UTES vs. VPC

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

UTES (Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF) and VPC (Virtus Private Credit ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - UTES is a Utilities Equities fund actively managed by Virtus Investment Partners, while VPC is a Nontraditional Bonds fund tracking the Indxx Private Credit Index. UTES is actively managed, while VPC is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, UTES returned 15.66%/yr vs 1.17%/yr for VPC. At a 0.31 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. UTES charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for VPC.

Performance

UTES vs. VPC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF (UTES) and Virtus Private Credit ETF (VPC). 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 higher than VPC's -9.26% 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%

VPC

• 1D: -1.89%
• 1M: -5.24%
• YTD: -9.26%
• 6M: -10.18%
• 1Y: -12.88%
• 3Y*: 2.85%
• 5Y*: 1.17%
• 10Y*: —

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

UTES vs. VPC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
UTES Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF	0.08%	25.71%	45.35%	-2.46%	0.80%	20.74%	-0.30%	19.03%
VPC Virtus Private Credit ETF	-9.26%	-6.75%	10.52%	22.20%	-11.70%	34.18%	-9.50%	9.32%

Correlation

The correlation between UTES and VPC is 0.05, 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	0.05
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.26
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.32
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 11, 2019	0.31

Over the past year, the correlation between UTES and VPC has dropped to 0.05 - well below their long-term average of 0.31, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

UTES vs. VPC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	UTES	VPC
Utilities	100.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	0.1%
Consumer Cyclical	-	0.1%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	0.0%
Financial Services	-	98.3%
Healthcare	-	0.0%
Industrials	-	0.1%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	1.3%

Return for Risk

UTES vs. VPC — 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

VPC

VPC Risk / Return Rank: 3
VPC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
VPC Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
VPC Omega Ratio Rank: 2
VPC Calmar Ratio Rank: 4
VPC Martin Ratio Rank: 3

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. VPC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF (UTES) and Virtus Private Credit ETF (VPC). 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	VPC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.37	-0.98	+1.35
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.64	-1.33	+1.97
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.08	0.85	+0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.57	-0.57	+1.14
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.30	-1.13	+2.42
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. VPC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current UTES Sharpe Ratio is 0.37, which is higher than the VPC Sharpe Ratio of -0.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of UTES and VPC, 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	VPC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.37	-0.98	+1.35
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76	0.09	+0.68
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.62	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.70	0.20	+0.50

Drawdowns

UTES vs. VPC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum UTES drawdown since its inception was -35.39%, smaller than the maximum VPC drawdown of -53.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UTES and VPC.

Drawdown Indicators

	UTES	VPC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.39%	-53.45%	+18.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.88%	-22.76%	+8.88%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.62%	-24.86%	+7.24%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.40%	-24.86%	+4.46%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.39%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.26%	-19.63%	+10.37%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.52%	-7.67%	+2.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.08%	11.45%	-5.37%

Volatility

UTES vs. VPC - Volatility Comparison

Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF (UTES) has a higher volatility of 7.40% compared to Virtus Private Credit ETF (VPC) at 3.27%. This indicates that UTES's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VPC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	UTES	VPC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.40%	3.27%	+4.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.95%	10.85%	+6.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.27%	13.17%	+8.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.60%	13.50%	+7.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.16%	20.56%	-0.40%

UTES vs. VPC - Expense Ratio Comparison

UTES has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is lower than VPC's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

UTES vs. VPC - Dividend Comparison

UTES's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.50%, less than VPC's 17.30% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
VPC Virtus Private Credit ETF	17.30%	14.33%	11.26%	11.71%	10.74%	6.31%	10.06%	8.19%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both UTES and VPC in my portfolio?

UTES and VPC have a correlation of 0.05, 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 VPC?

UTES has higher volatility (7.40%) compared to VPC (3.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UTES dropped -35.39% vs VPC's -53.45%.

Which ETF is better, UTES or VPC?

On 5-year performance, UTES leads with 15.66% vs 1.17% for VPC. On fees, UTES is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, VPC has been the lower-risk option at 3.27%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, UTES or VPC?

Over the 5-year period, UTES has performed better with a 15.66% return vs 1.17%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, UTES or VPC?

UTES is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for VPC.

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

VPC has the higher dividend yield at 17.30%, compared with 1.50% for UTES.

What is the main difference between UTES and VPC?

UTES is categorized as Utilities Equities, while VPC is Nontraditional Bonds. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for UTES and 0.75% for VPC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

UTES currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.37 vs -0.98), 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.