VPU vs. SPEM

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

VPU (Vanguard Utilities ETF) and SPEM (SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VPU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Utilities 25/50 Index, while SPEM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the S&P Emerging Markets BMI. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VPU returned 9.06%/yr vs 9.63%/yr for SPEM. At a 0.39 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VPU charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.11%/yr for SPEM.

Performance

VPU vs. SPEM - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VPU achieves a 4.93% return, which is significantly lower than SPEM's 11.32% return. Over the past 10 years, VPU has underperformed SPEM with an annualized return of 9.06%, while SPEM has yielded a comparatively higher 9.63% annualized return.

VPU

• 1D: 1.15%
• 1M: -0.86%
• YTD: 4.93%
• 6M: 5.15%
• 1Y: 12.62%
• 3Y*: 13.65%
• 5Y*: 9.17%
• 10Y*: 9.06%

SPEM

• 1D: 0.87%
• 1M: -0.13%
• YTD: 11.32%
• 6M: 13.11%
• 1Y: 27.73%
• 3Y*: 17.37%
• 5Y*: 5.60%
• 10Y*: 9.63%

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

VPU vs. SPEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VPU Vanguard Utilities ETF	4.93%	16.46%	23.04%	-7.45%	1.06%	17.40%	-0.74%	24.89%	4.38%	12.44%
SPEM SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF	11.32%	25.63%	11.40%	10.51%	-17.90%	1.51%	14.55%	19.69%	-13.26%	34.82%

Correlation

The correlation between VPU and SPEM is 0.20, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.20
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.26
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.24
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.22
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 23, 2007	0.39

The correlation between VPU and SPEM shifts across timeframes, from 0.20 (1 year) to 0.39 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VPU vs. SPEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VPU	SPEM
Utilities	99.3%	2.8%
Energy	0.5%	4.2%
Industrials	0.2%	8.3%
Basic Materials	-	8.0%
Communication Services	-	6.7%
Consumer Cyclical	-	9.6%
Consumer Defensive	-	3.6%
Financial Services	-	19.2%
Healthcare	-	3.7%
Real Estate	-	1.8%
Technology	-	32.1%

Return for Risk

VPU vs. SPEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

VPU

VPU Risk / Return Rank: 26
VPU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
VPU Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
VPU Omega Ratio Rank: 25
VPU Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
VPU Martin Ratio Rank: 24

SPEM

SPEM Risk / Return Rank: 52
SPEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
SPEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
SPEM Omega Ratio Rank: 53
SPEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
SPEM Martin Ratio Rank: 54

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.

VPU vs. SPEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) and SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	VPU	SPEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.83	1.55	-0.72
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.20	2.16	-0.96
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.29	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.34	2.28	-0.94
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.91	8.16	-5.25

VPU vs. SPEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VPU Sharpe Ratio is 0.83, which is lower than the SPEM Sharpe Ratio of 1.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VPU and SPEM, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VPU vs. SPEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VPU drawdown since its inception was -46.31%, smaller than the maximum SPEM drawdown of -64.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VPU and SPEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	VPU	SPEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.31%	-64.41%	+18.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.90%	-11.36%	+2.46%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.34%	-17.62%	+0.28%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.15%	-31.75%	+6.60%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.42%	-36.06%	-0.36%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.69%	-2.40%	-3.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.78%	-14.73%	+6.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.10%	3.17%	+0.93%

Volatility

VPU vs. SPEM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) is 5.55%, while SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM) has a volatility of 6.87%. This indicates that VPU experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VPU	SPEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.55%	6.87%	-1.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.52%	14.21%	-2.69%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.41%	16.67%	-2.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.07%	17.26%	-0.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.13%	18.83%	+0.30%

VPU vs. SPEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

VPU has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than SPEM's 0.11% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VPU vs. SPEM - Dividend Comparison

VPU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.64%, more than SPEM's 2.49% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPEM SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF	2.49%	2.77%	2.78%	2.80%	3.38%	3.14%	1.92%	2.94%	2.34%	1.12%	1.51%	2.40%
VPU Vanguard Utilities ETF	2.64%	2.73%	3.02%	3.49%	2.98%	2.70%	3.17%	2.83%	3.23%	3.18%	3.19%	3.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VPU and SPEM in my portfolio?

VPU and SPEM have a correlation of 0.20, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VPU or SPEM?

SPEM has higher volatility (6.87%) compared to VPU (5.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VPU dropped -46.31% vs SPEM's -64.41%.

Which ETF is better, VPU or SPEM?

On 10-year performance, SPEM leads with 9.63% vs 9.06% for VPU. On fees, VPU is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, VPU has been the lower-risk option at 5.55%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VPU or SPEM?

Over the 10-year period, SPEM has performed better with a 9.63% return vs 9.06%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VPU or SPEM?

VPU is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.11% for SPEM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VPU or SPEM?

VPU has the higher dividend yield at 2.64%, compared with 2.49% for SPEM.

What is the main difference between VPU and SPEM?

VPU is categorized as Utilities Equities, while SPEM is Emerging Markets Equities. VPU tracks MSCI US Investable Market Utilities 25/50 Index, while SPEM tracks S&P Emerging Markets BMI. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for VPU and 0.11% for SPEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.55 vs 0.83), 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.