UTESvsXLUETF Comparison
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Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF (UTES) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) belong to the same industry segment: US Utilities. Both ETFs have the same top 1 sector exposures: Utilities. UTES is more expensive with a Total Expense Ratio (TER) of 0.49%, versus 0.08% for XLU. UTES is down -2.86% year-to-date (YTD) with -$83M in YTD flows. XLU performs better with 3.64% YTD performance, and +$548M in YTD flows. Run a side-by-side ETF comparison of UTES and XLU below, and assess how they stack up in performance, liquidity, risk, exposure, holdings, and more, helping you select the best ETF for your investments.
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UTES vs XLU performance and flow charts
Performance
Cumulative Flows
Historic performance and flows
Data as of 08/05/2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | UTES XLU | -6.31%-3.59% | -8.88%-5.28% | -2.86%+3.64% | -6.53%+3.87% | +79.20%+49.33% | +91.47%+50.19% |
| Flows | UTES XLU | -$11M+$143M | -$153M+$229M | -$83M+$548M | +$660M+$1.46B | +$1.21B+$3.16B | +$1.22B+$6.53B |
Volatility and drawdown
| 3M | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volatility | UTES XLU | +21.73%+16.89% | +21.34%+15.08% | +21.92%+16.41% | +20.78%+17.40% |
| Max drawdown | UTES XLU | -9.54%-7.12% | -13.76%-9.19% | -17.24%-13.20% | -20.55%-25.30% |
| Max drawdown duration | UTES XLU | 38d51d | 294d120d | 109d89d | 590d688d |
Trading data
UTES | XLU | |
Last sale 8/5/2026 at 1:30 PM | $76.03 | $43.66 |
| Previous close 08/05/2026 | $77.13 | $44.11 |
| Consolidated volume 08/05/2026 | ||
| Average volume 30 days | ||
| Average discount or premium 30 days | ||
| Average Bid/Ask spread 30 days |
Replication quality
Data as of July 31, 2026
1-year trailing difference
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UTES
is actively managed and doesn’t replicate an indexUTES | XLU | |
|---|---|---|
| Tracking error | ||
| Tracking difference | ||
| 1 year cumulative return difference | ||
| Best | ||
| Worst | ||
| Daily return difference | ||
| Average | ||
| Worst | ||
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Main metrics
Last update 8/5/2026 at 1:30 PM
Live
Closed
UTES | XLU | |
|---|---|---|
| Last price | $76.03 | $43.66 |
| 1D performance | -1.43% | -1.02% |
| AuM | $1.29 B | $22.74 B |
| E/R | 0.49% | 0.08% |
Characteristics
UTES | XLU | |
|---|---|---|
| Management strategy | Active | Passive |
| Provider | VIRTUS Investment Partners | State Street Investment Management |
| Benchmark | - | S&P Utilities Select Sector Index |
| N° of holdings | 18 | 31 |
| Asset class | - | Equities |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | Join | Join |
| Inception date | February 7, 2019 | December 16, 1998 |
| ESG | No | No |
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Exposure
Countries
UTES
USA
99.93%
Other
0.07%
XLU
USA
100.07%
Other
-0.07%
Sectors
UTES
Utilities
99.93%
Other
0.07%
XLU
Utilities
100.07%
Other
-0.07%
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Diversification
UTES
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
90.19%
XLU
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
72.18%
Top 15 holdings
Data as of June 30, 2026
UTES
Talen Energy Corp.
12.26%
Constellation Energy Corp.
10.44%
Vistra Corp.
10.37%
Xcel Energy, Inc.
6.80%
CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
6.38%
Entergy Corp.
4.98%
American Electric Power Co., Inc.
4.98%
Alliant Energy Corp.
4.91%
Sempra
4.70%
IDACORP, Inc.
4.41%
NRG Energy, Inc.
4.41%
WEC Energy Group, Inc.
4.20%
DTE Energy Co.
3.85%
Ameren Corp.
3.78%
NextEra Energy, Inc.
3.71%
XLU
NextEra Energy, Inc.
12.94%
The Southern Co.
7.63%
Duke Energy Corp.
6.98%
Constellation Energy Corp.
5.61%
American Electric Power Co., Inc.
5.26%
Sempra
4.28%
Dominion Energy, Inc.
4.25%
Entergy Corp.
3.72%
Vistra Corp.
3.55%
Xcel Energy, Inc.
3.54%
Exelon Corp.
3.37%
Consolidated Edison, Inc.
2.88%
Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.
2.86%
WEC Energy Group, Inc.
2.69%
PG&E Corp.
2.62%
Frequently asked questions about UTES and XLU
How have the UTES and XLU ETFs performed in 2026?
As of August 5, 2026, UTES is down -2.86% year-to-date (YTD), while XLU has returned 3.64%. That puts XLU better performer ahead so far this year.
Which ETF is attracting more investor money: UTES or XLU?
Year-to-date, the UTES ETF saw -$83M in flows, compared to +$548M for XLU.
Which ETF is more volatile: UTES or XLU?
Over the past year, UTES had a volatility of 21.34%, while XLU experienced 15.08%.
Which ETF is bigger: UTES or XLU?
As of August 5, 2026, UTES holds $1.29 B in assets under management (AUM), while XLU manages $22.74 B.
What sectors do the UTES and XLU ETFs invest in?
UTES leans toward sectors like Utilities. Meanwhile, XLU focuses on Utilities.
What are the top holdings of the UTES ETF and XLU ETF?
UTES top holdings include Talen Energy Corp., Constellation Energy Corp. and Vistra Corp.. XLU holds in its top three: NextEra Energy, Inc., The Southern Co. and Duke Energy Corp..
Which ETF is more diversified: UTES or XLU?
UTES holds 18 securities with 90.19% of its assets in the top 15. XLU has 31 securities and a top 15 weight of 72.18%.
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Latest news about UTES & XLU
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Investing in Sector ETFs: Consumer Staples, Healthcare, & Utilities
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Exploring Sector Rotation: Value vs. Growth
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May 2024 U.S. Sector ETFs Inflows and Outflows Breakdown
May 22, 2024
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