximum UTES drawdown of -35.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SDCP and UTES.

Drawdown Indicators

	SDCP	UTES	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.00%	-35.39%	+34.39%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.82%	-13.88%	+13.06%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-17.62%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-20.40%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.39%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.09%	-10.30%	+10.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.17%	-5.54%	+5.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.22%	6.72%	-6.50%

Volatility

SDCP vs. UTES - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Virtus Newfleet Short Duration Core Plus Bond ETF (SDCP) is 0.28%, while Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF (UTES) has a volatility of 5.50%. This indicates that SDCP 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

	SDCP	UTES	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.28%	5.50%	-5.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.75%	16.19%	-15.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.31%	21.39%	-20.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.99%	20.74%	-18.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.99%	20.26%	-18.27%

SDCP vs. UTES - Expense Ratio Comparison

SDCP has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than UTES's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

SDCP vs. UTES - Dividend Comparison

SDCP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.15%, more than UTES's 1.53% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SDCP Virtus Newfleet Short Duration Core Plus Bond ETF	5.15%	5.16%	5.25%	0.59%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
UTES Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF	1.53%	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 SDCP and UTES in my portfolio?

SDCP and UTES have a correlation of 0.16, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SDCP or UTES?

UTES has higher volatility (5.50%) compared to SDCP (0.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SDCP dropped -1.00% vs UTES's -35.39%.

Which ETF is better, SDCP or UTES?

On 1-year performance, SDCP leads with 3.50% vs -3.98% for UTES. On fees, SDCP is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, SDCP has been the lower-risk option at 0.28%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SDCP or UTES?

Over the 1-year period, SDCP has performed better with a 3.50% return vs -3.98%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SDCP or UTES?

SDCP is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for UTES.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SDCP or UTES?

SDCP has the higher dividend yield at 5.15%, compared with 1.53% for UTES.

What is the main difference between SDCP and UTES?

SDCP is categorized as Short-Term Bond, while UTES is Utilities Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for SDCP and 0.49% for UTES.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SDCP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.82 vs -0.20), 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.