VPU vs XLU
Vanguard Utilities Index Fund ETF Shares compared with State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF on yield, payout growth, payment schedule, cost and risk.
VPU
Vanguard Utilities Index Fund ETF Shares
TTM yield · Quarterly
XLU
State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF
TTM yield · Quarterly
Quick take
- VPU yields more today: 2.77% vs 2.61% (forward).
- VPU has grown its payout faster: 4.3%/yr vs 3.9%/yr over the last 5 years.
- Both pay every quarter.
- XLU has the longer streak of annual increases: 7 years vs 1.
- Over the last year XLU delivered the higher total return: +5.9% vs +5.8% (price change plus payouts).
- XLU is cheaper to own: 0.08% vs 0.09% expense ratio.
Generated from the latest data on both pages. Not a recommendation.
Side by side
| Metric | VPU | XLU |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $188.09 | $43.45 |
| TTM yield | 2.75% | 2.75% |
| Forward yield | 2.77% | 2.61% |
| Annual payout per share | $5.204 | $1.136 |
| Payment frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Next ex-date | Sep 23, 2026 (est.) | Sep 21, 2026 (est.) |
| Expense ratio | 0.09% | 0.08% |
| 1-year payout growth | +2.5% | +4.9% |
| 5-year payout CAGR | +4.3% | +3.9% |
| Consecutive years of increases | 1 year | 7 years |
| Payout consistency (last 12) | 95/100 | 93/100 |
| 1-year total return | +5.8% | +5.9% |
| 1-year price return | +3.0% | +3.1% |
| Size (market cap / AUM) | 10.2B | 21.8B |
| Years paying | 21.7 | 27.5 |
| Sector / category | Utilities | Utilities |
✓ marks the more favourable figure where one exists (higher yield, growth, streak, consistency, return and size; lower cost, payout ratio and risk).
$10,000 invested today
| VPU | XLU | |
|---|---|---|
| Shares | 53.2 | 230.1 |
| Income per year | $277 | $261 |
| Income per month (avg) | $23 | $22 |
Next payments
| Ex-date | Pay date | Per share | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| VPU Sep 23, 2026 | Oct 7, 2026 | $1.301 | Est. |
| VPU Dec 23, 2026 | Jan 6, 2027 | $1.301 | Est. |
| VPU Mar 24, 2027 | Apr 7, 2027 | $1.301 | Est. |
| XLU Sep 21, 2026 | Oct 5, 2026 | $0.284 | Est. |
| XLU Dec 21, 2026 | Jan 4, 2027 | $0.284 | Est. |
| XLU Mar 22, 2027 | Apr 5, 2027 | $0.284 | Est. |
Annual payouts per share
VPUXLU
Regular payments only; the current year is year to date. Per-share amounts are not directly comparable when share prices differ, so read this chart for growth trends.
FAQ
Which has the higher dividend yield, VPU or XLU?
XLU currently has the higher trailing yield: VPU yields 2.75% and XLU yields 2.75%. Yield changes daily with price, so check the live figures above.
How often do VPU and XLU pay?
VPU pays every quarter and XLU pays every quarter. VPU's next ex-date is Sep 23, 2026 and XLU's is Sep 21, 2026.
Which has grown its dividend faster, VPU or XLU?
VPU has grown its payout faster: 4.3%/yr vs 3.9%/yr over the last 5 years.
Is VPU or XLU better for income?
It depends on what you are optimising for. VPU and XLU differ in yield, growth, payment schedule and risk profile; the table above puts every metric side by side so you can weigh them for your own goals. This page is data, not advice.