VSHY vs. UTES
VSHY (Virtus Newfleet Short Duration High Yield Bond ETF) and UTES (Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VSHY is a High Yield Bonds fund actively managed by Virtus, while UTES is a Utilities Equities fund actively managed by Virtus. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, VSHY returned 6.04% vs -2.59% for UTES. Their 0.36 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. VSHY charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for UTES.
Performance
VSHY vs. UTES - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VSHY achieves a 2.97% return, which is significantly higher than UTES's 0.36% return.
VSHY
- 1D
- 0.37%
- 1M
- 0.40%
- 6M
- 2.23%
- YTD
- 2.97%
- 1Y
- 6.04%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 8.15%
UTES
- 1D
- 1.44%
- 1M
- -2.90%
- 6M
- 3.82%
- YTD
- 0.36%
- 1Y
- -2.59%
- 3Y*
- 22.82%
- 5Y*
- 14.89%
- 10Y*
- 12.14%
- ALL TIME*
- 13.64%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $11.31M | $10.12M | $13.80M | |
| $34.66K | $24.34K | $44.05K |
VSHY vs. UTES - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
VSHY Virtus Newfleet Short Duration High Yield Bond ETF | 2.97% | 6.87% | 8.03% | 3.76% |
UTES Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF | 0.36% | 25.71% | 45.35% | 1.52% |
Correlation
The correlation between VSHY and UTES is 0.25, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.25 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 28, 2023 | 0.36 |
The correlation between VSHY and UTES shifts across timeframes, from 0.25 (1 year) to 0.36 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
VSHY vs. UTES — Risk / Return Rank
VSHY
UTES
VSHY vs. UTES - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus Newfleet Short Duration High Yield Bond ETF (VSHY) and Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF (UTES). 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.
| VSHY | UTES | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.89 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +2.71 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.34 | 1.00 | +0.34 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.50 | -0.19 | +3.69 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 13.01 | -0.39 | +13.39 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
VSHY vs. UTES - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VSHY drawdown since its inception was -4.55%, smaller than the maximum UTES drawdown of -35.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSHY and UTES.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| VSHY | UTES | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -4.55% | -35.39% | +30.84% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -1.73% | -13.88% | +12.15% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -17.62% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -20.40% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -35.39% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | -9.00% | +9.00% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.40% | -5.54% | +5.14% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.47% | 6.74% | -6.27% |
Volatility
VSHY vs. UTES - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Virtus Newfleet Short Duration High Yield Bond ETF (VSHY) is 0.70%, while Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF (UTES) has a volatility of 5.50%. This indicates that VSHY experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than UTES based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| VSHY | UTES | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.70% | 5.50% | -4.80% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.82% | 16.23% | -13.41% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.44% | 21.46% | -18.02% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 4.33% | 20.75% | -16.42% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.33% | 20.27% | -15.94% |
VSHY vs. UTES - Expense Ratio Comparison
VSHY has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is lower than UTES's 0.49% expense ratio.
Dividends
VSHY vs. UTES - Dividend Comparison
VSHY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.24%, more than UTES's 1.51% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
UTES Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF | 1.51% | 1.42% | 1.51% | 2.44% | 2.13% | 1.94% | 2.09% | 1.84% | 2.09% | 3.44% | 3.53% | 0.61% |
VSHY Virtus Newfleet Short Duration High Yield Bond ETF | 6.24% | 6.14% | 6.81% | 1.36% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VSHY and UTES have a correlation of 0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
UTES has higher volatility (5.50%) compared to VSHY (0.70%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSHY dropped -4.55% vs UTES's -35.39%.
On 1-year performance, VSHY leads with 6.04% vs -2.59% for UTES. On fees, VSHY is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, VSHY has been the lower-risk option at 0.70%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, VSHY has performed better with a 6.04% return vs -2.59%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VSHY is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for UTES.
VSHY has the higher dividend yield at 6.24%, compared with 1.51% for UTES.
VSHY is categorized as High Yield Bonds, while UTES is Utilities Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for VSHY and 0.49% for UTES.
VSHY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs -0.12), 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.
Find the right allocation for VSHY and UTES
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer