UTES vs VOO
Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, UTES or VOO?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VOO is less concentrated, with 37.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 70.3%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | UTES | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.2B | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.61% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 19 | 509 |
| YTD Return | -10.64% | +14.14%Best |
| 1Y Return | -12.95% | +17.31%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.73% | +23.16%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.77% | +13.85%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.2% | 15.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -35.7% | -34.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,238 | $19,128Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 70.3% | 37.6%Best |
| Fund Family | Virtus Investment Partners | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 23, 2015 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 24, 2015 to Sep 21, 2026 (11 years).
UTES vs VOO growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 11 years both funds cover.
UTES vs VOO Performance
Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF (UTES) is an ETF from Virtus Investment Partners and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year UTES returned -12.95% while VOO returned +17.31%. Year to date, UTES is down 10.64% versus a gain of 14.14% for VOO.
Over three years, UTES compounded at +18.73% per year against +23.16% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +12.77% and +13.85% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +14.32% annualized vs +11.04%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
UTES has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.2% compared with 15.1% for VOO. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -35.7% for UTES and -34.3% for VOO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.51. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
UTES charges 0.49% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $49 vs $3 annually, a gap of $46 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, UTES currently yields 1.61% against 1.04% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
85.0% of UTES's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 1.1% of VOO's money is in holdings UTES also owns.
Most of UTES is already inside VOO. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
16 positions in common, counted across the 18 positions we hold weights for in UTES and 494 in VOO, against full books of 19 and 509.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 18 and 494 positions we hold weights for.
VOO holds 471 positions UTES does not, 98.0% of the fund.
Largest: NVDA 7.55%, AAPL 7.05%, MSFT 5.36%, AMZN 4.13%, GOOGL 3.24%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in UTES | Weight in VOO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CEGConstellation Energy Corporation Com | 12.53% | 0.13% | 12.40% |
| VSTVistra Energy Corp. | 10.05% | 0.07% | 9.98% |
| XELXcel Energy Inc. | 7.16% | 0.08% | 7.08% |
| CNPCenterpoint Energy Inc. | 6.55% | 0.04% | 6.51% |
| ETREntergy Corp. | 4.87% | 0.08% | 4.79% |
| AEPAmerican Electric Power Co Inc | 4.81% | 0.11% | 4.70% |
| NINisource Inc. | 4.82% | 0.03% | 4.79% |
| LNTAlliant Energy Corp. | 4.74% | 0.03% | 4.71% |
| WECWec Energy Group Inc. | 4.35% | 0.06% | 4.29% |
| NEENextera Energy Inc | 4.03% | 0.28% | 3.75% |
85.0% of UTES is already inside VOO.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, UTES or VOO?
UTES has an expense ratio of 0.49% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $46 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, UTES or VOO?
Over the past year UTES returned -12.95% vs +17.31% for VOO, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), UTES annualized +11.04% vs +14.32% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, UTES or VOO?
UTES has been the more volatile fund at 16.2% annualized versus 15.1% for VOO. Worst drawdown: UTES -35.7% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both UTES and VOO?
UTES and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.51, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between UTES and VOO?
85.0% of UTES's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 1.1% of VOO's is in holdings UTES also owns. They hold 16 positions in common, counted across the 18 positions we hold weights for in UTES and 494 in VOO.
Which pays a higher dividend, UTES or VOO?
UTES yields 1.61% while VOO yields 1.04%, so UTES currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than UTES?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VOO is less concentrated, with 37.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 70.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.