VPU vs VTI
Vanguard Utilities ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, VPU or VTI?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% 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 | VPU | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $10.5B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.83% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 68 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -3.14% | +11.06%Best |
| 1Y Return | +0.75% | +15.41%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +11.80% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.31% | +11.52%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.9%Best | 15.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -48.4%Best | -56.6% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,230 | $17,249Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 52.3% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2004 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 30, 2004 to Sep 16, 2026 (22.6 years).
VPU 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 22.6 years both funds cover.
VPU vs VTI Performance
Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VPU returned +0.75% while VTI returned +15.41%. Year to date, VPU is down 3.14% versus a gain of 11.06% for VTI.
Over three years, VPU compounded at +11.80% per year against +20.48% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +7.31% and +11.52% respectively. Across the full 23-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.21% annualized vs +6.60%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.1% compared with 13.9% 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 -48.4% for VPU and -56.6% 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
VPU charges 0.09% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $3 annually, a gap of $6 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VPU currently yields 2.83% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
99.7% of VPU's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 2.1% of VTI's money is in holdings VPU also owns.
Most of VPU is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
67 positions in common, counted across the 69 positions we hold weights for in VPU and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 68 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 69 and 3,463 positions we hold weights for.
VTI holds 1,101 positions VPU does not, 95.3% 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 VPU | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEENextera Energy Inc | 11.82% | 0.25% | 11.57% |
| SOSouthern Co. | 6.95% | 0.15% | 6.80% |
| DUKDuke Energy Corp | 6.36% | 0.14% | 6.22% |
| CEGConstellation Energy Corporation Com | 5.28% | 0.12% | 5.16% |
| AEPAmerican Electric Power Co Inc | 4.53% | 0.10% | 4.43% |
| DDominion Energy Inc. | 3.96% | 0.08% | 3.88% |
| SRESempra Common Stock | 3.77% | 0.08% | 3.69% |
| VSTVistra Energy Corp. | 3.27% | 0.07% | 3.20% |
| ETREntergy Corp. | 3.21% | 0.07% | 3.14% |
| XELXcel Energy Inc. | 3.18% | 0.07% | 3.11% |
99.7% of VPU 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, VPU or VTI?
VPU has an expense ratio of 0.09% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $6 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VPU or VTI?
Over the past year VPU returned +0.75% vs +15.41% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (23 years), VPU annualized +6.60% vs +9.21% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VPU or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 15.1% annualized versus 13.9% for VPU. Worst drawdown: VPU -48.4% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both VPU and VTI?
VPU 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 VPU and VTI?
99.7% of VPU's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 2.1% of VTI's is in holdings VPU also owns. They hold 67 positions in common, counted across the 69 positions we hold weights for in VPU and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, VPU or VTI?
VPU yields 2.83% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VPU currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than VPU?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% 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.