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VPU vs. URA
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VPU vs. URA

Last updated Jun 16, 2026

VPU (Vanguard Utilities ETF) and URA (Global X Uranium ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VPU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Utilities 25/50 Index, while URA is a Uranium fund tracking the Solactive Global Uranium & Nuclear Components Total Return Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VPU returned 9.09%/yr vs 16.50%/yr for URA. At a 0.24 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VPU charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for URA.

Performance

VPU vs. URA - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VPU achieves a 5.53% return, which is significantly lower than URA's 12.47% return. Over the past 10 years, VPU has underperformed URA with an annualized return of 9.09%, while URA has yielded a comparatively higher 16.50% annualized return.

VPU

1D
0.58%
1M
2.00%
YTD
5.53%
6M
4.90%
1Y
13.27%
3Y*
13.34%
5Y*
9.53%
10Y*
9.09%

URA

1D
5.58%
1M
-3.75%
YTD
12.47%
6M
12.83%
1Y
39.37%
3Y*
34.52%
5Y*
21.19%
10Y*
16.50%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VPU vs. URA - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VPU
Vanguard Utilities ETF		5.53%16.46%23.04%-7.45%1.06%17.40%-0.74%24.89%4.38%12.44%
URA
Global X Uranium ETF		12.47%67.18%-0.58%46.25%-11.32%57.57%41.33%-3.54%-22.11%19.36%

Correlation

The correlation between VPU and URA 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

0.21

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.23

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.20

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 5, 2010

0.24

VPU vs. URA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
VPU
URA

Utilities

99.3%
7.4%

Energy

0.5%
64.2%

Industrials

0.2%
22.7%

Basic Materials

-

4.8%

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Financial Services

-

-

Healthcare

-

-

Real Estate

-

-

Technology

-

0.9%

Utilities

VPU
99.3%
URA
7.4%

Energy

VPU
0.5%
URA
64.2%

Industrials

VPU
0.2%
URA
22.7%

Basic Materials

VPU

-

URA
4.8%

Communication Services

VPU

-

URA

-

Consumer Cyclical

VPU

-

URA

-

Consumer Defensive

VPU

-

URA

-

Financial Services

VPU

-

URA

-

Healthcare

VPU

-

URA

-

Real Estate

VPU

-

URA

-

Technology

VPU

-

URA
0.9%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Vanguard Utilities ETF

Global X Uranium ETF

Often compared with VPU:
VPU vs. XLUVPU vs. FUTYVPU vs. VOOVPU vs. IDUVPU vs. SPYVPU vs. VUIAXVPU vs. SCHD
Often compared with URA:
URA vs. NLRURA vs. URNMURA vs. NUKZURA vs. CCJURA vs. UUUUURA vs. URANURA vs. SPY

Return for Risk

VPU vs. URA — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VPU
VPU Risk / Return Rank: 2828
Overall Rank
VPU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2828
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VPU Sortino Ratio Rank: 2626
Sortino Ratio Rank
VPU Omega Ratio Rank: 2727
Omega Ratio Rank
VPU Calmar Ratio Rank: 3333
Calmar Ratio Rank
VPU Martin Ratio Rank: 2626
Martin Ratio Rank
URA
URA Risk / Return Rank: 2626
Overall Rank
URA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2323
Sharpe Ratio Rank
URA Sortino Ratio Rank: 2727
Sortino Ratio Rank
URA Omega Ratio Rank: 2626
Omega Ratio Rank
URA Calmar Ratio Rank: 2929
Calmar Ratio Rank
URA Martin Ratio Rank: 2323
Martin Ratio Rank
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. URA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) and Global X Uranium ETF (URA). 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.

VPUURADifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.93
0.77

+0.16

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.32
1.36

-0.04

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.17

1.16

+0.01

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.50

1.26

+0.24

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

3.23

2.78

+0.45

VPU vs. URA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VPU Sharpe Ratio is 0.93, which is comparable to the URA Sharpe Ratio of 0.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VPU and URA, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

VPU vs. URA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VPU drawdown since its inception was -46.31%, smaller than the maximum URA drawdown of -93.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VPU and URA.

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Drawdown Indicators

VPUURADifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-46.31%

-93.54%

+47.23%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-8.90%

-31.48%

+22.58%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-17.34%

-37.81%

+20.47%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-25.15%

-37.90%

+12.75%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-36.42%

-61.45%

+25.03%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-5.14%

-45.46%

+40.32%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-7.78%

-74.93%

+67.15%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

4.11%

14.19%

-10.08%

Volatility

VPU vs. URA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) is 5.55%, while Global X Uranium ETF (URA) has a volatility of 18.71%. This indicates that VPU experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than URA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

VPUURADifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.55%

18.71%

-13.16%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

11.50%

40.22%

-28.72%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

14.39%

51.62%

-37.23%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

17.08%

43.93%

-26.85%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

19.14%

37.95%

-18.81%

VPU vs. URA - Expense Ratio Comparison

VPU has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than URA's 0.69% expense ratio.

Dividends

VPU vs. URA - Dividend Comparison

VPU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.63%, less than URA's 4.34% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
URA
Global X Uranium ETF		4.34%4.88%2.86%6.07%0.76%5.84%1.69%1.66%0.44%2.03%7.28%1.96%
VPU
Vanguard Utilities ETF		2.63%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

VPU and URA 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.

URA has higher volatility (18.71%) compared to VPU (5.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VPU dropped -46.31% vs URA's -93.54%.

On 10-year performance, URA leads with 16.50% vs 9.09% 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.

Over the 10-year period, URA has performed better with a 16.50% return vs 9.09%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

VPU is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for URA.

URA has the higher dividend yield at 4.34%, compared with 2.63% for VPU.

VPU is categorized as Utilities Equities, while URA is Uranium. VPU tracks MSCI US Investable Market Utilities 25/50 Index, while URA tracks Solactive Global Uranium & Nuclear Components Total Return Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Global X. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for VPU and 0.69% for URA.

VPU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.93 vs 0.77), 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.

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