ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.
Vanguard is known for offering low-cost, passively managed ETFs that emphasize broad market exposure and long-term investing. The company operates 175 ETFs across diverse fund families including Index, Bond, Equity, Dividend, Income, International, Factor, and ESG strategies, serving investors with various goals from core portfolio building to specialized income generation. Notable for its scale and popular tickers like VB (total U.S. small-cap), BND (total bond market), and VBIAX (international bonds), Vanguard focuses on providing comprehensive, index-based investment solutions with an emphasis on cost efficiency and accessibility.
See our curated list of related YouTube videos on VPU.
ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.
State Street Global Advisors (SSGA) is one of the largest ETF providers globally, known for its flagship SPDR suite of exchange-traded products that serve both institutional and retail investors across a broad range of asset classes. Their 88-fund lineup spans diverse strategies including sector exposure (Select Sector SPDR), income generation (Income and Select Sector SPDR Premium Income families), commodities (including the widely-held GLD gold ETF), bonds, ESG-focused investments, and thematic allocations, with popular tickers like DIA (Diamonds Trust), FEZ (Eurozone exposure), and JNK (high-yield bonds) among their most recognized funds. The issuer is characterized by its comprehensive coverage across multiple market segments and its emphasis on both traditional index-based products and specialized strategies like covered call income funds and factor-based investing.
See our curated list of related YouTube videos on XLU.
Tracks the MSCI US Investable Market Utilities 25/50 Index.
Seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Utilities Select Sector Index.
Asset class
Equity
Equity
Inception date
01/26/2004
12/16/1998
Beta
0.5
0.49
Last dividend
$1.3010
$0.2840
Ex-dividend date
06/24/2026
09/21/2026
Bottom lineVPU and XLU are nearly interchangeable — both offer very similar exposure with very similar cost and risk. The clearest tie-breaker is cost: XLU is cheaper at 0.09% vs 0.10%.
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Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.
Total returns
VPU has lagged XLU over the trailing twelve months, posting a 13.34% total return against 13.47%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: XLU has compounded at 9.16% a year, against 9.00% for VPU. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.
Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date, split-adjusted, as of July 14, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; longer windows are annualized. “Since Jan 2004” measures every fund from January 30, 2004 — the youngest fund's first trading day — so all funds share one comparison window. Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily total returns over the trailing 3 years. Sharpe and Sortino divide the annualized return in excess of the risk-free rate by, respectively, that volatility and the downside deviation (both over the trailing 3 years) — higher is better. Max drawdown is the largest peak-to-trough total-return decline over the same window — shallower is better.
Quick verdict
VPU (Vanguard Utilities ETF) and XLU (Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund) are both quarterly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.
VPU offers the higher yield at 2.64% vs 2.49% for XLU. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.
XLU is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.09% compared to 0.10%.
They track different benchmarks: VPU is linked to MSCI US Investable Market Utilities 25/50 Index while XLU tracks Utilities Select Sector Index, which means their performance drivers differ.
XLU is the larger fund by assets ($22.6B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.
Deep dive
Yield & income
On a $10,000 investment, VPU would generate roughly $22.00/month, while XLU would produce $20.75/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.
VPU yield2.64%
XLU yield2.49%
Monthly diff on $10K$1.25
Cost & efficiency
Over 10 years on $10,000, VPU would cost approximately $100 in fees vs $90 for XLU (simplified, not compounded). The $10.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.
VPU ER0.10%
XLU ER0.09%
Strategy & risk
VPU tracks MSCI US Investable Market Utilities 25/50 Index, while XLU tracks Utilities Select Sector Index with an utilities approach. Beta is 0.5 for VPU and 0.49 for XLU, indicating XLU is less volatile relative to the market.
VPU beta0.5
XLU beta0.49
Fund details
VPU is managed by Vanguard (launched 01/26/2004) with $8.52B in assets. XLU is managed by State Street (launched 12/16/1998) with $22.6B in assets.
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Frequently asked questions
Is VPU or XLU better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. VPU currently offers the higher distribution yield, which means more income per dollar invested. However, a lower-yield fund may offer better total return or lower volatility. Consider your time horizon and risk tolerance.
What is the difference between VPU and XLU?
VPU (Vanguard Utilities ETF) tracks MSCI US Investable Market Utilities 25/50 Index, while XLU (Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund) tracks Utilities Select Sector Index with an utilities approach. They are issued by Vanguard and State Street respectively.
Can I hold both VPU and XLU?
Yes — nothing prevents holding both. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on how much the underlying exposures overlap, which isn't fully measurable from the data on this page; review each security's holdings, sector, and strategy before treating them as complementary.
Which has lower fees, VPU or XLU?
VPU has an expense ratio of 0.10% while XLU charges 0.09%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.
How much income does $10,000 in VPU vs XLU generate?
At current rates, $10,000 in VPU would generate roughly $22.00 per month ($264.00 annually). The same in XLU would produce about $20.75 per month ($249.00 annually).
Which has performed better historically, VPU or XLU?
VPU has lagged XLU over the trailing twelve months, posting a 13.34% total return against 13.47%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: XLU has compounded at 9.16% a year, against 9.00% for VPU. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
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