XLUvsUTESETF Comparison
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State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) and Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF (UTES) belong to the same industry segment: US Utilities. Both ETFs have the same top 1 sector exposures: Utilities. XLU is less expensive with a Total Expense Ratio (TER) of 0.08%, versus 0.49% for UTES. XLU is up 3.12% year-to-date (YTD) with +$439M in YTD flows. UTES performs worse with -1.66% YTD performance, and -$136M in YTD flows. Run a side-by-side ETF comparison of XLU and UTES 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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XLU vs UTES performance and flow charts
Performance
Cumulative Flows
Historic performance and flows
Data as of 09/08/2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | XLU UTES | +0.70%+1.64% | +0.51%-0.43% | +3.12%-1.66% | +8.11%+0.29% | +50.37%+82.21% | +44.61%+87.10% |
| Flows | XLU UTES | -$88M-$45M | +$456M-$60M | +$439M-$136M | +$1.03B+$515M | +$2.94B+$1.16B | +$5.59B+$1.16B |
Volatility and drawdown
| 3M | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volatility | XLU UTES | +14.46%+18.63% | +15.34%+21.52% | +16.44%+22.01% | +17.42%+20.82% |
| Max drawdown | XLU UTES | -8.78%-12.26% | -10.39%-14.63% | -13.20%-17.24% | -25.30%-20.55% |
| Max drawdown duration | XLU UTES | 44d72d | 191d328d | 89d109d | 688d590d |
Trading data
XLU | UTES | |
Last sale 9/9/2026 at 1:30 PM | $42.94 | $76.16 |
| Previous close 09/08/2026 | $43.45 | $77.06 |
| Consolidated volume 09/08/2026 | ||
| Average volume 30 days | ||
| Average discount or premium 30 days | ||
| Average Bid/Ask spread 30 days |
Replication quality
Data as of August 31, 2026
1-year trailing difference
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UTES
is actively managed and doesn’t replicate an indexXLU | UTES | |
|---|---|---|
| Tracking error | ||
| Tracking difference | ||
| 1 year cumulative return difference | ||
| Best | ||
| Worst | ||
| Daily return difference | ||
| Average | ||
| Worst | ||
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Main metrics
Last update 9/9/2026 at 1:30 PM
Live
Closed
XLU | UTES | |
|---|---|---|
| Last price | $42.94 | $76.16 |
| 1D performance | -1.17% | -1.17% |
| AuM | $22.53 B | $1.25 B |
| E/R | 0.08% | 0.49% |
Characteristics
XLU | UTES | |
|---|---|---|
| Management strategy | Passive | Active |
| Provider | State Street Investment Management | VIRTUS Investment Partners |
| Benchmark | S&P Utilities Select Sector Index | - |
| N° of holdings | 31 | 18 |
| Asset class | Equities | - |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | Join | Join |
| Inception date | December 16, 1998 | February 7, 2019 |
| ESG | No | No |
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Exposure
Countries
XLU
USA
99.7%
Other
0.3%
UTES
USA
99.83%
Other
0.17%
Sectors
XLU
Utilities
99.7%
Other
0.3%
UTES
Utilities
99.83%
Other
0.17%
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Diversification
XLU
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
72.23%
UTES
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
89.88%
Top 15 holdings
Data as of July 31, 2026
XLU
NextEra Energy, Inc.
13.07%
The Southern Co.
7.68%
Duke Energy Corp.
7.05%
Constellation Energy Corp.
6.05%
American Electric Power Co., Inc.
5.01%
Dominion Energy, Inc.
4.39%
Sempra
4.17%
Entergy Corp.
3.55%
Xcel Energy, Inc.
3.52%
Vistra Corp.
3.39%
Exelon Corp.
3.38%
Consolidated Edison, Inc.
2.89%
PG&E Corp.
2.76%
Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.
2.75%
WEC Energy Group, Inc.
2.57%
UTES
Constellation Energy Corp.
10.93%
Talen Energy Corp.
10.64%
Vistra Corp.
10.08%
Xcel Energy, Inc.
6.97%
CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
6.64%
Entergy Corp.
5.14%
American Electric Power Co., Inc.
5.05%
Alliant Energy Corp.
5.01%
IDACORP, Inc.
4.59%
Sempra
4.54%
WEC Energy Group, Inc.
4.27%
NRG Energy, Inc.
4.27%
DTE Energy Co.
3.92%
NextEra Energy, Inc.
3.92%
Ameren Corp.
3.91%
Frequently asked questions about XLU and UTES
How have the XLU and UTES ETFs performed in 2026?
As of September 8, 2026, XLU is up 3.12% year-to-date (YTD), while UTES has lost -1.66%. That puts XLU better performer ahead so far this year.
Which ETF is attracting more investor money: XLU or UTES?
Year-to-date, the XLU ETF saw +$439M in flows, compared to -$136M for UTES.
Which ETF is more volatile: XLU or UTES?
Over the past year, XLU had a volatility of 15.34%, while UTES experienced 21.52%.
Which ETF is bigger: XLU or UTES?
As of September 8, 2026, XLU holds $22.53 B in assets under management (AUM), while UTES manages $1.25 B.
What sectors do the XLU and UTES ETFs invest in?
XLU leans toward sectors like Utilities. Meanwhile, UTES focuses on Utilities.
What are the top holdings of the XLU ETF and UTES ETF?
XLU top holdings include NextEra Energy, Inc., The Southern Co. and Duke Energy Corp.. UTES holds in its top three: Constellation Energy Corp., Talen Energy Corp. and Vistra Corp..
Which ETF is more diversified: XLU or UTES?
XLU holds 31 securities with 72.23% of its assets in the top 15. UTES has 18 securities and a top 15 weight of 89.88%.
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