VOO vs VPU
Vanguard S&P 500 ETF vs Vanguard Utilities ETF
Which is better, VOO or VPU?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
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 52.3%.
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 | VOO | VPU |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.09% |
| AUM | $997.4B | $10.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.04% | 2.83% |
| Holdings | 509 | 68 |
| YTD Return | +12.25%Best | -2.34% |
| 1Y Return | +17.03%Best | +1.26% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.25%Best | +12.10% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.08%Best | +7.78% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.1% | 14.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -34.3%Best | -36.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,490Best | $14,544 |
| Top 10 Weight | 37.6%Best | 52.3% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 7, 2010 | Jan 26, 2004 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 9, 2010 to Sep 17, 2026 (16 years).
VOO vs VPU 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 16 years both funds cover.
VOO vs VPU Performance
Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VOO returned +17.03% while VPU returned +1.26%. Year to date, VOO is up 12.25% versus a loss of 2.34% for VPU.
Over three years, VOO compounded at +21.25% per year against +12.10% for VPU; over five years the annualized figures are +13.08% and +7.78% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +13.38% annualized vs +7.54%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VOO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.1% compared with 14.0% for VPU. 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 -34.3% for VOO and -36.8% for VPU. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.45. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VOO charges 0.03% per year while VPU charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $9 annually, a gap of $6 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VOO currently yields 1.04% against 2.83% for VPU.
Holdings Overlap
2.2% of VOO's money is in holdings VPU also owns. 90.3% of VPU's money is in holdings VOO also owns.
Most of VPU is already inside VOO. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
32 positions in common, counted across the 494 positions we hold weights for in VOO and 69 in VPU, against full books of 509 and 68.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 494 and 69 positions we hold weights for.
VOO holds 455 positions VPU does not, 97.0% 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 VOO | Weight in VPU | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEENextera Energy Inc | 0.28% | 11.82% | 11.54% |
| SOSouthern Co. | 0.17% | 6.95% | 6.78% |
| DUKDuke Energy Corp | 0.15% | 6.36% | 6.21% |
| CEGConstellation Energy Corporation Com | 0.13% | 5.28% | 5.15% |
| AEPAmerican Electric Power Co Inc | 0.11% | 4.53% | 4.42% |
| DDominion Energy Inc. | 0.09% | 3.96% | 3.87% |
| SRESempra Common Stock | 0.09% | 3.77% | 3.68% |
| VSTVistra Energy Corp. | 0.07% | 3.27% | 3.20% |
| ETREntergy Corp. | 0.08% | 3.21% | 3.13% |
| XELXcel Energy Inc. | 0.08% | 3.18% | 3.10% |
90.3% of VPU 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, VOO or VPU?
VOO has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VPU charges 0.09%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $6 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VOO or VPU?
Over the past year VOO returned +17.03% vs +1.26% for VPU, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), VOO annualized +13.38% vs +7.54% for VPU. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VOO or VPU?
VOO has been the more volatile fund at 14.1% annualized versus 14.0% for VPU. Worst drawdown: VOO -34.3% vs VPU -36.8%.
Should I hold both VOO and VPU?
VOO and VPU have a monthly-return correlation of 0.45, 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 VOO and VPU?
90.3% of VPU's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 90.3% of VPU's is in holdings VOO also owns. They hold 32 positions in common, counted across the 494 positions we hold weights for in VOO and 69 in VPU.
Which pays a higher dividend, VOO or VPU?
VOO yields 1.04% while VPU yields 2.83%, so VPU currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VPU better than VOO?
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 52.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.