XLUI vs. VPU

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

XLUI (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF) and VPU (Vanguard Utilities ETF) are both Utilities Equities funds. XLUI is actively managed, while VPU is passively managed. Over the past year, XLUI returned 8.36% vs 6.03% for VPU. Their correlation of 0.94 means they have usually moved in the same direction. XLUI charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VPU.

Performance

XLUI vs. VPU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLUI) and Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XLUI achieves a 8.22% return, which is significantly higher than VPU's 4.72% return.

XLUI

• 1D: -0.50%
• 1M: -1.79%
• 6M: 6.47%
• YTD: 8.22%
• 1Y: 8.36%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 8.49%

VPU

• 1D: -0.71%
• 1M: -3.20%
• 6M: 3.07%
• YTD: 4.72%
• 1Y: 6.03%
• 3Y*: 13.39%
• 5Y*: 9.10%
• 10Y*: 8.75%
• ALL TIME*: 9.71%

*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)
VPU Vanguard Utilities ETF	$43.24M	$41.48M	$43.21M
XLUI State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	$811.48K	$735.97K	$652.13K

XLUI vs. VPU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
XLUI State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	8.22%	0.27%
VPU Vanguard Utilities ETF	4.72%	2.65%

Correlation

The correlation between XLUI and VPU is 0.94, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 30, 2025	0.94

The correlation between XLUI and VPU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

XLUI vs. VPU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XLUI	VPU
Financial Services	100.4%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	0.5%
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	0.2%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	98.9%

Return for Risk

XLUI vs. VPU — Risk / Return Rank

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

XLUI

XLUI Risk / Return Rank: 33
XLUI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
XLUI Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
XLUI Omega Ratio Rank: 29
XLUI Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
XLUI Martin Ratio Rank: 35

VPU

VPU Risk / Return Rank: 21
VPU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
VPU Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
VPU Omega Ratio Rank: 19
VPU Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
VPU Martin Ratio Rank: 21

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.

XLUI vs. VPU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLUI) 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.

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.

	XLUI	VPU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.75	0.41	+0.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.06	0.66	+0.40
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.08	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.42	0.68	+0.73
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.39	1.40	+1.98

XLUI vs. VPU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XLUI Sharpe Ratio is 0.75, which is higher than the VPU Sharpe Ratio of 0.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XLUI 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.

Drawdowns

XLUI vs. VPU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLUI drawdown since its inception was -6.01%, smaller than the maximum VPU drawdown of -46.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLUI and VPU.

Drawdown Indicators

	XLUI	VPU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-6.01%	-46.31%	+40.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.01%	-8.90%	+2.89%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-12.95%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-25.15%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-36.42%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.64%	-5.88%	+2.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.87%	-7.76%	+5.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.51%	4.33%	-1.82%

Volatility

XLUI vs. VPU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLUI) is 3.81%, while Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) has a volatility of 4.41%. This indicates that XLUI 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

	XLUI	VPU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.81%	4.41%	-0.60%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.94%	11.79%	-2.85%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.32%	14.72%	-3.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.30%	17.05%	-5.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.30%	19.16%	-7.86%

XLUI vs. VPU - Expense Ratio Comparison

XLUI has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than VPU's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

XLUI vs. VPU - Dividend Comparison

XLUI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 14.00%, more 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%
XLUI State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	14.00%	7.12%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XLUI and VPU in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, XLUI and VPU 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, XLUI or VPU?

VPU has higher volatility (4.41%) compared to XLUI (3.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLUI dropped -6.01% vs VPU's -46.31%.

Which ETF is better, XLUI or VPU?

On 1-year performance, XLUI leads with 8.36% vs 6.03% for VPU. On fees, VPU is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, XLUI has been the lower-risk option at 3.81%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XLUI or VPU?

Over the 1-year period, XLUI has performed better with a 8.36% return vs 6.03%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XLUI or VPU?

VPU is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for XLUI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XLUI or VPU?

XLUI has the higher dividend yield at 14.00%, compared with 2.70% for VPU.

What is the main difference between XLUI and VPU?

They also come from different issuers: State Street and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XLUI and 0.09% for VPU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLUI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.75 vs 0.41), 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.