VPUvsXLUETF Comparison
VS
Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) belong to the same industry segment: US Utilities. VPU's top 3 sector exposures are Utilities, Energy and Non-Energy Materials. In contrast, XLU's top sector exposures are Utilities. VPU is more expensive with a Total Expense Ratio (TER) of 0.09%, versus 0.08% for XLU. VPU is up 4.21% year-to-date (YTD) with +$442M in YTD flows. XLU performs better with 4.84% YTD performance, and +$345M in YTD flows. Run a side-by-side ETF comparison of VPU 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.
Find out how industry players manage ETF portfolios. Discover our library of Model portfolios
VPU vs XLU performance and flow charts
Performance
Cumulative Flows
Historic performance and flows
Data as of 08/18/2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | VPU XLU | -2.01%-2.20% | +0.61%+1.20% | +4.21%+4.84% | +6.07%+6.49% | +51.85%+53.01% | +47.97%+48.43% |
| Flows | VPU XLU | +$54M-$151M | +$62M+$512M | +$442M+$345M | +$847M+$858M | +$1.41B+$3.14B | +$1.90B+$5.56B |
Volatility and drawdown
| 3M | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volatility | VPU XLU | +15.45%+15.96% | +14.77%+15.14% | +16.05%+16.40% | +17.18%+17.41% |
| Max drawdown | VPU XLU | -6.53%-6.78% | -8.87%-9.19% | -13.00%-13.20% | -25.15%-25.30% |
| Max drawdown duration | VPU XLU | 51d22d | 120d120d | 89d89d | 688d688d |
Trading data
VPU | XLU | |
Last sale 8/19/2026 at 6:34 PM | $190.52 | $44.07 |
| Previous close 08/18/2026 | $190.24 | $44.02 |
| Consolidated volume 08/18/2026 | ||
| 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
Create an account to view replication metrics
Join for free
VPU | XLU | |
|---|---|---|
| Tracking error | ||
| Tracking difference | ||
| 1 year cumulative return difference | ||
| Best | ||
| Worst | ||
| Daily return difference | ||
| Average | ||
| Worst | ||
Advertisement
Main metrics
Last update 8/19/2026 at 6:34 PM
Live
Closed
VPU | XLU | |
|---|---|---|
| Last price | $190.52 | $44.07 |
| 1D performance | +0.15% | +0.10% |
| AuM | $8.51 B | $22.80 B |
| E/R | 0.09% | 0.08% |
Characteristics
VPU | XLU | |
|---|---|---|
| Management strategy | Passive | Passive |
| Provider | Vanguard | State Street Investment Management |
| Benchmark | MSCI US IMI Utilities 25/50 Index | S&P Utilities Select Sector Index |
| N° of holdings | 68 | 31 |
| Asset class | Equities | Equities |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | Join | Join |
| Inception date | January 26, 2004 | December 16, 1998 |
| ESG | No | No |
Advertisement
Exposure
Countries
VPU
USA
99.12%
Other
0.88%
XLU
USA
100.07%
Other
-0.07%
Sectors
VPU
Utilities
98.02%
Other
1.98%
XLU
Utilities
100.07%
Other
-0.07%
Advertisement
Diversification
VPU
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
64.74%
XLU
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
72.18%
Top 15 holdings
Data as of June 30, 2026
VPU
NextEra Energy, Inc.
11.60%
The Southern Co.
6.84%
Duke Energy Corp.
6.24%
Constellation Energy Corp.
4.85%
American Electric Power Co., Inc.
4.71%
Sempra
3.84%
Dominion Energy, Inc.
3.81%
Vistra Corp.
3.40%
Entergy Corp.
3.33%
Xcel Energy, Inc.
3.18%
Exelon Corp.
3.02%
Consolidated Edison, Inc.
2.58%
Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.
2.57%
WEC Energy Group, Inc.
2.41%
PG&E Corp.
2.35%
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 VPU and XLU
How have the VPU and XLU ETFs performed in 2026?
As of August 18, 2026, VPU is up 4.21% year-to-date (YTD), while XLU has returned 4.84%. That puts XLU better performer ahead so far this year.
Which ETF is attracting more investor money: VPU or XLU?
Year-to-date, the VPU ETF saw +$442M in flows, compared to +$345M for XLU.
Which ETF is more volatile: VPU or XLU?
Over the past year, VPU had a volatility of 14.77%, while XLU experienced 15.14%.
Which ETF is bigger: VPU or XLU?
As of August 18, 2026, VPU holds $8.51 B in assets under management (AUM), while XLU manages $22.80 B.
What sectors do the VPU and XLU ETFs invest in?
VPU leans toward sectors like Utilities. Meanwhile, XLU focuses on Utilities.
What are the top holdings of the VPU ETF and XLU ETF?
VPU top holdings include NextEra Energy, Inc., The Southern Co. and Duke Energy Corp.. XLU holds in its top three: NextEra Energy, Inc., The Southern Co. and Duke Energy Corp..
Which ETF is more diversified: VPU or XLU?
VPU holds 68 securities with 64.74% of its assets in the top 15. XLU has 31 securities and a top 15 weight of 72.18%.
Advertisement
Latest news about VPU & XLU
ETF Model Portfolios: The Cockroach Portfolio
March 20, 2026
XLU
ETF Central's Guide to Defensive Sector Investing
March 13, 2026
XLU
Investing in Sector ETFs: Consumer Staples, Healthcare, & Utilities
August 21, 2024
XLU
Exploring Sector Rotation: Value vs. Growth
August 5, 2024
VPU
XLU
Advertisement
May 2024 U.S. Sector ETFs Inflows and Outflows Breakdown
May 22, 2024
XLU
May 2024 U.S. Sector ETFs Inflows and Outflows Breakdown
May 22, 2024
XLU
Utilities Sector: From Laggard to Leader Amidst Expected Rate Cuts
May 14, 2024
VPU
XLU
Advertisement
