BKGI vs. VDE

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

BKGI (Bny Mellon Global Infrastructure Income ETF) and VDE (Vanguard Energy ETF) are both Energy Equities funds. BKGI is actively managed, while VDE is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, BKGI returned 22.31%/yr vs 17.53%/yr for VDE. At a 0.37 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BKGI charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VDE.

Performance

BKGI vs. VDE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Bny Mellon Global Infrastructure Income ETF (BKGI) and Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BKGI achieves a 12.69% return, which is significantly lower than VDE's 30.77% return.

BKGI

• 1D: 0.63%
• 1M: -0.23%
• YTD: 12.69%
• 6M: 12.56%
• 1Y: 21.83%
• 3Y*: 22.31%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VDE

• 1D: 1.17%
• 1M: -2.27%
• YTD: 30.77%
• 6M: 30.53%
• 1Y: 45.89%
• 3Y*: 17.53%
• 5Y*: 20.34%
• 10Y*: 9.58%

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

BKGI vs. VDE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
BKGI Bny Mellon Global Infrastructure Income ETF	12.69%	37.53%	12.35%	9.72%	8.54%
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF	30.77%	7.11%	6.75%	0.03%	-3.24%

Correlation

The correlation between BKGI and VDE is 0.10, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.10
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.30
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 4, 2022	0.37

Over the past year, the correlation between BKGI and VDE has dropped to 0.10 - well below their long-term average of 0.37, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

BKGI vs. VDE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BKGI	VDE
Utilities	49.3%	-
Energy	21.6%	99.5%
Industrials	14.0%	0.1%
Real Estate	11.5%	-
Communication Services	3.5%	-
Basic Materials	-	0.4%
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Technology	-	-

Return for Risk

BKGI vs. VDE — Risk / Return Rank

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

BKGI

BKGI Risk / Return Rank: 61
BKGI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
BKGI Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
BKGI Omega Ratio Rank: 55
BKGI Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
BKGI Martin Ratio Rank: 67

VDE

VDE Risk / Return Rank: 66
VDE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
VDE Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
VDE Omega Ratio Rank: 59
VDE Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
VDE Martin Ratio Rank: 65

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.

BKGI vs. VDE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Bny Mellon Global Infrastructure Income ETF (BKGI) 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.

	BKGI	VDE	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.89	2.27	-0.37
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.64	2.90	-0.26
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.36	-0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.78	4.04	-0.26
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.47	11.98	+0.50
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BKGI vs. VDE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BKGI Sharpe Ratio is 1.89, which is comparable to the VDE Sharpe Ratio of 2.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BKGI and VDE, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BKGI	VDE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.89	2.27	-0.37
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.77	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.32	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.62	0.28	+1.34

Drawdowns

BKGI vs. VDE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BKGI drawdown since its inception was -14.79%, smaller than the maximum VDE drawdown of -74.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BKGI and VDE.

Drawdown Indicators

	BKGI	VDE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.79%	-74.20%	+59.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.16%	-11.80%	+5.64%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.16%	-21.41%	+7.25%
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	-2.72%	-7.48%	+4.76%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.56%	-19.97%	+17.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.87%	3.98%	-2.11%

Volatility

BKGI vs. VDE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Bny Mellon Global Infrastructure Income ETF (BKGI) is 4.23%, while Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) has a volatility of 7.98%. This indicates that BKGI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VDE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BKGI	VDE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.23%	7.98%	-3.75%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.08%	16.32%	-7.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.63%	20.38%	-8.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.08%	26.40%	-12.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.08%	29.94%	-15.86%

BKGI vs. VDE - Expense Ratio Comparison

BKGI has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than VDE's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

BKGI vs. VDE - Dividend Comparison

BKGI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.68%, more than VDE's 2.40% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BKGI Bny Mellon Global Infrastructure Income ETF	2.68%	2.65%	4.55%	4.55%	0.53%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF	2.40%	3.11%	3.23%	3.34%	3.65%	4.13%	4.76%	3.42%	3.35%	2.90%	2.31%	3.17%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BKGI and VDE in my portfolio?

BKGI and VDE have a correlation of 0.10, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BKGI or VDE?

VDE has higher volatility (7.98%) compared to BKGI (4.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BKGI dropped -14.79% vs VDE's -74.20%.

Which ETF is better, BKGI or VDE?

On 3-year performance, BKGI leads with 22.31% vs 17.53% for VDE. On fees, VDE is cheaper at 0.10% per year. On volatility, BKGI has been the lower-risk option at 4.23%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BKGI or VDE?

Over the 3-year period, BKGI has performed better with a 22.31% return vs 17.53%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BKGI or VDE?

VDE is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for BKGI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BKGI or VDE?

BKGI has the higher dividend yield at 2.68%, compared with 2.40% for VDE.

What is the main difference between BKGI and VDE?

They also come from different issuers: BNY Mellon and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for BKGI and 0.10% for VDE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VDE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.27 vs 1.89), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.