Vanguard Utilities ETF (NYSEARCA:VPU) Shares Bought by Essex Financial Services Inc.

Essex Financial Services Inc. raised its stake in Vanguard Utilities ETF (NYSEARCA:VPU) by 13.0% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 4,136 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 475 shares during the period. Essex Financial Services Inc.’s holdings in Vanguard Utilities ETF were worth $676,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Strategic Financial Concepts LLC acquired a new stake in Vanguard Utilities ETF in the fourth quarter valued at $20,003,000. Invst LLC boosted its position in shares of Vanguard Utilities ETF by 3,335.1% in the 3rd quarter. Invst LLC now owns 49,672 shares of the company’s stock worth $8,645,000 after buying an additional 48,226 shares in the last quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors grew its stake in Vanguard Utilities ETF by 31.0% in the 3rd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 195,762 shares of the company’s stock valued at $34,072,000 after acquiring an additional 46,299 shares during the last quarter. L & S Advisors Inc purchased a new position in Vanguard Utilities ETF during the 3rd quarter valued at about $6,153,000. Finally, LPL Financial LLC raised its position in Vanguard Utilities ETF by 4.8% during the third quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 614,776 shares of the company’s stock worth $107,002,000 after acquiring an additional 28,320 shares during the last quarter.

Vanguard Utilities ETF Price Performance

VPU stock opened at $171.17 on Thursday. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $167.01 and its 200-day simple moving average is $168.26. Vanguard Utilities ETF has a 12 month low of $128.05 and a 12 month high of $180.04. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.16 billion, a PE ratio of 20.65 and a beta of 0.56.

About Vanguard Utilities ETF

Vanguard Utilities ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded class of shares issued by Vanguard Utilities Index Fund. The Fund tracks the performance of Morgan Stanley Capital International United States Investable Market Utilities Index, an index made up of stocks of large, medium-size and small United States companies in the utilities sector, as classified under the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS).