UTES vs. NFLT
UTES (Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF) and NFLT (Virtus Newfleet Multi-Sector Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - UTES is a Utilities Equities fund actively managed by Virtus, while NFLT is a Multisector Bonds fund actively managed by Virtus. Both are actively managed. Over the past 10 years, UTES returned 12.14%/yr vs 3.82%/yr for NFLT. Their 0.19 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. UTES charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for NFLT.
Performance
UTES vs. NFLT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, UTES achieves a 0.36% return, which is significantly lower than NFLT's 1.65% return. Over the past 10 years, UTES has outperformed NFLT with an annualized return of 12.14%, while NFLT has yielded a comparatively lower 3.82% annualized return.
UTES
- 1D
- 1.44%
- 1M
- -2.90%
- 6M
- 3.82%
- YTD
- 0.36%
- 1Y
- -2.59%
- 3Y*
- 22.82%
- 5Y*
- 14.89%
- 10Y*
- 12.14%
- ALL TIME*
- 13.64%
NFLT
- 1D
- 0.17%
- 1M
- -0.41%
- 6M
- 1.08%
- YTD
- 1.65%
- 1Y
- 5.10%
- 3Y*
- 7.12%
- 5Y*
- 2.97%
- 10Y*
- 3.82%
- ALL TIME*
- 4.03%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $2.33M | $1.91M | $2.12M | |
| $11.31M | $10.12M | $13.80M |
UTES vs. NFLT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
UTES Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF | 0.36% | 25.71% | 45.35% | -2.46% | 0.80% | 20.74% | -0.30% | 25.48% | 5.14% | 14.21% |
NFLT Virtus Newfleet Multi-Sector Bond ETF | 1.65% | 8.77% | 6.05% | 9.16% | -9.49% | 1.18% | 8.02% | 10.13% | -2.68% | 6.30% |
Correlation
The correlation between UTES and NFLT is 0.25, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.25 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.21 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.24 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.20 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 24, 2015 | 0.19 |
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Return for Risk
UTES vs. NFLT — Risk / Return Rank
UTES
NFLT
UTES vs. NFLT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF (UTES) and Virtus Newfleet Multi-Sector Bond ETF (NFLT). 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 | NFLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.39 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.88 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.00 | 1.23 | -0.23 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.19 | 2.12 | -2.31 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.39 | 8.64 | -9.02 |
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Drawdowns
UTES vs. NFLT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum UTES drawdown since its inception was -35.39%, which is greater than NFLT's maximum drawdown of -15.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UTES and NFLT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| UTES | NFLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -35.39% | -15.17% | -20.22% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.88% | -2.42% | -11.46% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -17.62% | -3.15% | -14.47% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -20.40% | -13.42% | -6.98% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.39% | -15.17% | -20.22% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -9.00% | -0.75% | -8.25% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.54% | -2.08% | -3.46% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 6.74% | 0.59% | +6.15% |
Volatility
UTES vs. NFLT - Volatility Comparison
Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF (UTES) has a higher volatility of 5.50% compared to Virtus Newfleet Multi-Sector Bond ETF (NFLT) at 0.97%. This indicates that UTES's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NFLT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| UTES | NFLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.50% | 0.97% | +4.53% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 16.23% | 3.20% | +13.03% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 21.46% | 4.06% | +17.40% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.75% | 4.49% | +16.26% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.27% | 4.92% | +15.35% |
UTES vs. NFLT - Expense Ratio Comparison
UTES has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is lower than NFLT's 0.50% expense ratio.
Dividends
UTES vs. NFLT - Dividend Comparison
UTES's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.51%, less than NFLT's 5.47% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NFLT Virtus Newfleet Multi-Sector Bond ETF | 5.47% | 5.74% | 5.76% | 6.02% | 4.16% | 3.41% | 3.63% | 4.33% | 4.81% | 6.23% | 5.30% | 0.67% |
UTES Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF | 1.51% | 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
UTES and NFLT have a correlation of 0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
UTES has higher volatility (5.50%) compared to NFLT (0.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UTES dropped -35.39% vs NFLT's -15.17%.
On 10-year performance, UTES leads with 12.14% vs 3.82% for NFLT. On fees, UTES is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, NFLT has been the lower-risk option at 0.97%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, UTES has performed better with a 12.14% return vs 3.82%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
UTES is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for NFLT.
NFLT has the higher dividend yield at 5.47%, compared with 1.51% for UTES.
UTES is categorized as Utilities Equities, while NFLT is Multisector Bonds. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for UTES and 0.50% for NFLT.
NFLT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.26 vs -0.12), 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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