VWRL.L vs. VPU

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VWRL.L (Vanguard FTSE All-World UCITS ETF Distributing) and VPU (Vanguard Utilities ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VWRL.L is a Global Equities fund tracking the FTSE All-World Index, while VPU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Utilities 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VWRL.L returned 13.37%/yr vs 9.58%/yr for VPU. At a 0.26 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VWRL.L charges 0.19%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VPU.

Performance

VWRL.L vs. VPU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a £10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE All-World UCITS ETF Distributing (VWRL.L) and Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Different Trading Currencies

VWRL.L is traded in GBP, while VPU is traded in USD. To make them comparable, the VPU values have been converted to GBP using the latest available exchange rates.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VWRL.L achieves a 10.38% return, which is significantly higher than VPU's 3.68% return. Over the past 10 years, VWRL.L has outperformed VPU with an annualized return of 13.37%, while VPU has yielded a comparatively lower 9.58% annualized return.

VWRL.L

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: 2.33%
• YTD: 10.38%
• 6M: 10.56%
• 1Y: 27.51%
• 3Y*: 17.75%
• 5Y*: 12.03%
• 10Y*: 13.37%

VPU

• 1D: -1.90%
• 1M: -0.55%
• YTD: 3.68%
• 6M: 2.94%
• 1Y: 12.19%
• 3Y*: 10.53%
• 5Y*: 10.14%
• 10Y*: 9.58%

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

VWRL.L vs. VPU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VWRL.L Vanguard FTSE All-World UCITS ETF Distributing	10.38%	13.99%	19.60%	15.61%	-8.44%	20.05%	12.13%	22.04%	-4.71%	13.21%
VPU Vanguard Utilities ETF	3.68%	8.16%	25.19%	-12.07%	13.08%	18.51%	-3.65%	20.14%	10.57%	2.72%

Correlation

The correlation between VWRL.L and VPU is 0.14, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.14
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.13
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.15
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.24
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 23, 2012	0.26

The correlation between VWRL.L and VPU shifts across timeframes, from 0.13 (3 years) to 0.26 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VWRL.L vs. VPU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VWRL.L	VPU
Technology	29.5%	-
Financial Services	16.2%	-
Industrials	10.4%	0.2%
Consumer Cyclical	9.2%	-
Communication Services	8.7%	-
Healthcare	8.0%	-
Consumer Defensive	5.0%	-
Energy	4.2%	0.5%
Basic Materials	3.8%	-
Utilities	2.9%	99.3%
Real Estate	1.8%	-

Return for Risk

VWRL.L vs. VPU — Risk / Return Rank

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

VWRL.L

VWRL.L Risk / Return Rank: 86
VWRL.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
VWRL.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
VWRL.L Omega Ratio Rank: 88
VWRL.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
VWRL.L Martin Ratio Rank: 84

VPU

VPU Risk / Return Rank: 23
VPU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
VPU Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
VPU Omega Ratio Rank: 22
VPU Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
VPU Martin Ratio Rank: 22

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.

VWRL.L vs. VPU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE All-World UCITS ETF Distributing (VWRL.L) and Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU). 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.

	VWRL.L	VPU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.63	0.83	+1.80
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.64	1.22	+2.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	1.15	+0.36
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.87	1.31	+2.55
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.69	2.83	+12.86
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VWRL.L vs. VPU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VWRL.L Sharpe Ratio is 2.63, which is higher than the VPU Sharpe Ratio of 0.83. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VWRL.L and VPU, 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

	VWRL.L	VPU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.63	0.83	+1.80
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94	0.60	+0.34
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94	0.48	+0.46
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.93	0.53	+0.40

Drawdowns

VWRL.L vs. VPU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VWRL.L drawdown since its inception was -24.99%, smaller than the maximum VPU drawdown of -30.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VWRL.L and VPU.

Drawdown Indicators

	VWRL.L	VPU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.99%	-30.24%	+5.25%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.08%	-9.34%	+2.26%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.47%	-12.37%	-5.10%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.47%	-28.02%	+10.55%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-24.99%	-28.55%	+3.56%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.81%	-7.21%	+5.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.32%	-7.20%	+3.88%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.75%	4.32%	-2.57%

Volatility

VWRL.L vs. VPU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard FTSE All-World UCITS ETF Distributing (VWRL.L) is 2.99%, while Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) has a volatility of 5.90%. This indicates that VWRL.L experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VPU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VWRL.L	VPU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.99%	5.90%	-2.91%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.71%	11.89%	-4.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.43%	14.80%	-4.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.86%	17.07%	-4.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.25%	20.00%	-5.75%

VWRL.L vs. VPU - Expense Ratio Comparison

VWRL.L has a 0.19% expense ratio, which is higher than VPU'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

VWRL.L vs. VPU - Dividend Comparison

VWRL.L's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.26%, less than VPU's 2.70% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VPU Vanguard Utilities ETF	2.70%	2.73%	3.02%	3.49%	2.98%	2.70%	3.17%	2.83%	3.23%	3.18%	3.19%	3.63%
VWRL.L Vanguard FTSE All-World UCITS ETF Distributing	1.26%	1.39%	1.49%	1.72%	2.03%	1.45%	1.58%	1.95%	2.22%	1.90%	1.95%	2.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VWRL.L and VPU in my portfolio?

VWRL.L and VPU have a correlation of 0.14, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, VWRL.L or VPU?

On fees, VPU is cheaper at 0.09% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, VWRL.L or VPU?

VPU is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.19% for VWRL.L.

What is the main difference between VWRL.L and VPU?

VWRL.L is categorized as Global Equities, while VPU is Utilities Equities. VWRL.L tracks FTSE All-World Index, while VPU tracks MSCI US Investable Market Utilities 25/50 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.19% for VWRL.L and 0.09% for VPU.