UTES ETF — Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF

Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF (UTES)

Updated October 16, 2026.

UTES is an ETF. its distribution rate is 1.36%, its trailing-12-month yield is 1.61%, its expense ratio is 0.49%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 88/100 (Safe). Total return is 284.9% over the past 11.1 years, 88.4 points behind SPY at 373.3%.

Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF is an ETF that invests at least 80% of its assets in equity securities of utility companies—those deriving at least half their revenues from generating or distributing electricity, gas, or water. The fund distributes quarterly with a modest current distribution rate and carries an expense ratio of 0.49%. It appeals to income-focused investors seeking exposure to the utilities sector, which typically provides steady dividend income.

UTES performance versus SPY

Price and return data through 2026-10-16.

Total return is 284.9% over the past 11.1 years, 88.4 points behind SPY at 373.3%. Over the past year its total return — price change plus distributions reinvested — is -10.9%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 18.4%.

UTES key facts

Distribution Safety Score™

88 · Safe

Safety-Adjusted Yield

1.20%

Issuer

Virtus Investment Partners

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Equity

Inception date

09/23/2015

Expense ratio

0.49%

Distribution rate

1.36%

Distribution frequency

Quarterly

Trailing yield

1.61%

Last close

$76.20 (as of 2026-10-16)

AUM

$1,187,543,539

Average volume

201046.0

Dividend

$0.26

Ex-dividend date

09/21/2026

Payment date

09/28/2026

Beta

0.73

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (1.36%) uses calculation basis unavailable. Issuer rates can use a different denominator and date, including ex-date NAV. Trailing-12-month yield (1.61%) is the sum of split-adjusted cash distributions with ex-dates in the last 12 months, divided by the published price. It lags a recent raise or cut. Total return uses split-adjusted close with distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date) from the first stored bar on or after inception through the latest bar, compared with the same window on the benchmark. That is the security's total return, not your personal gain/loss.

Yield and safety methodology · Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology

Sources and review

Primary sources: Virtus Investment Partners; prices and distributions from Dividend Vision, derived from vendor EOD data.

Reviewed by Bert Sweet, CEO and Co-owner of Dividend Vision. Methodology: Distribution Safety Score.

UTES risks and drawbacks

UTES's current distribution rate is moderate, not a high-yield payout — the strategy is dividend quality more than maximum income. Payments are quarterly, so cash flow is lumpy versus a monthly fund. Total return has trailed SPY over the available window. The deepest 1-year drawdown on record here is 18.4%.

Who may consider UTES — and who may not

UTES may suit someone looking for a high Distribution Safety Score. It is a weaker fit for investors who need monthly cash flow (UTES pays quarterly); investors hunting double-digit covered-call yields; investors whose main goal is matching SPY total return. This is educational context, not a recommendation to buy or sell.

More on UTES

• All tickers starting with U

Tagged: Utilities.

Frequently asked questions

More securities from Virtus Investment Partners.