IG vs. VDE

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

IG (Principal Investment Grade Corporate Active ETF) and VDE (Vanguard Energy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IG is a Corporate Bonds fund actively managed by Principal, while VDE is a Energy Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Energy 25/50 Index. IG is actively managed, while VDE is passively managed. At a correlation of -0.51, they often move in opposite directions. IG charges 0.26%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VDE.

Performance

IG vs. VDE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal Investment Grade Corporate Active ETF (IG) and Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

IG

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: -0.98%
• 6M: —
• YTD: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VDE

• 1D: 0.84%
• 1M: 3.78%
• 6M: 21.26%
• YTD: 29.27%
• 1Y: 37.00%
• 3Y*: 15.80%
• 5Y*: 22.87%
• 10Y*: 8.98%

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

IG vs. VDE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
IG Principal Investment Grade Corporate Active ETF	-0.60%
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF	1.98%

Correlation

The correlation between IG and VDE is -0.51, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 22, 2026	-0.51

Return for Risk

IG vs. VDE — Risk / Return Rank

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

IG

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

VDE

VDE Risk / Return Rank: 60
VDE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
VDE Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
VDE Omega Ratio Rank: 59
VDE Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
VDE Martin Ratio Rank: 50

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.

IG vs. VDE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal Investment Grade Corporate Active ETF (IG) 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	IG	VDE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	1.79	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	2.35	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.29	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	2.47	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	6.72	—

Drawdowns

IG vs. VDE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IG drawdown since its inception was -1.75%, smaller than the maximum VDE drawdown of -74.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IG and VDE.

Drawdown Indicators

	IG	VDE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-1.75%	-74.20%	+72.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-15.04%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-21.41%	—
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	-1.33%	-8.54%	+7.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.52%	-19.91%	+19.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	5.52%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	IG	VDE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	6.04%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	16.57%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.55%	20.84%	-16.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.55%	26.25%	-21.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.55%	29.91%	-25.36%

IG vs. VDE - Expense Ratio Comparison

IG has a 0.26% expense ratio, which is higher than VDE's 0.09% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

IG vs. VDE - Dividend Comparison

IG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.26%, less than VDE's 2.51% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IG Principal Investment Grade Corporate Active ETF	1.26%	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	2.51%	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 IG and VDE in my portfolio?

IG and VDE have a correlation of -0.51, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, IG or VDE?

On fees, VDE is cheaper at 0.09% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, IG or VDE?

VDE is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.26% for IG.

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

VDE has the higher dividend yield at 2.51%, compared with 1.26% for IG.

What is the main difference between IG and VDE?

IG is categorized as Corporate Bonds, while VDE is Energy Equities. They also come from different issuers: Principal and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.26% for IG and 0.09% for VDE.