UTES vs VYM
Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, UTES or VYM?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. UTES led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% 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 | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $1.2B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.61% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 19 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -10.64% | +11.47%Best |
| 1Y Return | -12.95% | +15.94%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.73%Best | +18.03% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.77%Best | +12.35% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.2% | 14.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -35.7%Tie | -35.7%Tie |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,238Best | $17,901 |
| Top 10 Weight | 70.3% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Virtus Investment Partners | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 23, 2015 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 24, 2015 to Sep 21, 2026 (11 years).
UTES vs VYM 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 VYM Performance
Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF (UTES) is an ETF from Virtus Investment Partners and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year UTES returned -12.95% while VYM returned +15.94%. Year to date, UTES is down 10.64% versus a gain of 11.47% for VYM.
Over three years, UTES compounded at +18.73% per year against +18.03% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +12.77% and +12.35% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, UTES has the edge at +11.04% annualized vs +10.51%.
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 14.0% for VYM. 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 -35.7% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.53. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
UTES charges 0.49% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $49 vs $4 annually, a gap of $45 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, UTES currently yields 1.61% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
67.0% of UTES's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 2.4% of VYM's money is in holdings UTES also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
15 positions in common, counted across the 18 positions we hold weights for in UTES and 557 in VYM, against full books of 19 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 18 and 557 positions we hold weights for.
VYM holds 513 positions UTES does not, 94.6% of the fund.
Largest: AVGO 7.35%, JPM 3.82%, XOM 2.63%, JNJ 2.51%, CSCO 1.86%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in UTES | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| XELXcel Energy Inc. | 7.16% | 0.20% | 6.96% |
| CNPCenterpoint Energy Inc. | 6.55% | 0.11% | 6.44% |
| AEPAmerican Electric Power Co Inc | 4.81% | 0.28% | 4.53% |
| ETREntergy Corp. | 4.87% | 0.20% | 4.67% |
| NINisource Inc. | 4.82% | 0.09% | 4.73% |
| LNTAlliant Energy Corp. | 4.74% | 0.07% | 4.67% |
| NEENextera Energy Inc | 4.03% | 0.74% | 3.29% |
| IDAIdacorp Inc Ida | 4.58% | 0.03% | 4.55% |
| WECWec Energy Group Inc. | 4.35% | 0.14% | 4.21% |
| AEEAmeren Corporation Utilities | 4.03% | 0.12% | 3.91% |
67.0% of UTES is already inside VYM.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, UTES or VYM?
UTES has an expense ratio of 0.49% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $45 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, UTES or VYM?
Over the past year UTES returned -12.95% vs +15.94% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), UTES annualized +11.04% vs +10.51% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, UTES or VYM?
UTES has been the more volatile fund at 16.2% annualized versus 14.0% for VYM. Worst drawdown: UTES -35.7% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both UTES and VYM?
UTES and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.53, 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 VYM?
67.0% of UTES's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 2.4% of VYM's is in holdings UTES also owns. They hold 15 positions in common, counted across the 18 positions we hold weights for in UTES and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, UTES or VYM?
UTES yields 1.61% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than UTES?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. UTES led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% 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.