Dividend comparison
VPU vs FUTY: Which Is Better?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for Vanguard Utilities ETF and Fidelity MSCI Utilities Index ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
VPU vs FUTY: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Fees. FUTY is cheaper at 0.08% a year versus 0.09% for VPU. On $10,000 that is $1 a year less in fees.
- Income. Their trailing yields are almost the same: 2.87% for VPU and 2.83% for FUTY. Both pay quarterly.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, VPU returned 40.3% versus 39.7% for FUTY, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $14,032 in VPU and $13,968 in FUTY.
- Risk. Their worst declines over the last 5 years were similar: -25.1% for VPU and -25.1% for FUTY from peak to trough.
- Diversification. VPU holds 69 positions and FUTY holds 67. The ten largest positions make up 52.3% of VPU and 52.7% of FUTY.
- Overlap. 98% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 63 shared holdings. Owning both adds little diversification.
- Dividend growth. VPU grew its yearly payout 4.5% a year over the last 4 years, versus 4.2% for FUTY.
- Size. VPU is the larger fund with $9.5 billion in assets, against $2.0 billion for FUTY.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
| Metric | VPU Vanguard Utilities ETF | FUTY Fidelity MSCI Utilities Index ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 2.87% | 2.83% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $5.20 | $1.53 |
| Payout frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Last dividend | $1.2580 on Sep 25, 2026 | $0.3910 on Sep 22, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Sep 23, 2026 | Sep 18, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 4.5% over 4 yrs | 4.2% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $181.04 | $54.03 |
| Dividend growth streak | 4 years | 3 years |
| Beta | 0.50 | 0.50 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -25.1% | -25.1% |
| Market cap | $9.50B | $2.03B |
| Exchange | AMEX | AMEX |
| Expense ratio | 0.09% | 0.08% |
| Assets under management | $9.50B | $2.03B |
| Number of holdings | 69 | 67 |
| Top 10 concentration | 52.3% | 52.7% |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
VPU
$23.93/mo
$287 /yr at 2.87% yield
FUTY
$23.60/mo
$283 /yr at 2.83% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. VPU pays quarterly; FUTY pays quarterly.
| Year | VPU | FUTY |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $5.0438 | $1.4720 |
| 2024 | $4.9281 | $1.4420 |
| 2023 | $4.7793 | $1.3510 |
| 2022 | $4.5773 | $1.2400 |
| 2021 | $4.2234 | $1.2500 |
Strategy: Sector and thematic
Funds that hold a single industry or theme, such as technology, semiconductors, healthcare or energy. Funds covering the same sector can still differ in concentration rules: some cap the largest positions while others let the biggest companies take a quarter of the fund. Sector funds are usually used to tilt a portfolio rather than as its core.
A single sector can fall far further than the broad market and stay down for years, and the largest names often dominate the fund.
Performance
Total returns with dividends reinvested, from the adjusted closing price series. $10,000 invested on Oct 20, 2021 would now be worth $14,032 in VPU and $13,968 in FUTY.
| Period | VPU | FUTY |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | 1.72% | 2.43% |
| 3 months | -7.26% | -7.29% |
| Year to date | -2.16% | -2.16% |
| 1 year | -8.92% | -8.78% |
| 3 years | 53.67% | 53.80% |
| 5 years | 40.32% | 39.68% |
- VPU
- FUTY
Both series indexed to 100 on 2021-10-20 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Sector allocation
Weight of each sector within the fund. Sectors are aligned on the same row so the two funds can be read against each other directly.
- VPU
- FUTY
VPU vs FUTY holdings overlap
98% overlap by weight, with 63 holdings in common. Overlap adds up the smaller of the two weights for every stock both funds own, so 100% would mean identical portfolios.
| Largest shared holdings | VPU weight | FUTY weight |
|---|---|---|
| NEENextEra Energy Inc | 11.39% | 11.30% |
| SOSouthern Co/The | 6.74% | 6.98% |
| DUKDuke Energy Corp | 6.41% | 6.45% |
| CEGConstellation Energy Corp | 5.73% | 5.70% |
| AEPAmerican Electric Power Co Inc | 4.66% | 4.71% |
| DDominion Energy Inc | 3.84% | 3.79% |
| SRESempra | 3.68% | 3.70% |
| VSTVistra Corp | 3.36% | 3.50% |
| ETREntergy Corp | 3.34% | 3.36% |
| XELXcel Energy Inc | 3.17% | 3.25% |
Top 10 holdings
Largest positions by portfolio weight.
VPU69 holdings total
Quick verdict
VPU currently posts the higher TTM yield (2.87%). VPU yields 2.87%; FUTY yields 2.83%. Choose based on whether you prioritize current cash flow, dividend growth, or total return — then model the holding inside your real portfolio.
Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
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Frequently asked questions
Is VPU or FUTY better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. VPU currently yields 2.87% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while FUTY yields 2.83%. Higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, but may come with different risk, growth, or NAV characteristics. Compare total return and payout sustainability — not just the headline yield.
What is the difference between VPU and FUTY?
Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) is an ETF listed on AMEX. Fidelity MSCI Utilities Index ETF (FUTY) is an ETF listed on AMEX. Side-by-side metrics on this page cover yield, fees, returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history when available.
Which is cheaper, VPU or FUTY?
FUTY has the lower expense ratio. VPU charges 0.09% a year and FUTY charges 0.08%, a difference of $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which has performed better, VPU or FUTY?
Over the last 5 years, VPU has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: VPU returned 40.3% and FUTY returned 39.7%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, VPU or FUTY?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, VPU has been riskier: VPU fell as much as 25.1% and FUTY as much as 25.1%. Their betas are 0.50 and 0.50.
How much do VPU and FUTY overlap?
About 98% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 63 shared holdings. The largest shared positions are NEE, SO, DUK. Holding both adds little diversification.
How often do VPU and FUTY pay dividends?
Both pay quarterly. The most recent payments were $1.2580 for VPU and $0.3910 for FUTY.
How much income does $10,000 in VPU vs FUTY generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in VPU would generate roughly $23.93 per month ($287 annually). The same amount in FUTY would produce about $23.60 per month ($283 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both VPU and FUTY?
Yes. Many income investors hold both to diversify strategy or index exposure. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on overlapping holdings and factor exposure. Model both inside Dividend Wealth to see combined income, sector mix, and forecast impact.
Where can I compare VPU vs FUTY with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how VPU and FUTY fit alongside the rest of your portfolio. A 14-day free trial of Standard is available with no credit card required; a limited Free plan is also available.
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For informational and educational purposes only. Not investment advice. Past performance and current yields do not guarantee future results. Verify figures independently before making investment decisions.