UTES vs. POWR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

UTES (Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF) and POWR (iShares U.S. Power Infrastructure ETF) are both Utilities Equities funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 10 years, UTES returned 12.40%/yr vs 8.66%/yr for POWR. At a 0.23 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. UTES charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for POWR.

Performance

UTES vs. POWR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF (UTES) and iShares U.S. Power Infrastructure ETF (POWR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, UTES achieves a 0.08% return, which is significantly lower than POWR's 18.53% return. Over the past 10 years, UTES has outperformed POWR with an annualized return of 12.40%, while POWR has yielded a comparatively lower 8.66% annualized return.

UTES

• 1D: -0.98%
• 1M: -6.58%
• YTD: 0.08%
• 6M: -1.81%
• 1Y: 7.86%
• 3Y*: 22.78%
• 5Y*: 15.66%
• 10Y*: 12.40%

POWR

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: -0.93%
• YTD: 18.53%
• 6M: 15.28%
• 1Y: 28.87%
• 3Y*: 12.09%
• 5Y*: 15.16%
• 10Y*: 8.66%

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

UTES vs. POWR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
UTES Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF	0.08%	25.71%	45.35%	-2.46%	0.80%	20.74%	-0.30%	25.48%	5.14%	14.21%
POWR iShares U.S. Power Infrastructure ETF	18.53%	10.81%	-1.30%	3.66%	42.54%	42.03%	-28.30%	8.44%	-11.74%	9.69%

Correlation

The correlation between UTES and POWR is 0.48, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.48
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.39
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.24
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 25, 2015	0.23

Over the past year, UTES and POWR have become more correlated (0.48) than their long-term average of 0.23, meaning their price movements have been converging.

UTES vs. POWR - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	UTES	POWR
Utilities	100.0%	52.8%
Basic Materials	-	1.0%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	17.3%
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	26.6%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	2.9%

Return for Risk

UTES vs. POWR — Risk / Return Rank

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

UTES

UTES Risk / Return Rank: 14
UTES Sharpe Ratio Rank: 14
UTES Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
UTES Omega Ratio Rank: 14
UTES Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
UTES Martin Ratio Rank: 15

POWR

POWR Risk / Return Rank: 59
POWR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
POWR Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
POWR Omega Ratio Rank: 47
POWR Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
POWR Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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. POWR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF (UTES) and iShares U.S. Power Infrastructure ETF (POWR). 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.

	UTES	POWR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.37	1.74	-1.37
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.64	2.41	-1.77
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.08	1.30	-0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.57	4.85	-4.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.30	12.19	-10.89
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

UTES vs. POWR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current UTES Sharpe Ratio is 0.37, which is lower than the POWR Sharpe Ratio of 1.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of UTES and POWR, 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

	UTES	POWR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.37	1.74	-1.37
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76	0.66	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.62	0.34	+0.28
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.70	0.19	+0.51

Drawdowns

UTES vs. POWR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum UTES drawdown since its inception was -35.39%, smaller than the maximum POWR drawdown of -65.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UTES and POWR.

Drawdown Indicators

	UTES	POWR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.39%	-65.98%	+30.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.88%	-5.98%	-7.90%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.62%	-23.14%	+5.52%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.40%	-25.09%	+4.69%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.39%	-63.42%	+28.03%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.26%	-1.45%	-7.81%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.52%	-18.15%	+12.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.08%	2.38%	+3.70%

Volatility

UTES vs. POWR - Volatility Comparison

Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF (UTES) has a higher volatility of 7.40% compared to iShares U.S. Power Infrastructure ETF (POWR) at 5.80%. This indicates that UTES's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than POWR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	UTES	POWR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.40%	5.80%	+1.60%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.95%	12.35%	+4.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.27%	16.65%	+4.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.60%	23.08%	-2.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.16%	25.62%	-5.46%

UTES vs. POWR - Expense Ratio Comparison

UTES has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than POWR's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

UTES vs. POWR - Dividend Comparison

UTES's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.50%, less than POWR's 6.67% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
POWR iShares U.S. Power Infrastructure ETF	6.67%	7.56%	4.36%	4.16%	4.82%	3.94%	3.96%	5.71%	3.17%	3.11%	2.75%	3.42%
UTES Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF	1.50%	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 POWR in my portfolio?

UTES and POWR have a correlation of 0.48, 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 POWR?

UTES has higher volatility (7.40%) compared to POWR (5.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UTES dropped -35.39% vs POWR's -65.98%.

Which ETF is better, UTES or POWR?

On 10-year performance, UTES leads with 12.40% vs 8.66% for POWR. On fees, POWR is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, POWR has been the lower-risk option at 5.80%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, UTES or POWR?

Over the 10-year period, UTES has performed better with a 12.40% return vs 8.66%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, UTES or POWR?

POWR is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for UTES.

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

POWR has the higher dividend yield at 6.67%, compared with 1.50% for UTES.

What is the main difference between UTES and POWR?

They also come from different issuers: Virtus Investment Partners and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for UTES and 0.40% for POWR.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

POWR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.74 vs 0.37), 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.