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URA vs. VPU
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

URA vs. VPU

Last updated Jun 16, 2026

URA (Global X Uranium ETF) and VPU (Vanguard Utilities ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - URA is a Uranium fund tracking the Solactive Global Uranium & Nuclear Components Total Return 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, URA returned 16.50%/yr vs 9.09%/yr for VPU. At a 0.24 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. URA charges 0.69%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VPU.

Performance

URA vs. VPU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X Uranium ETF (URA) and Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, URA achieves a 12.47% return, which is significantly higher than VPU's 5.53% return. Over the past 10 years, URA has outperformed VPU with an annualized return of 16.50%, while VPU has yielded a comparatively lower 9.09% annualized return.

URA

1D
5.58%
1M
-3.75%
YTD
12.47%
6M
12.83%
1Y
39.37%
3Y*
34.52%
5Y*
21.19%
10Y*
16.50%

VPU

1D
0.58%
1M
2.00%
YTD
5.53%
6M
4.90%
1Y
13.27%
3Y*
13.34%
5Y*
9.53%
10Y*
9.09%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

URA vs. VPU - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
URA
Global X Uranium ETF		12.47%67.18%-0.58%46.25%-11.32%57.57%41.33%-3.54%-22.11%19.36%
VPU
Vanguard Utilities ETF		5.53%16.46%23.04%-7.45%1.06%17.40%-0.74%24.89%4.38%12.44%

Correlation

The correlation between URA and VPU is 0.20, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.20

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.21

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.23

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.20

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 5, 2010

0.24

URA vs. VPU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
URA
VPU

Energy

64.2%
0.5%

Industrials

22.7%
0.2%

Utilities

7.4%
99.3%

Basic Materials

4.8%

-

Technology

0.9%

-

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Financial Services

-

-

Healthcare

-

-

Real Estate

-

-

Energy

URA
64.2%
VPU
0.5%

Industrials

URA
22.7%
VPU
0.2%

Utilities

URA
7.4%
VPU
99.3%

Basic Materials

URA
4.8%
VPU

-

Technology

URA
0.9%
VPU

-

Communication Services

URA

-

VPU

-

Consumer Cyclical

URA

-

VPU

-

Consumer Defensive

URA

-

VPU

-

Financial Services

URA

-

VPU

-

Healthcare

URA

-

VPU

-

Real Estate

URA

-

VPU

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Global X Uranium ETF

Vanguard Utilities ETF

Often compared with URA:
URA vs. NLRURA vs. URNMURA vs. NUKZURA vs. CCJURA vs. UUUUURA vs. URANURA vs. SPY
Often compared with VPU:
VPU vs. XLUVPU vs. FUTYVPU vs. VOOVPU vs. IDUVPU vs. SPYVPU vs. VUIAXVPU vs. SCHD

Return for Risk

URA vs. VPU — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
URA
URA Risk / Return Rank: 2626
Overall Rank
URA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2323
Sharpe Ratio Rank
URA Sortino Ratio Rank: 2727
Sortino Ratio Rank
URA Omega Ratio Rank: 2626
Omega Ratio Rank
URA Calmar Ratio Rank: 2929
Calmar Ratio Rank
URA Martin Ratio Rank: 2323
Martin Ratio Rank
VPU
VPU Risk / Return Rank: 2828
Overall Rank
VPU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2828
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VPU Sortino Ratio Rank: 2626
Sortino Ratio Rank
VPU Omega Ratio Rank: 2727
Omega Ratio Rank
VPU Calmar Ratio Rank: 3333
Calmar Ratio Rank
VPU Martin Ratio Rank: 2626
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

URA vs. VPU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X Uranium ETF (URA) 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.

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.

URAVPUDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.77
0.93

-0.16

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.36
1.32

+0.04

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.16

1.17

-0.01

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.26

1.50

-0.24

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

2.78

3.23

-0.45

URA vs. VPU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current URA Sharpe Ratio is 0.77, which is comparable to the VPU Sharpe Ratio of 0.93. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of URA 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.

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Drawdowns

URA vs. VPU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum URA drawdown since its inception was -93.54%, which is greater than VPU's maximum drawdown of -46.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for URA and VPU.

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Drawdown Indicators

URAVPUDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-93.54%

-46.31%

-47.23%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-31.48%

-8.90%

-22.58%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-37.81%

-17.34%

-20.47%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-37.90%

-25.15%

-12.75%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-61.45%

-36.42%

-25.03%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-45.46%

-5.14%

-40.32%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-74.93%

-7.78%

-67.15%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

14.19%

4.11%

+10.08%

Volatility

URA vs. VPU - Volatility Comparison

Global X Uranium ETF (URA) has a higher volatility of 18.71% compared to Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) at 5.55%. This indicates that URA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VPU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

URAVPUDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

18.71%

5.55%

+13.16%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

40.22%

11.50%

+28.72%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

51.62%

14.39%

+37.23%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

43.93%

17.08%

+26.85%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

37.95%

19.14%

+18.81%

URA vs. VPU - Expense Ratio Comparison

URA has a 0.69% expense ratio, which is higher than VPU's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

URA vs. VPU - Dividend Comparison

URA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.34%, more than VPU's 2.63% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
URA
Global X Uranium ETF		4.34%4.88%2.86%6.07%0.76%5.84%1.69%1.66%0.44%2.03%7.28%1.96%
VPU
Vanguard Utilities ETF		2.63%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

URA and VPU have a correlation of 0.20, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

URA has higher volatility (18.71%) compared to VPU (5.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, URA dropped -93.54% vs VPU's -46.31%.

On 10-year performance, URA leads with 16.50% vs 9.09% for VPU. On fees, VPU is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, VPU has been the lower-risk option at 5.55%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, URA has performed better with a 16.50% return vs 9.09%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

VPU is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for URA.

URA has the higher dividend yield at 4.34%, compared with 2.63% for VPU.

URA is categorized as Uranium, while VPU is Utilities Equities. URA tracks Solactive Global Uranium & Nuclear Components Total Return Index, while VPU tracks MSCI US Investable Market Utilities 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: Global X and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.69% for URA and 0.09% for VPU.

VPU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.93 vs 0.77), 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.

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