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 -1.71% year-to-date (YTD) with -$218M in YTD flows. XLU performs better with 3.88% YTD performance, and +$1.97B 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 10/30/2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | UTES XLU | +9.34%+10.16% | -0.82%-1.99% | -1.71%+3.88% | -7.01%-0.44% | +92.90%+60.50% | +90.06%+50.22% |
| Flows | UTES XLU | -$72M+$862M | -$150M+$1.55B | -$218M+$1.97B | +$50M+$2.15B | +$1.07B+$5.04B | +$1.08B+$8.21B |
Volatility and drawdown
| 3M | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volatility | UTES XLU | +21.40%+15.45% | +22.16%+15.85% | +22.08%+16.09% | +21.09%+17.49% |
| Max drawdown | UTES XLU | -10.88%-11.40% | -17.56%-16.03% | -18.91%-16.03% | -20.55%-25.30% |
| Max drawdown duration | UTES XLU | 88d92d | 247d243d | 380d243d | 590d688d |
Trading data
UTES | XLU | |
Last sale 11/2/2026 at 2:30 PM | $76.30 | $43.67 |
| Previous close 10/30/2026 | $76.64 | $43.43 |
| Consolidated volume 10/30/2026 | ||
| Average volume 30 days | ||
| Average discount or premium 30 days | ||
| Average Bid/Ask spread 30 days |
Replication quality
Data as of October 30, 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 11/2/2026 at 2:30 PM
Live
Closed
UTES | XLU | |
|---|---|---|
| Last price | $76.30 | $43.67 |
| 1D performance | -0.44% | +0.55% |
| AuM | $1.16 B | $24.25 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
99.66%
Other
0.34%
XLU
USA
99.75%
Other
0.25%
Sectors
UTES
Utilities
99.66%
Other
0.34%
XLU
Utilities
99.75%
Other
0.25%
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Diversification
UTES
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
90.44%
XLU
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
72.68%
Top 15 holdings
Data as of September 30, 2026
UTES
Constellation Energy Corp.
12.35%
Talen Energy Corp.
10.81%
Vistra Corp.
10.29%
Xcel Energy, Inc.
6.98%
CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
6.44%
American Electric Power Co., Inc.
4.87%
NiSource, Inc.
4.86%
Entergy Corp.
4.76%
Alliant Energy Corp.
4.73%
IDACORP, Inc.
4.66%
WEC Energy Group, Inc.
4.41%
Ameren Corp.
4.01%
NextEra Energy, Inc.
3.89%
DTE Energy Co.
3.74%
NRG Energy, Inc.
3.64%
XLU
NextEra Energy, Inc.
12.73%
The Southern Co.
7.68%
Duke Energy Corp.
7.16%
Constellation Energy Corp.
6.74%
American Electric Power Co., Inc.
5.20%
Dominion Energy, Inc.
4.29%
Sempra
4.11%
Entergy Corp.
3.73%
Xcel Energy, Inc.
3.55%
Vistra Corp.
3.52%
Exelon Corp.
3.36%
Consolidated Edison, Inc.
3.05%
Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.
2.70%
WEC Energy Group, Inc.
2.65%
Ameren Corp.
2.22%
Frequently asked questions about UTES and XLU
How have the UTES and XLU ETFs performed in 2026?
As of October 30, 2026, UTES is down -1.71% year-to-date (YTD), while XLU has returned 3.88%. 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 -$218M in flows, compared to +$1.97B for XLU.
Which ETF is more volatile: UTES or XLU?
Over the past year, UTES had a volatility of 22.16%, while XLU experienced 15.85%.
Which ETF is bigger: UTES or XLU?
As of October 30, 2026, UTES holds $1.16 B in assets under management (AUM), while XLU manages $24.25 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 Constellation Energy Corp., Talen 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 90.44% of its assets in the top 15. XLU has 31 securities and a top 15 weight of 72.68%.
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Latest news about UTES & XLU
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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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