UTES vs. ICSH

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

UTES (Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF) and ICSH (iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - UTES is a Utilities Equities fund actively managed by Virtus Investment Partners, while ICSH is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by iShares. Both are actively managed. Over the past 10 years, UTES returned 12.27%/yr vs 2.78%/yr for ICSH. At a 0.08 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. UTES charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for ICSH.

Performance

UTES vs. ICSH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF (UTES) and iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF (ICSH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, UTES achieves a 0.26% return, which is significantly lower than ICSH's 1.53% return. Over the past 10 years, UTES has outperformed ICSH with an annualized return of 12.27%, while ICSH has yielded a comparatively lower 2.78% annualized return.

UTES

• 1D: 1.56%
• 1M: -0.82%
• YTD: 0.26%
• 6M: 0.49%
• 1Y: 8.95%
• 3Y*: 22.00%
• 5Y*: 15.32%
• 10Y*: 12.27%

ICSH

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.32%
• YTD: 1.53%
• 6M: 1.81%
• 1Y: 4.32%
• 3Y*: 5.16%
• 5Y*: 3.69%
• 10Y*: 2.78%

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

UTES vs. ICSH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
UTES Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF	0.26%	25.71%	45.35%	-2.46%	0.80%	20.74%	-0.30%	25.48%	5.14%	14.21%
ICSH iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF	1.53%	4.96%	5.52%	5.58%	0.97%	0.16%	1.61%	3.17%	2.25%	1.63%

Correlation

The correlation between UTES and ICSH is 0.09, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.09
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.08
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.12
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.08
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 24, 2015	0.08

UTES vs. ICSH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	UTES	ICSH
Utilities	100.0%	100.0%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-

Return for Risk

UTES vs. ICSH — Risk / Return Rank

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

UTES

UTES Risk / Return Rank: 16
UTES Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
UTES Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
UTES Omega Ratio Rank: 15
UTES Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
UTES Martin Ratio Rank: 17

ICSH

ICSH Risk / Return Rank: 99
ICSH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
ICSH Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
ICSH Omega Ratio Rank: 99
ICSH Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
ICSH Martin Ratio Rank: 99

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.

UTES vs. ICSH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF (UTES) and iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF (ICSH). 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.

	UTES	ICSH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.39	10.98	-10.59
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.67	27.49	-26.82
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.08	6.59	-5.50
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.60	43.88	-43.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.32	290.20	-288.88

UTES vs. ICSH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current UTES Sharpe Ratio is 0.39, which is lower than the ICSH Sharpe Ratio of 10.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of UTES and ICSH, 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

UTES vs. ICSH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum UTES drawdown since its inception was -35.39%, which is greater than ICSH's maximum drawdown of -3.94%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UTES and ICSH.

Drawdown Indicators

	UTES	ICSH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.39%	-3.94%	-31.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.88%	-0.10%	-13.78%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.62%	-0.10%	-17.52%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.40%	-0.73%	-19.67%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.39%	-3.94%	-31.45%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.10%	0.00%	-9.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.53%	-0.08%	-5.45%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.29%	0.01%	+6.28%

Volatility

UTES vs. ICSH - Volatility Comparison

Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF (UTES) has a higher volatility of 7.23% compared to iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF (ICSH) at 0.13%. This indicates that UTES's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ICSH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	UTES	ICSH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.23%	0.13%	+7.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.05%	0.29%	+16.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.32%	0.39%	+20.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.62%	0.48%	+20.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.17%	1.06%	+19.11%

UTES vs. ICSH - Expense Ratio Comparison

UTES has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than ICSH's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

UTES vs. ICSH - Dividend Comparison

UTES's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.49%, less than ICSH's 4.34% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ICSH iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF	4.34%	4.55%	5.24%	4.78%	1.66%	0.42%	1.21%	2.61%	2.20%	1.36%	0.88%	0.54%
UTES Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF	1.49%	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 UTES and ICSH in my portfolio?

UTES and ICSH have a correlation of 0.09, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, UTES or ICSH?

UTES has higher volatility (7.23%) compared to ICSH (0.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UTES dropped -35.39% vs ICSH's -3.94%.

Which ETF is better, UTES or ICSH?

On 10-year performance, UTES leads with 12.27% vs 2.78% for ICSH. On fees, ICSH is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, ICSH has been the lower-risk option at 0.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, UTES or ICSH?

Over the 10-year period, UTES has performed better with a 12.27% return vs 2.78%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, UTES or ICSH?

ICSH is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for UTES.

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

ICSH has the higher dividend yield at 4.34%, compared with 1.49% for UTES.

What is the main difference between UTES and ICSH?

UTES is categorized as Utilities Equities, while ICSH is Ultrashort Bond. They also come from different issuers: Virtus Investment Partners and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for UTES and 0.08% for ICSH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ICSH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (10.98 vs 0.39), 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.