UTES vs. XLUI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

UTES (Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF) and XLUI (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF) are both Utilities Equities funds. Both are actively managed. Their correlation of 0.80 suggests significant overlap in exposure. UTES charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for XLUI.

Performance

UTES vs. XLUI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF (UTES) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLUI). 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 XLUI's 4.99% 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%

XLUI

• 1D: -0.18%
• 1M: -4.28%
• YTD: 4.99%
• 6M: 3.61%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

UTES vs. XLUI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
UTES Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF	0.08%	-2.40%
XLUI State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	4.99%	0.51%

Correlation

The correlation between UTES and XLUI is 0.80, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 31, 2025	0.80

UTES vs. XLUI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

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

Return for Risk

UTES vs. XLUI — 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

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. XLUI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF (UTES) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLUI). 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	XLUI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.37	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.64	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.08	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.57	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.30	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	UTES	XLUI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.37	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76	—	—
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	0.60	+0.10

Drawdowns

UTES vs. XLUI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum UTES drawdown since its inception was -35.39%, which is greater than XLUI's maximum drawdown of -6.01%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UTES and XLUI.

Drawdown Indicators

	UTES	XLUI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.39%	-6.01%	-29.38%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.88%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.62%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.40%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.39%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.26%	-4.60%	-4.66%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.52%	-1.92%	-3.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.08%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	UTES	XLUI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.40%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.95%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.27%	11.12%	+10.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.60%	11.12%	+9.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.16%	11.12%	+9.04%

UTES vs. XLUI - Expense Ratio Comparison

UTES has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than XLUI's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

UTES vs. XLUI - Dividend Comparison

UTES's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.50%, less than XLUI's 12.81% 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%
XLUI State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	12.81%	7.12%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both UTES and XLUI in my portfolio?

UTES and XLUI have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, UTES or XLUI?

On fees, XLUI is cheaper at 0.35% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, UTES or XLUI?

XLUI is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for UTES.

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

XLUI has the higher dividend yield at 12.81%, compared with 1.50% for UTES.

What is the main difference between UTES and XLUI?

They also come from different issuers: Virtus Investment Partners and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for UTES and 0.35% for XLUI.