XLUvsVPUETF Comparison
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State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) and Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) belong to the same industry segment: US Utilities. Both ETFs have the same top 3 sector exposures: and Utilities. XLU is less expensive with a Total Expense Ratio (TER) of 0.08%, versus 0.09% for VPU. XLU is up 5.04% year-to-date (YTD) with -$172M in YTD flows. VPU performs worse with 5% YTD performance, and +$394M in YTD flows. Run a side-by-side ETF comparison of XLU and VPU 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 VPU performance and flow charts
Performance
Cumulative Flows
Historic performance and flows
Data as of 05/20/2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | XLU VPU | -2.63%-2.55% | -3.23%-3.06% | +5.04%+5.00% | +10.61%+10.89% | +47.61%+47.29% | +57.40%+56.65% |
| Flows | XLU VPU | -$1.29B+$37M | -$226M+$292M | -$172M+$394M | +$1.95B+$1.01B | +$2.07B+$1.55B | +$6.31B+$1.98B |
Volatility and drawdown
| 3M | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volatility | XLU VPU | +16.80%+16.42% | +14.52%+14.23% | +16.31%+15.98% | +17.30%+17.12% |
| Max drawdown | XLU VPU | -7.48%-7.08% | -9.19%-8.87% | -17.29%-17.39% | -25.30%-25.15% |
| Max drawdown duration | XLU VPU | 80d80d | 120d120d | 275d275d | 688d688d |
Trading data
XLU | VPU | |
Last sale 5/21/2026 at 6:20 PM | $44.81 | $194.27 |
| Previous close 05/20/2026 | $44.51 | $192.92 |
| Consolidated volume 05/20/2026 | ||
| 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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XLU | VPU | |
|---|---|---|
| Tracking error | ||
| Tracking difference | ||
| 1 year cumulative return difference | ||
| Best | ||
| Worst | ||
| Daily return difference | ||
| Average | ||
| Worst | ||
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Main metrics
Last update 5/21/2026 at 6:20 PM
Live
Closed
XLU | VPU | |
|---|---|---|
| Last price | $44.81 | $194.27 |
| 1D performance | +0.66% | +0.70% |
| AuM | $22.48 B | $8.58 B |
| E/R | 0.08% | 0.09% |
Characteristics
XLU | VPU | |
|---|---|---|
| Management strategy | Passive | Passive |
| Provider | State Street Investment Management | Vanguard |
| Benchmark | S&P Utilities Select Sector Index | MSCI US IMI Utilities 25/50 Index |
| N° of holdings | 31 | 66 |
| Asset class | Equities | Equities |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | Join | Join |
| Inception date | December 16, 1998 | January 26, 2004 |
| ESG | No | No |
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Exposure
Countries
XLU
USA
99.79%
Other
0.21%
VPU
USA
99.23%
Other
0.77%
Sectors
XLU
Utilities
99.79%
Other
0.21%
VPU
Utilities
97.83%
Other
2.17%
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Diversification
XLU
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
72.3%
VPU
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
64.95%
Top 15 holdings
Data as of March 31, 2026
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%
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%
Frequently asked questions about XLU and VPU
How have the XLU and VPU ETFs performed in 2026?
As of May 20, 2026, XLU is up 5.04% year-to-date (YTD), while VPU has returned 5%. That puts XLU better performer ahead so far this year.
Which ETF is attracting more investor money: XLU or VPU?
Year-to-date, the XLU ETF saw -$172M in flows, compared to +$394M for VPU.
Which ETF is more volatile: XLU or VPU?
Over the past year, XLU had a volatility of 14.52%, while VPU experienced 14.23%.
Which ETF is bigger: XLU or VPU?
As of May 20, 2026, XLU holds $22.48 B in assets under management (AUM), while VPU manages $8.58 B.
What sectors do the XLU and VPU ETFs invest in?
XLU leans toward sectors like Utilities. Meanwhile, VPU focuses on Utilities.
What are the top holdings of the XLU ETF and VPU ETF?
XLU top holdings include NEXTERA ENERGY, SOUTHERN and DUKE ENERGY. VPU holds in its top three: NEXTERA ENERGY, SOUTHERN and DUKE ENERGY.
Which ETF is more diversified: XLU or VPU?
XLU holds 31 securities with 72.3% of its assets in the top 15. VPU has 67 securities and a top 15 weight of 64.95%.
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