Two of the market's most popular income ETFs compared side-by-side. See which one fits your yield strategy.
What this means: Both VRP and XLU fall intoTier 2: Yield Plus. This suggests they share a similar risk profile and volatility expectation.
| Metric | VRP | XLU |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 9.90% | 0.00% |
| NAV Change (1Y) | -0.41% | 0.00% |
| Max Drawdown | -6.46% | 0.00% |
| Beta | - | - |
* Returns include dividend reinvestment. Drawdown calculates peak-to-trough decline over trailing 12 months.
VRP (Invesco Variable Rate Preferred ETF) is a conservative dividend growth fund managed by Invesco. It focuses on generating income through strategic holdings. With $2.3B in assets under management, this fund has been operational since its inception.
Strategy: Focuses on quality dividend-paying companies with strong balance sheets and consistent payout histories.
XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) is a conservative dividend growth fund managed by SPDR. It focuses on generating income through strategic holdings. With $22.2B in assets under management, this fund has been operational since its inception.
Strategy: Focuses on quality dividend-paying companies with strong balance sheets and consistent payout histories.
In the head-to-head battle of VRP vs XLU, the choice depends on your specific goal. VRP wins for Immediate Income with a 10.31% yield. However, VRP is the better choice for Long-Term Growth due to superior total return performance.
Which fund is safer for retirement income? We analyze the yield sustainability and structural risk.
The Bottom Line Question: If you invest $100,000 today, how much cash will you actually receive each month? Here's the exact math:
VRP
Annual Yield: 10.31%
$859/mo
($10,311/year)
Frequency: monthly
XLU
Annual Yield: 2.61%
$217/mo
($2,609/year)
Frequency: quarterly
Income Gap: VRP generates $7,702/year more than XLU on the same $100k investment.
Over 20 years, that's $154,045 in additional cash flow (before reinvestment).
Context Matters: Higher income doesn't always mean better investment. Review the "Yield Trap" and "Total Return" sections above—you want income that's sustainable, not just headline-grabbing.
Historical data reveals how these funds behave during market stress. VRP has delivered a superior Total Return of 9.90% over the past year.
Every investor has a unique risk profile. Use our Portfolio Intelligence tool to see the impact of adding these ETFs to your holdings.