All charts and data below are CPI-U inflation-adjusted and with dividends reinvested. (Why?)
VPU real return snapshot: after CPI-U inflation, VPU returned −9.50% over the past year and −3.40% YTD, with dividends reinvested. Since Jan. 30, 2004, VPU is up +322.37% in real purchasing-power return, or +6.55%/yr, and is currently −12.45% below its real total-return high on Feb. 27, 2026.
Data ending Fri Oct. 16, 2026
| Fri 2004-01-30💬 to Fri 2026-10-16 |
Overall
Return |
Exponential
Trendline |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VPU × |
+322.37%
+6.55%/yr |
+6.67%/yr
R2=0.926 |
||||
| Vanguard Utilities Index Fund ETF Shares Exchange-Traded Fund | ||||||
| Fri 2004-01-30💬 to Fri 2026-10-16 |
Start
Value |
End
Value |
|---|---|---|
| VPU × |
$10,000.00
2004-01-30 |
$42,236.66
2026-10-16 |
| YTD | YoY | |
|---|---|---|
| VPU × | −3.40% | −9.50% |
|
Current
Drawdown |
Worst
Drawdown |
|
|---|---|---|
| VPU × |
−12.45%
on 2026-10-16 from 2026-02-27 peak |
−46.87%
on 2009-03-09 from 2007-12-10 peak |
| Period ending Fri 2026-10-16 | 1 yr | 2 yr | 3 yr | 5 yr | 10 yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VPU × | −9.50% |
+1.87% +0.93%/yr |
+40.58% +12.02%/yr |
+20.64% +3.82%/yr |
+70.58% +5.49%/yr |
| Year | VPU |
|---|---|
| 2026 (YTD) | −3.40% |
| 2025 | +13.43% |
| 2024 | +19.60% |
| 2023 | −10.44% |
| 2022 | −5.08% |
| 2021 | +9.68% |
| 2020 | −2.07% |
| 2019 | +22.10% |
| 2018 | +2.43% |
| 2017 | +10.12% |
| 2016 | +15.19% |
| 2015 | −5.50% |
| 2014 | +26.05% |
| 2013 | +13.20% |
| 2012 | +0.11% |
| 2011 | +15.55% |
| 2010 | +5.48% |
| 2009 | +8.36% |
| 2008 | −28.01% |
| 2007 | +12.39% |
| 2006 | +18.67% |
| 2005 | +10.76% |
| 2004 | +17.35% |
