VPUvsXLUETF Comparison
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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, Industrials and Energy. 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 6.08% year-to-date (YTD) with +$394M in YTD flows. XLU performs better with 6.98% YTD performance, and -$363M 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.
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VPU vs XLU performance and flow charts
Performance
Cumulative Flows
Historic performance and flows
Data as of 05/21/2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | VPU XLU | +0.24%+1.11% | -2.69%-2.15% | +6.08%+6.98% | +14.18%+16.43% | +48.81%+50.35% | +57.44%+59.77% |
| Flows | VPU XLU | +$42M-$1.36B | +$292M-$394M | +$394M-$363M | +$1.01B+$1.89B | +$1.55B+$1.88B | +$1.97B+$6.17B |
Volatility and drawdown
| 3M | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volatility | VPU XLU | +16.50%+16.82% | +14.13%+14.37% | +15.98%+16.31% | +17.13%+17.30% |
| Max drawdown | VPU XLU | -7.08%-7.48% | -8.87%-9.19% | -17.39%-17.29% | -25.15%-25.30% |
| Max drawdown duration | VPU XLU | 81d82d | 120d120d | 275d275d | 688d688d |
Trading data
VPU | XLU | |
Last sale 5/22/2026 at 1:30 PM | $196.47 | $45.35 |
| Previous close 05/21/2026 | $194.93 | $45.00 |
| Consolidated volume 05/21/2026 | ||
| Average volume 30 days | ||
| Average discount or premium 30 days | ||
| Average Bid/Ask spread 30 days |
Replication quality
Data as of April 30, 2026
1-year trailing difference
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VPU | 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 5/22/2026 at 1:30 PM
Live
Closed
VPU | XLU | |
|---|---|---|
| Last price | $196.47 | $45.35 |
| 1D performance | +0.79% | +0.78% |
| AuM | $8.67 B | $22.70 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 | 66 | 31 |
| Asset class | Equities | Equities |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | Join | Join |
| Inception date | January 26, 2004 | December 16, 1998 |
| ESG | No | No |
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Exposure
Countries
VPU
USA
99.23%
Other
0.77%
XLU
USA
99.79%
Other
0.21%
Sectors
VPU
Utilities
97.83%
Other
2.17%
XLU
Utilities
99.79%
Other
0.21%
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Diversification
VPU
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
64.95%
XLU
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
72.3%
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%
XLU
NEXTERA ENERGY
13.59%
SOUTHERN
7.47%
DUKE ENERGY
7.15%
CONSTELLATION ENERGY CORP
6.11%
AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER
4.98%
SEMPRA ENERGY
4.46%
DOMINION ENERGY
3.71%
ENTERGY
3.57%
EXELON CORP
3.52%
VISTRA CORP
3.36%
XCEL ENERGY
3.30%
CONSOLIDATED EDISON
2.87%
PUBLIC SRVCE ENT
2.84%
PG&E
2.71%
WEC ENERGY GROUP INC
2.65%
Frequently asked questions about VPU and XLU
How have the VPU and XLU ETFs performed in 2026?
As of May 21, 2026, VPU is up 6.08% year-to-date (YTD), while XLU has returned 6.98%. 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 +$394M in flows, compared to -$363M for XLU.
Which ETF is more volatile: VPU or XLU?
Over the past year, VPU had a volatility of 14.13%, while XLU experienced 14.37%.
Which ETF is bigger: VPU or XLU?
As of May 21, 2026, VPU holds $8.67 B in assets under management (AUM), while XLU manages $22.70 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, SOUTHERN and DUKE ENERGY. XLU holds in its top three: NEXTERA ENERGY, SOUTHERN and DUKE ENERGY.
Which ETF is more diversified: VPU or XLU?
VPU holds 67 securities with 64.95% of its assets in the top 15. XLU has 31 securities and a top 15 weight of 72.3%.
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