VPUvsFXUETF Comparison
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Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) and First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX ETF (FXU) belong to the same industry segment: US Utilities. VPU's top 3 sector exposures are Utilities, Industrials and Energy. In contrast, FXU's top sector exposures are Utilities, Industrials VPU is less expensive with a Total Expense Ratio (TER) of 0.09%, versus 0.61% for FXU. VPU is up 8.86% year-to-date (YTD) with +$353M in YTD flows. FXU performs better with 10.28% YTD performance, and -$1.01B in YTD flows. Run a side-by-side ETF comparison of VPU and FXU 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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VPU vs FXU performance and flow charts
Performance
Cumulative Flows
Historic performance and flows
Data as of 04/27/2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | VPU FXU | +1.56%+1.52% | +6.70%+6.96% | +8.86%+10.28% | +20.54%+23.45% | +46.41%+58.32% | +62.38%+81.02% |
| Flows | VPU FXU | +$96M+$35M | +$328M-$178M | +$353M-$1.01B | +$965M-$859M | +$1.50B+$254M | +$1.98B+$392M |
Volatility and drawdown
| 3M | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volatility | VPU FXU | +16.43%+15.28% | +13.88%+13.02% | +15.88%+15.77% | +17.12%+16.74% |
| Max drawdown | VPU FXU | -6.44%-5.67% | -8.87%-5.88% | -17.83%-17.58% | -25.15%-21.82% |
| Max drawdown duration | VPU FXU | 57d37d | 120d71d | 352d368d | 688d604d |
Trading data
VPU | FXU | |
Last sale 4/28/2026 at 1:30 PM | $200.06 | $49.49 |
| Previous close 04/27/2026 | $200.11 | $49.42 |
| Consolidated volume 04/27/2026 | ||
| Average volume 30 days | ||
| Average discount or premium 30 days | ||
| Average Bid/Ask spread 30 days |
Replication quality
Data as of March 31, 2026
1-year trailing difference
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VPU | FXU | |
|---|---|---|
| Tracking error | ||
| Tracking difference | ||
| 1 year cumulative return difference | ||
| Best | ||
| Worst | ||
| Daily return difference | ||
| Average | ||
| Worst | ||
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Main metrics
Last update 4/28/2026 at 1:30 PM
Live
Closed
VPU | FXU | |
|---|---|---|
| Last price | $200.06 | $49.49 |
| 1D performance | -0.02% | +0.13% |
| AuM | $8.86 B | $891.42 M |
| E/R | 0.09% | 0.61% |
Characteristics
VPU | FXU | |
|---|---|---|
| Management strategy | Passive | Passive |
| Provider | Vanguard | First Trust |
| Benchmark | MSCI US IMI Utilities 25/50 Index | StrataQuant Utilities Index |
| N° of holdings | 66 | 40 |
| Asset class | Equities | Equities |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | Join | Join |
| Inception date | January 26, 2004 | May 8, 2007 |
| ESG | No | No |
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Exposure
Countries
VPU
USA
99.23%
Other
0.77%
FXU
USA
99.75%
Other
0.25%
Sectors
VPU
Utilities
97.83%
Other
2.17%
FXU
Utilities
94.01%
Other
5.99%
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Diversification
VPU
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
64.95%
FXU
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
57.19%
Top 15 holdings
Data as of March 31, 2026
VPU
NEXTERA ENERGY
12.15%
SOUTHERN
6.75%
DUKE ENERGY
6.47%
CONSTELLATION ENERGY CORP
5.46%
AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER
4.45%
SEMPRA ENERGY
4.03%
DOMINION ENERGY
3.35%
VISTRA CORP
3.24%
ENTERGY
3.19%
XCEL ENERGY
2.98%
EXELON CORP
2.87%
CONSOLIDATED EDISON
2.59%
PUBLIC SRVCE ENT
2.57%
PG&E
2.45%
WEC ENERGY GROUP INC
2.39%
FXU
EDISON INTERNATIONAL
4.61%
NFG
4.37%
CONSOLIDATED EDISON
4.32%
OGE ENERGY
4.25%
EXELON CORP
4.22%
PG&E
4.16%
ESSENTIAL UTILITIES INC
3.99%
UGI
3.63%
CLEARWAY ENERGY INC
3.61%
PINNACLE WEST
3.45%
AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER
3.44%
EVERGY
3.42%
DUKE ENERGY
3.36%
MDU RESOURCES GROUP
3.24%
EVERSOURCE ENERGY
3.12%
Frequently asked questions about VPU and FXU
How have the VPU and FXU ETFs performed in 2026?
As of April 27, 2026, VPU is up 8.86% year-to-date (YTD), while FXU has returned 10.28%. That puts FXU better performer ahead so far this year.
Which ETF is attracting more investor money: VPU or FXU?
Year-to-date, the VPU ETF saw +$353M in flows, compared to -$1.01B for FXU.
Which ETF is more volatile: VPU or FXU?
Over the past year, VPU had a volatility of 13.88%, while FXU experienced 13.02%.
Which ETF is bigger: VPU or FXU?
As of April 27, 2026, VPU holds $8.86 B in assets under management (AUM), while FXU manages $891.42 M.
What sectors do the VPU and FXU ETFs invest in?
VPU leans toward sectors like Utilities. Meanwhile, FXU focuses on Utilities.
What are the top holdings of the VPU ETF and FXU ETF?
VPU top holdings include NEXTERA ENERGY, SOUTHERN and DUKE ENERGY. FXU holds in its top three: EDISON INTERNATIONAL, NFG and CONSOLIDATED EDISON.
Which ETF is more diversified: VPU or FXU?
VPU holds 67 securities with 64.95% of its assets in the top 15. FXU has 40 securities and a top 15 weight of 57.19%.
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