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As of September 16, 2026, Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) trades at $178.82. RSI at 29 is in oversold territory, and the price is below its 50-day average of $190.45.

Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU)

Vanguard Utilities ETF NYSE

$178.82 -1.950 (-1.08%)
At close: Sep 15, 4:00 PM EDT
AI Analyst Consensus
Buy
70 / 100
Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) offers focused exposure to the U.S. utilities sector, encompassing electric, gas, and water companies. The fund's strategy aims to track an index of large, mid, and small-cap utility operators, including those in power generation and transmission. This concentration in a defensive sector, which provides essential services, positions it as a potential income-oriented investment. Despite its sector focus, VPU has underperformed its category year-to-date and over the past year, suggesting current headwinds for the utilities space.

VPU Price Analysis

Market Metrics

Open
$181.23
Day Range
$178.72 to $181.26
Prev Close
$180.77
Volume
1.89M
52-Week Range
$178.51 to $206.10
Market Cap
$5.35B

VPU Fund Facts

Vanguard Utilities ETF is an exchange-traded fund that provides diversified exposure to the U.S. utilities sector. The fund seeks to track the performance of an index composed of large-, mid-, and small-capitalization utility companies, including electric, gas, water, and independent power businesses. Its portfolio typically includes regulated and competitive utility operators, along with related energy infrastructure names, making it a focused way to access an essential services segment of the market.

Issuer
Vanguard
Category
Utilities
Inception
Jan 26, 2004
Expense ratio
0.09%
Net assets
$10.08B
NAV
$185.85
Distribution yield
2.83%
YTD return
0.13%
Turnover
6.00%

Sector weights

Utilities 99.3%

Trailing returns vs category

Period VPU Category
YTD 0.13% 12.44%
1 month -4.41% 3.15%
3 months -4.55% 9.48%
1 year 2.75% 24.77%
3 years 13.68% 15.27%
5 years 7.34% 10.64%
10 years 8.79% 9.94%

Fund reference data as of Sep 16, 2026. Expense ratio and net assets are reported by the fund; returns are total returns and can differ from price change.

VPU Analysis

AI Technical Analysis Buy
Vanguard Utilities ETF is currently trading below its 50-day and 200-day moving averages ($190.45 and $193.09), with its price also below the 20-day exponential moving average. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is at 29.19, indicating oversold conditions. The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) is negative, suggesting bearish momentum. These technical indicators collectively point to a strong downtrend, but the oversold RSI may signal a potential short-term reversal.
ProTips
  • Consider VPU for its defensive sector exposure and low expense ratio.
  • Monitor sector rotation and interest rate movements as key drivers for VPU's performance.
  • The current oversold technicals suggest a potential entry point for short-term traders anticipating a bounce.
  • Compare VPU's long-term performance against its category to assess its strategic value.
Market Outlook
The outlook for Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) is cautiously optimistic, leaning on its oversold technical conditions. While the sector has faced headwinds, leading to significant underperformance against its category, the current RSI suggests a potential for a rebound. A 6-12 month forecast would depend on a broader market rotation back into defensive sectors or a stabilization of interest rate expectations. If VPU can reclaim its key moving averages, particularly the 20-day EMA, it could signal a shift in momentum. However, continued sector weakness or rising rates could prolong the current downtrend.

Market Correlations

How this etf moves relative to other assets

Based on 1 year of daily price data. Correlations may vary over different time periods.

S&P 500 (SPY) +0.34
Weak correlation
Nasdaq 100 (QQQ) +0.22
Weak correlation
Bitcoin (BTC) +0.07
Weak correlation
Gold (XAU) +0.15
Weak correlation
Check Custom Correlation

How does any other asset move with VPU? One year of daily closes, Pearson correlation.

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Key Statistics

Net Assets (Market Cap) 5.35B
Yield 2.89%
Day High $181.26
Day Low $178.72
52 Week High 206.10
52 Week Low 178.51
Vanguard Utilities ETF is heavily concentrated in the Utilities sector, holding 99.32% in stocks within this industry. The fund's expense ratio is a low 0.09%, costing investors $9.00 per $10,000 invested. With net assets of over $10 billion, VPU is a substantial fund. The sector's defensive nature typically appeals to investors seeking stability and income, though recent performance data shows it lagging its category. The fund's low turnover rate of 6% suggests a buy-and-hold strategy for its underlying holdings.

Earnings & Growth Analysis

The underlying utilities sector is generally characterized by stable, albeit slower, earnings growth compared to other sectors. Companies within the utilities space often operate under regulated frameworks, providing predictable revenue streams. However, recent trailing returns indicate that the sector, and by extension VPU, has experienced a downturn relative to its category, suggesting potential pressure on the earnings of its constituents or a broader market rotation away from defensive sectors.

Key Risks

The primary risk for VPU lies in its high sector concentration, with nearly all assets in Utilities. This makes the fund vulnerable to sector-specific downturns, regulatory changes impacting utility providers, or shifts in interest rate policy that can affect dividend-paying stocks. Additionally, the significant underperformance against its category over multiple periods suggests potential fundamental challenges within the utilities sector that could persist.

Technical Indicators i

RSI (14) 29.19
MACD -2.36
SMA 50 190.45
SMA 200 193.09
Technical Rating Bearish
RSI
Oversold
SMA Cross
Bearish
Price vs SMA
Bearish
MACD
Bearish
Moving averages show a lagging Death Cross (50-day: $190.45, 200-day: $193.09), price is trading below the 50-day SMA, RSI at 29.2 suggests oversold conditions; potential bounce setup.

VPU Trade Plans

Specific entry, exit, and risk management levels

Select Your Trade Bias
Risk Tolerance
Conservative 2% Aggressive
Portfolio Value
$
Position Size: Enter portfolio size →

Long entry pick an entry style

Conservative
$175.24
2% below current price (Pullback entry)
Lower risk, wait for pullback
Aggressive
$178.82
Buy at current price
Higher risk, immediate entry

Risk Management

STOP LOSS
$169.46
MAX LOSS
-3.3%
Volatility-Adjusted Stop Loss
Calculated based on RSI (29.2) and current market volatility

Profit Targets (Based on Conservative Entry)

TARGET 1
$184.01
+5% (Conservative)
+2.9% (Aggressive)
TARGET 2
$192.77
+10% (Conservative)
+7.8% (Aggressive)
TARGET 3
$201.53
+15% (Conservative)
+12.7% (Aggressive)
Consider scaling out: Take 50% profit at Target 1, 30% at Target 2, let 20% run to Target 3
ETF Investment Disclaimer
This AI-generated analysis of VPU is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. ETFs are subject to market risk including possible loss of principal. Performance depends on the underlying index or assets tracked. Read the fund prospectus before investing. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Generated on September 16, 2026.

Growth of $10,000

A $10,000 investment in VPU in September 2016 would be worth about $16,519 today, compared with about $35,497 for the same investment in the S&P 500 benchmark.

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Monte Carlo Projection (10yr)

CleaRank's 10-year Monte Carlo simulation projects that a $10,000 investment in VPU today could grow to about $18,075 by 2036 in the base case, with a bull case near $39,314 and a bear case around $8,310. Projections are statistical simulations, not guarantees.

VPU ETF Price Prediction: 2030

CleaRank's simulation projects a price near $227 for VPU by 2030 in the base case, from $179 today (1.3x over 4 years). The downside path ends near $139. These are outcomes of a Monte Carlo simulation run on VPU's historical return distribution, not price targets, and they assume no dividends are reinvested.

VPU simulated price paths by year
Year Downside (10th pct) Base case Upside (90th pct)
2027 $148 $190 $243
2028 $142 $201 $285
2029 $140 $214 $327
2030 $139 $227 $370
2031 $139 $240 $416
2032 $140 $255 $466
2033 $141 $271 $518
2034 $143 $287 $575
2035 $146 $305 $637
2036 $149 $323 $703

Method: 10,000 simulated price paths using VPU's historical volatility and drift, re-run daily. The base case is the median path; the two outer columns are the 10th and 90th percentile outcomes, which widen with time because uncertainty compounds. Simulations are not guarantees, and past volatility does not predict future returns. This is analysis, not investment advice.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the expense ratio for the Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU)?
The Vanguard Utilities ETF has a very low expense ratio of 0.09%, which translates to a cost of $9.00 per $10,000 invested annually.
What sectors does the Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) hold?
The Vanguard Utilities ETF is highly concentrated in the Utilities sector, with 99.30% of its assets allocated to this industry. This includes companies involved in electric, gas, and water services, as well as power generation.
What is the current distribution yield for VPU?
The Vanguard Utilities ETF currently offers a distribution yield of 2.89%.
How has VPU performed against its category over the past year?
Over the past year, VPU returned 2.75% while its category returned 24.77%, indicating significant underperformance.
What is the price prediction for VPU ETF in 2030?
Based on a Monte Carlo simulation, the base case price prediction for VPU ETF in 2030 is $226.59. The simulation also indicates a downside price of $138.62 and an upside price of $370.41, representing statistical outcomes, not guarantees.
What are the key technical indicators for VPU?
VPU is currently showing oversold conditions with an RSI at 29.2. It is trading below its 50-day, 200-day, and 20-day exponential moving averages, suggesting a bearish trend.
What are the main risks associated with investing in VPU?
The primary risks include high sector concentration in Utilities, vulnerability to regulatory changes, interest rate sensitivity, and the recent trend of underperformance relative to its category.

Disclaimer: CleaRank.com is a financial data and analytics provider, not a registered investment advisor, broker-dealer, or financial regulatory body. The ETF analysis and AI-generated insights presented for VPU are for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute financial advice, investment recommendations, or an offer to buy or sell any securities. ETFs are subject to market risk, including the possible loss of principal. ETF performance depends on the underlying index or assets it tracks, and past performance does not guarantee future results. Expense ratios, tracking error, and liquidity vary by fund. All trade setups and performance metrics shown are hypothetical, hindsight-based, and simulated. Market data is provided "as-is" and may be delayed by 15 minutes or more. Investors should read the fund prospectus carefully before investing. Consult a qualified financial advisor for personalized guidance. Analysis generated on September 16, 2026.

Disclaimer:

Engaging in financial markets carries significant risk of total capital loss. Markets are volatile, unpredictable, and past success does not guarantee future results. Never invest funds you cannot afford to lose. CleaRank does not offer financial, investment, or advisory services. We provide no recommendations, endorsements, or guarantees regarding market outcomes. You alone are responsible for your decisions.

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