VUIAX vs. FUTY

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

VUIAX (Vanguard Utilities Index Fund Admiral Shares) and FUTY (Fidelity MSCI Utilities Index ETF) are both Utilities Equities funds - VUIAX tracks the MSCI US Investable Market Utilities 25/50 Index while FUTY tracks the MSCI USA IMI Utilities Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VUIAX returned 8.94%/yr vs 8.94%/yr for FUTY. Their 1.00 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. VUIAX charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for FUTY.

Performance

VUIAX vs. FUTY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Utilities Index Fund Admiral Shares (VUIAX) and Fidelity MSCI Utilities Index ETF (FUTY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VUIAX achieves a 4.90% return, which is significantly higher than FUTY's 4.40% return. Over a longer period, both investments have demonstrated similar performance, with their 10-year annualized returns being quite close: VUIAX at 8.94% and FUTY at 8.94%.

VUIAX

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: -3.11%
• 6M: 3.22%
• YTD: 4.90%
• 1Y: 4.31%
• 3Y*: 14.70%
• 5Y*: 8.83%
• 10Y*: 8.94%
• ALL TIME*: 9.69%

FUTY

• 1D: -0.52%
• 1M: -3.56%
• 6M: 2.84%
• YTD: 4.40%
• 1Y: 3.83%
• 3Y*: 14.56%
• 5Y*: 8.59%
• 10Y*: 8.94%
• ALL TIME*: 9.98%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
FUTY Fidelity MSCI Utilities Index ETF	$24.31M	$20.67M	$19.49M
VUIAX Vanguard Utilities Index Fund Admiral Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

VUIAX vs. FUTY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VUIAX Vanguard Utilities Index Fund Admiral Shares	4.90%	16.39%	23.03%	-7.49%	1.13%	17.16%	-0.90%	24.97%	4.45%	12.49%
FUTY Fidelity MSCI Utilities Index ETF	4.40%	16.40%	23.20%	-7.46%	1.12%	17.53%	-0.80%	24.89%	4.36%	12.52%

Correlation

The correlation between VUIAX and FUTY is 1.00 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	1.00
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	1.00
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	1.00
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	1.00
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 24, 2013	1.00

The correlation between VUIAX and FUTY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 1.00 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.

VUIAX vs. FUTY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VUIAX	FUTY
Utilities	98.9%	99.3%
Energy	0.5%	0.5%
Industrials	0.2%	0.2%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-

Return for Risk

VUIAX vs. FUTY — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

VUIAX

VUIAX Risk / Return Rank: 10
VUIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
VUIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
VUIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 9
VUIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
VUIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 10

FUTY

FUTY Risk / Return Rank: 15
FUTY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
FUTY Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
FUTY Omega Ratio Rank: 14
FUTY Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
FUTY Martin Ratio Rank: 16

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

VUIAX vs. FUTY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Utilities Index Fund Admiral Shares (VUIAX) and Fidelity MSCI Utilities Index ETF (FUTY). 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.

	VUIAX	FUTY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.42	0.26	+0.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.67	0.46	+0.21
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.08	1.06	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.69	0.43	+0.26
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.42	0.89	+0.53

VUIAX vs. FUTY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VUIAX Sharpe Ratio is 0.42, which is higher than the FUTY Sharpe Ratio of 0.26. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VUIAX and FUTY, 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

VUIAX vs. FUTY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VUIAX drawdown since its inception was -46.29%, which is greater than FUTY's maximum drawdown of -36.44%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VUIAX and FUTY.

Drawdown Indicators

	VUIAX	FUTY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.29%	-36.44%	-9.85%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.87%	-8.93%	+0.06%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.03%	-12.96%	-0.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.18%	-25.11%	-0.07%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.21%	-36.44%	+0.23%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.74%	-6.17%	+0.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.74%	-6.00%	-1.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.32%	4.37%	-0.05%

Volatility

VUIAX vs. FUTY - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Utilities Index Fund Admiral Shares (VUIAX) and Fidelity MSCI Utilities Index ETF (FUTY) have volatilities of 3.87% and 3.76%, 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.

Volatility by Period

	VUIAX	FUTY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.87%	3.76%	+0.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.87%	11.75%	+0.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.83%	14.74%	+0.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.12%	17.09%	+0.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.23%	19.09%	+0.14%

VUIAX vs. FUTY - Expense Ratio Comparison

VUIAX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is higher than FUTY's 0.08% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VUIAX vs. FUTY - Dividend Comparison

VUIAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.70%, more than FUTY's 2.66% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FUTY Fidelity MSCI Utilities Index ETF	2.66%	2.67%	2.96%	3.31%	2.72%	2.70%	3.07%	2.82%	3.11%	3.03%	3.35%	4.33%
VUIAX Vanguard Utilities Index Fund Admiral Shares	2.70%	2.73%	3.01%	3.49%	2.98%	2.56%	3.17%	2.82%	3.23%	3.18%	3.19%	3.64%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VUIAX and FUTY in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 1.00, VUIAX and FUTY move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, VUIAX or FUTY?

VUIAX has higher volatility (3.87%) compared to FUTY (3.76%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VUIAX dropped -46.29% vs FUTY's -36.44%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VUIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.42 vs 0.26), 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.