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Upturn AI SWOT - About
Vanguard Utilities Index Fund ETF Shares (VPU)
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Upturn Advisory Summary
08/12/2025: VPU (1-star) has a low Upturn Star Rating. Not recommended to BUY.
Upturn Star Rating
Not Recommended Performance
These Stocks/ETFs, based on Upturn Advisory, consistently fall short of market performance, signaling caution before investing.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type ETF | Historic Profit 5.29% | Avg. Invested days 40 | Today’s Advisory Consider higher Upturn Star rating |
Upturn Star Rating | Upturn Advisory Performance  2.0 | ETF Returns Performance  2.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 08/12/2025 |
Key Highlights
Volume (30-day avg) - | Beta 0.73 | 52 Weeks Range 142.46 - 178.17 | Updated Date 06/30/2025 |
52 Weeks Range 142.46 - 178.17 | Updated Date 06/30/2025 |
Upturn AI SWOT
Vanguard Utilities Index Fund ETF Shares
ETF Overview
Overview
Vanguard Utilities Index Fund ETF Shares (VPU) seeks to track the investment results of a broad, market-cap-weighted index of stocks in the utilities sector. It offers exposure to U.S. companies that distribute electricity, gas, and water or that operate as independent power producers.
Reputation and Reliability
Vanguard is a well-respected and reliable issuer, known for its low-cost ETFs and strong reputation in the investment management industry.
Management Expertise
Vanguard has a highly experienced management team with a long track record of managing index-based funds effectively.
Investment Objective
Goal
To track the investment results of a broad, market-cap-weighted index of U.S. utilities stocks.
Investment Approach and Strategy
Strategy: Tracks the MSCI US Investable Market Utilities 25/50 Index, using a full replication strategy whenever feasible.
Composition Primarily composed of stocks in the utilities sector, including electric, gas, and water utilities.
Market Position
Market Share: VPU holds a significant market share within the utilities ETF category, reflecting its popularity and Vanguard's strong brand.
Total Net Assets (AUM): 5700000000
Competitors
Key Competitors
- Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU)
- iShares U.S. Utilities ETF (IDU)
- First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund (FXU)
Competitive Landscape
The utilities ETF market is dominated by a few large players. VPU benefits from Vanguard's low-cost structure, while XLU has a larger AUM and is more liquid. IDU provides a slightly different weighting scheme.
Financial Performance
Historical Performance: Historical performance data is dependent on current market information. Please refer to financial data sources such as Bloomberg, Yahoo Finance, or the Vanguard website for up-to-date performance metrics.
Benchmark Comparison: VPU's performance closely tracks its benchmark, the MSCI US Investable Market Utilities 25/50 Index.
Expense Ratio: 0.1
Liquidity
Average Trading Volume
The ETF exhibits good liquidity with a healthy average trading volume, facilitating easy buying and selling.
Bid-Ask Spread
The bid-ask spread is generally tight, indicating efficient trading and lower transaction costs.
Market Dynamics
Market Environment Factors
VPU is influenced by interest rates, regulatory changes affecting the utilities sector, and overall economic growth. The demand for utilities tends to be relatively stable, offering some downside protection.
Growth Trajectory
VPU's growth is correlated with the growth of the utilities sector and investor demand for defensive, income-generating assets. Changes in regulations can impact the holdings and future performance.
Moat and Competitive Advantages
Competitive Edge
VPU's low expense ratio gives it a significant competitive advantage over other utilities ETFs. Vanguard's strong brand and efficient management also contribute to its attractiveness. The fund's broad diversification within the utilities sector reduces company-specific risk. Furthermore, its adherence to a well-defined index strategy provides transparency and predictability, appealing to passive investors.
Risk Analysis
Volatility
VPU generally exhibits lower volatility compared to broader market ETFs, reflecting the defensive nature of the utilities sector.
Market Risk
VPU is subject to interest rate risk, regulatory risk, and sector-specific risks, such as environmental regulations or changes in energy policy.
Investor Profile
Ideal Investor Profile
VPU is suitable for investors seeking stable income, exposure to the utilities sector, and a defensive allocation within a diversified portfolio.
Market Risk
VPU is best for long-term investors seeking passive index exposure and dividend income.
Summary
Vanguard Utilities Index Fund ETF Shares (VPU) provides low-cost exposure to the US utilities sector, making it an ideal option for investors seeking stable income and a defensive position. Backed by Vanguard's reputation, VPU exhibits strong liquidity and tracks its benchmark index closely. While exposed to interest rate and regulatory risks, its lower volatility and broad diversification makes it a valuable addition to any portfolio. It is best suited for long-term investors and those who look for sector specific investments.
Peer Comparison
Sources and Disclaimers
Data Sources:
- Vanguard.com
- Bloomberg
- Yahoo Finance
Disclaimers:
This analysis is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Investment decisions should be based on individual circumstances and consultation with a qualified financial advisor. Market data is subject to change.
AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.
Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.
Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.
AI-generated summaries may have inaccuracies (hallucinations). Please verify the information before taking action.
About Vanguard Utilities Index Fund ETF Shares
Exchange NYSE ARCA | Headquaters - | ||
IPO Launch date - | CEO - | ||
Sector - | Industry - | Full time employees - | Website |
Full time employees - | Website | ||
The fund employs an indexing investment approach designed to track the performance of the index, an index made up of stocks of large, mid-size, and small U.S. companies within the utilities sector, as classified under the GICS. The Advisor attempts to replicate the target index by seeking to invest all, or substantially all, of its assets in the stocks that make up the index, in order to hold each stock in approximately the same proportion as its weighting in the index. The fund is non-diversified.
Note: This website is maintained by Upturn Corporation, which is an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Such registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Investing in securities has risks. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. No assurance is provided as to any particular investment return, and you may lose money using our services. You are strongly advised to consult appropriate counsel before making any investments in companies you learn about through our services. You should obtain appropriate legal, tax, investment, accounting, and other advice that takes into account your investment portfolio and overall financial situation. You are solely responsible for conducting due diligence on a potential investment. We do not affect trades for you. You will select your own broker through which to transact. Investments are not FDIC insured, they are not guaranteed, and they may lose value. Please see the Privacy Policy, Terms of Use, and Disclosure for more information.