VPU vs. XLUI

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLUI).

VPU and XLUI 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. XLUI is an actively managed fund by State Street. It was launched on Jul 29, 2025.

Performance

VPU vs. XLUI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLUI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

VPU vs. XLUI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VPU Vanguard Utilities ETF	8.24%	1.92%
XLUI State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	7.58%	0.51%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VPU achieves a 8.24% return, which is significantly higher than XLUI's 7.58% return.

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%

XLUI

• 1D: 0.59%
• 1M: -0.14%
• YTD: 7.58%
• 6M: 4.96%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VPU vs. XLUI - Expense Ratio Comparison

VPU has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than XLUI's 0.35% expense ratio.

XLUI

State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF

VPU

Vanguard Utilities ETF

Return for Risk

VPU vs. XLUI — Risk / Return Rank

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

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.

VPU vs. XLUI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	VPU	XLUI	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.25	—	—
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.71	—	—
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	—	—
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.22	—	—
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.27	—	—
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

	VPU	XLUI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.25	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.51	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.55	1.19	-0.64

Correlation

The correlation between VPU and XLUI is 0.94, 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. XLUI - Dividend Comparison

VPU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.56%, less than XLUI's 10.02% 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%
XLUI State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	10.02%	7.12%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

VPU vs. XLUI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VPU drawdown since its inception was -46.31%, which is greater than XLUI's maximum drawdown of -6.01%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VPU and XLUI.

Drawdown Indicators

	VPU	XLUI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.31%	-6.01%	-40.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.90%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.15%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.42%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.71%	-0.72%	-1.99%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.82%	-1.87%	-5.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.74%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	VPU	XLUI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.99%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.18%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.51%	10.42%	+5.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.91%	10.42%	+6.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.07%	10.42%	+8.65%