VUS vs. SEIX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VUS (Virtus U.S. Dividend ETF) and SEIX (Virtus Seix Senior Loan ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VUS is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Virtus, while SEIX is a Bank Loan fund tracking the Credit Suisse Leveraged Loan Index. VUS is actively managed, while SEIX is passively managed. At a 0.48 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VUS charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.57%/yr for SEIX.

Performance

VUS vs. SEIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus U.S. Dividend ETF (VUS) and Virtus Seix Senior Loan ETF (SEIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VUS achieves a 19.89% return, which is significantly higher than SEIX's 2.06% return.

VUS

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: 3.42%
• YTD: 19.89%
• 6M: 20.51%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SEIX

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 0.36%
• YTD: 2.06%
• 6M: 2.65%
• 1Y: 6.04%
• 3Y*: 8.06%
• 5Y*: 5.74%
• 10Y*: —

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

VUS vs. SEIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VUS Virtus U.S. Dividend ETF	19.89%	0.81%
SEIX Virtus Seix Senior Loan ETF	2.06%	0.71%

Correlation

The correlation between VUS and SEIX is 0.48, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 4, 2025	0.48

Return for Risk

VUS vs. SEIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SEIX

SEIX Risk / Return Rank: 94
SEIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
SEIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
SEIX Omega Ratio Rank: 97
SEIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
SEIX Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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.

VUS vs. SEIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus U.S. Dividend ETF (VUS) and Virtus Seix Senior Loan ETF (SEIX). 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VUS	SEIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	3.77	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.97	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	3.20	1.23	+1.97

Drawdowns

VUS vs. SEIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VUS drawdown since its inception was -9.45%, smaller than the maximum SEIX drawdown of -17.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VUS and SEIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VUS	SEIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.45%	-17.51%	+8.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-1.13%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-3.01%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-6.69%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.62%	-0.09%	-0.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.46%	-0.87%	-0.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.28%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	VUS	SEIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	0.34%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	1.29%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.58%	1.61%	+12.97%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.58%	2.93%	+11.65%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.58%	4.34%	+10.24%

VUS vs. SEIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VUS has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than SEIX's 0.57% expense ratio.

Dividends

VUS vs. SEIX - Dividend Comparison

VUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.73%, less than SEIX's 7.25% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
SEIX Virtus Seix Senior Loan ETF	7.25%	7.52%	8.09%	8.74%	5.76%	4.16%	3.75%	3.82%
VUS Virtus U.S. Dividend ETF	0.73%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VUS and SEIX in my portfolio?

VUS and SEIX have a correlation of 0.48, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, VUS or SEIX?

On fees, VUS is cheaper at 0.25% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, VUS or SEIX?

VUS is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.57% for SEIX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VUS or SEIX?

SEIX has the higher dividend yield at 7.25%, compared with 0.73% for VUS.

What is the main difference between VUS and SEIX?

VUS is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while SEIX is Bank Loan. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for VUS and 0.57% for SEIX.