Should You Invest in the Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU)?
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Aug 20 2024
0mins
Source: NASDAQ.COM
Vanguard Utilities ETF Overview: The Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU) is a low-cost, passively managed fund that aims to match the performance of the MSCI US Investable Market Utilities 25/50 Index, with a focus on providing diversified exposure to the utilities sector. It has over $6.14 billion in assets and a low expense ratio of 0.10%.
Performance and Holdings: VPU has shown strong performance with a year-to-date gain of about 20.09% and a 12-month increase of approximately 21.67%. The fund primarily invests in utility companies, with its top holdings including NextEra Energy Inc., Southern Co., and Duke Energy Corp, which collectively represent over half of its total assets.
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Analyst Views on DUK
Wall Street analysts forecast DUK stock price to rise
11 Analyst Rating
5 Buy
6 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 126.110
Low
115.00
Averages
132.09
High
146.00
Current: 126.110
Low
115.00
Averages
132.09
High
146.00
About DUK
Duke Energy Corporation is an energy holding company. The Company operates through two segments: Electric Utilities and Infrastructure (EU&I) and Gas Utilities and Infrastructure (GU&I). The EU&I segment conducts operations primarily through the regulated public utilities of Duke Energy Carolinas, Duke Energy Progress, Duke Energy Florida, Duke Energy Indiana and Duke Energy Ohio. EU&I provides retail electric service through the generation, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity to customers within the Southeast and Midwest regions of the United States. The GU&I segment conducts natural gas operations primarily through the regulated public utilities of Piedmont, Duke Energy Ohio, and Duke Energy Kentucky. GU&I serves residential, commercial, industrial, and power generation natural gas customers, including customers served by municipalities who are wholesale customers. It also purchases a diverse portfolio of transportation and storage services from interstate pipelines.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Increased Scam Risks: Duke Energy received nearly 800 scam reports in February 2025, and a similar uptick is anticipated this month, prompting the company to encourage customers to remain vigilant and recognize common scam types to protect their interests.
- Payment Assistance Programs: The company offers various payment assistance options, including installment plans and due date extensions, allowing customers to access programs like the Share the Light Fund to help manage their bills during financial hardships.
- Energy Efficiency Solutions: Duke Energy provides free home assessments and rebates for improvement projects, enabling customers to reduce energy usage over time, which not only enhances customer satisfaction but also fosters long-term loyalty.
See More
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- Cost Internalization for Data Centers: White House trade advisor Peter Navarro stated that data center builders must absorb costs related to electricity and water usage, highlighting the government's concern over economic pressures that could impact companies like Meta.
- Rising Electricity Prices: With electricity prices spiking 6.9% year-over-year in 2025, public anxiety about the economy is increasing, as Navarro attempts to blame former President Biden, indicating the current administration's challenges in addressing inflation.
- Policy Response Measures: The Trump administration has signed a pact with several states urging major tech companies to finance $15 billion for new power plants to alleviate the strain data centers place on the grid, demonstrating proactive government intervention in energy policy.
- Election Outlook Impact: As the November 2026 midterms approach, polls show Democrats leading by 5.2 points, reflecting voter concerns over economic issues that could affect Trump's and the Republican Party's electoral prospects.
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Coca-Cola's Performance: Coca-Cola reported mixed results, beating earnings expectations but missing revenue estimates, leading to a 1.47% drop in shares despite a consistent history of earnings growth.
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See More
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- Commitment to Customer Protection: Senior Vice President Jessica Bishop emphasizes that as scams become more sophisticated, Duke Energy is dedicated to safeguarding customers from bad actors, ensuring a secure and trustworthy platform for managing energy accounts.
- Scam Red Flags: The company warns customers to be vigilant for signs of scams, such as demands for immediate payment, threats of service cutoff, or insistence on prepaid cards or cryptocurrency, all of which are payment methods Duke Energy does not accept.
- Energy Transition Strategy: As one of America's largest energy holding companies, Duke Energy is executing an ambitious energy transition by investing in electric grid upgrades and cleaner energy sources, ensuring customer reliability and value while advancing towards a smarter energy future.
See More
Duke Energy Deploys AI to Combat Scams Targeting Customers
- AI Technology Deployment: Duke Energy is enhancing customer safety by deploying artificial intelligence to proactively scan websites, social media, and paid ads for scams targeting energy customers, thereby reducing fraud risk and improving security.
- Scam Detection Example: The AI tool recently identified and removed a paid search ad impersonating Duke Energy with a fake customer service number, demonstrating the company's effectiveness in combating fraudulent schemes.
- Seasonal Scam Spike: In 2025, Duke Energy received thousands of scam reports across its service areas, with a notable increase in February when many customers seek bill assistance, highlighting the urgency of the company's protective measures.
- Customer Protection Guidance: Duke Energy advises customers to slow down when receiving urgent payment requests, verify information using official channels, and report suspected scams, ensuring they can effectively protect themselves against fraud.
See More
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- Technical Analysis Tool: Comparing the current share price to the 200-day moving average provides valuable insights for investors, helping to assess potential price trend changes.
- ETF Trading Mechanism: Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) operate like stocks, where investors buy and sell 'units' that can be created or destroyed based on demand, impacting liquidity and market performance.
- Inflows and Outflows Monitoring: Weekly monitoring of changes in shares outstanding for ETFs highlights significant inflows (new units created) or outflows (old units destroyed), which can affect the performance of individual stocks held within the ETFs.
See More
