UTES vs VTI
Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, UTES or VTI?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. UTES led over 5Y, VTI over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% 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 | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.2B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.61% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 19 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -10.64% | +14.00%Best |
| 1Y Return | -12.95% | +16.88%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.73% | +22.75%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.77%Best | +12.68% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.2% | 15.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -35.7% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,238Best | $18,165 |
| Top 10 Weight | 70.3% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | Virtus Investment Partners | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 23, 2015 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 24, 2015 to Sep 21, 2026 (11 years).
UTES vs VTI 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 VTI Performance
Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF (UTES) is an ETF from Virtus Investment Partners and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year UTES returned -12.95% while VTI returned +16.88%. Year to date, UTES is down 10.64% versus a gain of 14.00% for VTI.
Over three years, UTES compounded at +18.73% per year against +22.75% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +12.77% and +12.68% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.70% 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 15.6% for VTI. 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 -35.0% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.50. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
UTES charges 0.49% per year while VTI 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 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
99.7% of UTES's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.1% of VTI's money is in holdings UTES also owns.
Most of UTES is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
18 positions in common, counted across the 18 positions we hold weights for in UTES and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 19 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 18 and 3,463 positions we hold weights for.
VTI holds 1,132 positions UTES does not, 96.4% of the fund.
Largest: NVDA 6.40%, AAPL 6.29%, MSFT 4.79%, AMZN 3.65%, GOOGL 2.90%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in UTES | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CEGConstellation Energy Corporation Com | 12.53% | 0.12% | 12.41% |
| TLNTalen Energy Corporation | 10.17% | 0.02% | 10.15% |
| VSTVistra Energy Corp. | 10.05% | 0.07% | 9.98% |
| XELXcel Energy Inc. | 7.16% | 0.07% | 7.09% |
| CNPCenterpoint Energy Inc. | 6.55% | 0.04% | 6.51% |
| ETREntergy Corp. | 4.87% | 0.07% | 4.80% |
| AEPAmerican Electric Power Co Inc | 4.81% | 0.10% | 4.71% |
| NINisource Inc. | 4.82% | 0.03% | 4.79% |
| LNTAlliant Energy Corp. | 4.74% | 0.03% | 4.71% |
| IDAIdacorp Inc Ida | 4.58% | 0.01% | 4.57% |
99.7% of UTES is already inside VTI.
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 VTI?
UTES has an expense ratio of 0.49% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $46 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, UTES or VTI?
Over the past year UTES returned -12.95% vs +16.88% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), UTES annualized +11.04% vs +13.70% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, UTES or VTI?
UTES has been the more volatile fund at 16.2% annualized versus 15.6% for VTI. Worst drawdown: UTES -35.7% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both UTES and VTI?
UTES and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.50, 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 VTI?
99.7% of UTES's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.1% of VTI's is in holdings UTES also owns. They hold 18 positions in common, counted across the 18 positions we hold weights for in UTES and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, UTES or VTI?
UTES yields 1.61% while VTI yields 1.03%, so UTES currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than UTES?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. UTES led over 5Y, VTI over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% 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.