VPU vs. JXI
Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) and iShares Global Utilities ETF (JXI).
VPU and JXI are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. 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. JXI is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the S&P Global Utilities Index. It was launched on Sep 21, 2006. Both VPU and JXI 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
VPU vs. JXI - Performance Comparison
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VPU vs. JXI - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VPU Vanguard Utilities ETF | 8.24% | 16.46% | 23.04% | -7.45% | 1.06% | 17.40% | -0.74% | 24.89% | 4.38% | 12.44% |
JXI iShares Global Utilities ETF | 10.76% | 25.91% | 13.14% | 0.63% | -4.17% | 10.88% | 5.19% | 23.94% | 2.31% | 14.79% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VPU achieves a 8.24% return, which is significantly lower than JXI's 10.76% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VPU having a 9.67% annualized return and JXI not far behind at 9.66%.
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%
JXI
- 1D
- 0.89%
- 1M
- -1.70%
- YTD
- 10.76%
- 6M
- 12.58%
- 1Y
- 28.98%
- 3Y*
- 16.49%
- 5Y*
- 10.83%
- 10Y*
- 9.66%
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VPU vs. JXI - Expense Ratio Comparison
VPU has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than JXI's 0.46% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
VPU vs. JXI — Risk / Return Rank
VPU
JXI
VPU vs. JXI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) and iShares Global Utilities ETF (JXI). 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.
| VPU | JXI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.25 | 2.04 | -0.79 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.71 | 2.60 | -0.89 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.23 | 1.38 | -0.15 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.22 | 3.61 | -1.39 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.27 | 14.00 | -8.73 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| VPU | JXI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.25 | 2.04 | -0.79 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.63 | 0.71 | -0.09 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.51 | 0.57 | -0.06 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.55 | 0.34 | +0.21 |
Correlation
The correlation between VPU and JXI is 0.85, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Dividends
VPU vs. JXI - Dividend Comparison
VPU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.56%, more than JXI's 2.31% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
JXI iShares Global Utilities ETF | 2.31% | 2.56% | 3.02% | 3.58% | 3.13% | 2.78% | 2.65% | 3.43% | 3.16% | 3.62% | 4.77% | 3.78% |
Drawdowns
VPU vs. JXI - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VPU drawdown since its inception was -46.31%, smaller than the maximum JXI drawdown of -50.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VPU and JXI.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VPU | JXI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -46.31% | -50.23% | +3.92% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.90% | -8.17% | -0.73% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.15% | -22.45% | -2.70% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -36.42% | -34.20% | -2.22% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.71% | -2.47% | -0.24% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.82% | -12.90% | +5.08% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.74% | 2.11% | +1.63% |
Volatility
VPU vs. JXI - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) and iShares Global Utilities ETF (JXI) have volatilities of 4.99% and 5.23%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VPU | JXI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.99% | 5.23% | -0.24% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.18% | 8.93% | +1.25% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.51% | 14.26% | +1.25% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.91% | 15.23% | +1.68% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.07% | 16.94% | +2.13% |