VOX vs. VPU

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Communication Services ETF (VOX) and Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU).

VOX and VPU are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. VOX is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the MSCI US Investable Market Telecommunication Services 25/50 Index. It was launched on Sep 23, 2004. VPU is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the MSCI US Investable Market Utilities 25/50 Index. It was launched on Jan 26, 2004. Both VOX and VPU are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

VOX vs. VPU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Communication Services ETF (VOX) and Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

VOX vs. VPU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VOX Vanguard Communication Services ETF	-6.08%	26.27%	33.12%	44.81%	-38.85%	13.83%	29.12%	28.03%	-16.75%	-5.50%
VPU Vanguard Utilities ETF	8.24%	16.46%	23.04%	-7.45%	1.06%	17.40%	-0.74%	24.89%	4.38%	12.44%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VOX achieves a -6.08% return, which is significantly lower than VPU's 8.24% return. Over the past 10 years, VOX has underperformed VPU with an annualized return of 8.51%, while VPU has yielded a comparatively higher 9.67% annualized return.

VOX

• 1D: 0.88%
• 1M: -5.24%
• YTD: -6.08%
• 6M: -1.73%
• 1Y: 22.72%
• 3Y*: 24.69%
• 5Y*: 7.59%
• 10Y*: 8.51%

VPU

• 1D: 0.42%
• 1M: -2.05%
• YTD: 8.24%
• 6M: 5.69%
• 1Y: 19.37%
• 3Y*: 13.96%
• 5Y*: 10.58%
• 10Y*: 9.67%

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

VOX vs. VPU - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both VOX and VPU have an expense ratio of 0.10%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

VOX

Vanguard Communication Services ETF

VPU

Vanguard Utilities ETF

Return for Risk

VOX vs. VPU — Risk / Return Rank

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

VOX

VOX Risk / Return Rank: 64
VOX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
VOX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
VOX Omega Ratio Rank: 63
VOX Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
VOX Martin Ratio Rank: 62

VPU

VPU Risk / Return Rank: 65
VPU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
VPU Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
VPU Omega Ratio Rank: 60
VPU Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
VPU Martin Ratio Rank: 52

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.

VOX vs. VPU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Communication Services ETF (VOX) and Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU). 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.

	VOX	VPU	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.12	1.25	-0.13
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.73	1.71	+0.03
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.23	+0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.74	2.22	-0.48
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.39	5.27	+1.11
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VOX vs. VPU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VOX Sharpe Ratio is 1.12, which is comparable to the VPU Sharpe Ratio of 1.25. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VOX and VPU, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VOX	VPU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.12	1.25	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.36	0.63	-0.27
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.41	0.51	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	0.55	-0.13

Correlation

The correlation between VOX and VPU is 0.44, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

VOX vs. VPU - Dividend Comparison

VOX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.05%, less than VPU's 2.56% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VOX Vanguard Communication Services ETF	1.05%	0.95%	1.05%	1.03%	0.88%	0.93%	0.73%	0.90%	2.77%	3.83%	2.67%	3.55%
VPU Vanguard Utilities ETF	2.56%	2.73%	3.02%	3.49%	2.98%	2.70%	3.17%	2.83%	3.23%	3.18%	3.19%	3.63%

Drawdowns

VOX vs. VPU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VOX drawdown since its inception was -57.18%, which is greater than VPU's maximum drawdown of -46.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VOX and VPU.

Drawdown Indicators

	VOX	VPU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-57.18%	-46.31%	-10.87%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.56%	-8.90%	-4.66%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-46.76%	-25.15%	-21.61%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.76%	-36.42%	-10.34%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.23%	-2.71%	-6.52%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.98%	-7.82%	-4.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.68%	3.74%	-0.06%

Volatility

VOX vs. VPU - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Communication Services ETF (VOX) has a higher volatility of 6.50% compared to Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) at 4.99%. This indicates that VOX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VPU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VOX	VPU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.50%	4.99%	+1.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.83%	10.18%	+1.65%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.35%	15.51%	+4.84%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.18%	16.91%	+4.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.87%	19.07%	+1.80%