VUIAX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VUIAX (Vanguard Utilities Index Fund Admiral Shares) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - VUIAX is a Utilities Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, VUIAX returned 9.05%/yr vs 15.49%/yr for SPY. A 0.53 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VUIAX charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

VUIAX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Utilities Index Fund Admiral Shares (VUIAX) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VUIAX achieves a 3.85% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 10.91% return. Over the past 10 years, VUIAX has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 9.05%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.49% annualized return.

VUIAX

• 1D: 1.99%
• 1M: -4.84%
• YTD: 3.85%
• 6M: 1.87%
• 1Y: 10.24%
• 3Y*: 13.81%
• 5Y*: 9.16%
• 10Y*: 9.05%

SPY

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 5.05%
• YTD: 10.91%
• 6M: 10.91%
• 1Y: 27.98%
• 3Y*: 22.35%
• 5Y*: 13.83%
• 10Y*: 15.49%

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

VUIAX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VUIAX Vanguard Utilities Index Fund Admiral Shares	3.85%	16.39%	23.03%	-7.49%	1.13%	17.16%	-0.90%	24.97%	4.45%	12.49%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between VUIAX and SPY is 0.23, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.23
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.30
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.40
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.39
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 3, 2004	0.53

Over the past year, the correlation between VUIAX and SPY has dropped to 0.23 - well below their long-term average of 0.53, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

VUIAX vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VUIAX	SPY
Utilities	99.3%	2.4%
Energy	0.5%	3.6%
Industrials	0.2%	7.8%
Basic Materials	-	1.8%
Communication Services	-	11.3%
Consumer Cyclical	-	10.3%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.8%
Financial Services	-	11.8%
Healthcare	-	8.4%
Real Estate	-	1.9%
Technology	-	35.9%

Return for Risk

VUIAX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

VUIAX

VUIAX Risk / Return Rank: 9
VUIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
VUIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
VUIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 9
VUIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
VUIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 9

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

VUIAX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Utilities Index Fund Admiral Shares (VUIAX) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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.

	VUIAX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.73	2.38	-1.65
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.07	3.24	-2.17
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.43	-0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.19	3.16	-1.98
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.68	14.72	-12.04
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VUIAX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VUIAX Sharpe Ratio is 0.73, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VUIAX and SPY, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VUIAX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.73	2.38	-1.65
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54	0.82	-0.28
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47	0.87	-0.39
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.59	-0.06

Drawdowns

VUIAX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VUIAX drawdown since its inception was -46.29%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VUIAX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	VUIAX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.29%	-55.19%	+8.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.87%	-8.88%	+0.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.42%	-18.76%	+1.34%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.18%	-24.50%	-0.68%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.21%	-33.72%	-2.49%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.69%	-0.70%	-5.99%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.77%	-9.05%	+1.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.92%	1.91%	+2.01%

Volatility

VUIAX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Utilities Index Fund Admiral Shares (VUIAX) has a higher volatility of 5.42% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.84%. This indicates that VUIAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VUIAX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.42%	2.84%	+2.58%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.64%	8.90%	+2.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.38%	11.83%	+2.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.11%	17.05%	+0.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.18%	17.94%	+1.24%

VUIAX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

VUIAX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% 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. SPY - Dividend Comparison

VUIAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.67%, more than SPY's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.98%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%
VUIAX Vanguard Utilities Index Fund Admiral Shares	2.67%	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 SPY in my portfolio?

VUIAX and SPY have a correlation of 0.23, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VUIAX or SPY?

VUIAX has higher volatility (5.42%) compared to SPY (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VUIAX dropped -46.29% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 0.73), 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.