AMTR vs. VDE

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about ETRACS Alerian Midstream Energy Total Return Index ETN (AMTR) and Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE).

AMTR and VDE are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. AMTR is a passively managed fund by UBS that tracks the performance of the Alerian Midstream Energy Index. It was launched on Oct 20, 2020. VDE is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the MSCI US Investable Market Energy 25/50 Index. It was launched on Sep 23, 2004. Both AMTR and VDE are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

AMTR vs. VDE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ETRACS Alerian Midstream Energy Total Return Index ETN (AMTR) and Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

AMTR vs. VDE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
AMTR ETRACS Alerian Midstream Energy Total Return Index ETN	0.00%	0.00%	44.68%	12.75%	20.41%	36.99%	15.24%
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF	38.21%	7.11%	6.75%	0.03%	62.89%	56.31%	31.72%

Returns By Period

AMTR

• 1D: —
• 1M: —
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VDE

• 1D: -1.12%
• 1M: 10.44%
• YTD: 38.21%
• 6M: 39.44%
• 1Y: 37.45%
• 3Y*: 18.47%
• 5Y*: 24.23%
• 10Y*: 11.24%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

AMTR vs. VDE - Expense Ratio Comparison

AMTR has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than VDE's 0.10% expense ratio.

AMTR

ETRACS Alerian Midstream Energy Total Return Index ETN

VDE

Vanguard Energy ETF

Return for Risk

AMTR vs. VDE — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

VDE

VDE Risk / Return Rank: 77
VDE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
VDE Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
VDE Omega Ratio Rank: 79
VDE Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
VDE Martin Ratio Rank: 64

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

AMTR vs. VDE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ETRACS Alerian Midstream Energy Total Return Index ETN (AMTR) and Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	AMTR	VDE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	1.51	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.92	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.38	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	—	0.29	—

Correlation

The correlation between AMTR and VDE is 0.72, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

AMTR vs. VDE - Dividend Comparison

AMTR has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VDE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.27%.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AMTR ETRACS Alerian Midstream Energy Total Return Index ETN	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF	2.27%	3.11%	3.23%	3.34%	3.65%	4.13%	4.76%	3.42%	3.35%	2.90%	2.31%	3.17%

Drawdowns

Drawdown Indicators

	AMTR	VDE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	—	-74.20%	—
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-18.91%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-26.58%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-69.29%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	—	-2.21%	—
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	—	-20.07%	—
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	6.60%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	AMTR	VDE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	4.96%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	13.82%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	24.93%	—
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	—	26.51%	—
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	—	29.86%	—