VPU ETF — Vanguard Utilities ETF

Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU)

VPU is a low-cost ETF that tracks the MSCI US Investable Market Utilities 25/50 Index. As of August 28, 2026, its distribution rate is 2.82%, its trailing-12-month yield is 2.80%, its expense ratio is 0.09%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 100/100 (Safe). Fund total return is 674.1% over the past 22.6 years, 249.9 points behind SPY at 924.0%.

At the current 2.82% distribution rate, a $10,000 investment would generate approximately $282 per year, or $23.50 per month on an equivalent basis. Actual quarterly payments vary.

Vanguard Utilities ETF is an ETF that tracks the MSCI US Investable Market Utilities 25/50 Index, holding a broad range of large, mid-size, and small U.S. companies in the utilities sector weighted to match the index. The fund offers a modest current distribution rate with quarterly distributions and carries a low expense ratio of 0.09%. It appeals to income-focused investors seeking broad exposure to the utilities sector with minimal fees.

VPU performance versus SPY

Data as of August 28, 2026.

Fund total return is 674.1% over the past 22.6 years, 249.9 points behind SPY at 924.0%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 8.9%.

VPU key facts

Data as of August 28, 2026.

Distribution Safety Score™

100 · Safe

Safety-Adjusted Yield

2.82%

Issuer

Vanguard

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Equity

Inception date

01/26/2004

Expense ratio

0.09%

Distribution rate

2.82%

Distribution frequency

Quarterly

Trailing yield

2.80%

Last close

$184.76

AUM

$8,375,723,583

Market cap

$5,347,119,104

Average volume

297900.0

Last dividend

$1.3010

Ex-dividend date

06/24/2026

Payment date

06/26/2026

Beta

0.51

P/E ratio

19.4408

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (2.82%) is the latest regular payout annualized by the fund's stated frequency, divided by the last close. Issuers often publish this as “Distribution Rate” on the fact sheet. Trailing-12-month yield (2.80%) is the sum of distributions paid in the last 12 months, split-adjusted, divided by the last close. It lags a recent raise or cut. We show a 30-day SEC yield when the fund publishes one. Schwab and other issuers may report a TTM distribution yield or SEC yield on a different date — all can be valid; they are not interchangeable. Fund total return uses split-adjusted close with distributions reinvested from the first stored bar on or after inception through the latest bar, compared with the same window on the benchmark. That is what the fund did, not your personal gain/loss. Figures below use Dividend Vision data as of August 28, 2026.

Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology · SEC yield

Sources and review

Data as of August 28, 2026.

Primary sources: Vanguard fund page; Index: MSCI US Investable Market Utilities 25/50 Index; 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.

VPU risks and drawbacks

VPU'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 8.9%.

Who may consider VPU — and who may not

VPU may suit someone looking for low-cost broad dividend exposure, a high Distribution Safety Score, moderate current income with a quality tilt. It is a weaker fit for investors who need monthly cash flow (VPU 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.

Compare VPU

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Frequently asked questions

More funds from Vanguard.