ISRG vs. VDE

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

ISRG (Intuitive Surgical, Inc.) is a stock, while VDE (Vanguard Energy ETF) is Energy Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Energy 25/50 Index. Over the past 10 years, ISRG returned 18.37%/yr vs 8.98%/yr for VDE. At a 0.33 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

ISRG vs. VDE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (ISRG) 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, ISRG achieves a -28.96% return, which is significantly lower than VDE's 29.27% return. Over the past 10 years, ISRG has outperformed VDE with an annualized return of 18.37%, while VDE has yielded a comparatively lower 8.98% annualized return.

ISRG

• 1D: 3.43%
• 1M: -3.53%
• 6M: -25.68%
• YTD: -28.96%
• 1Y: -21.52%
• 3Y*: 4.37%
• 5Y*: 4.90%
• 10Y*: 18.37%

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)

ISRG vs. VDE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ISRG Intuitive Surgical, Inc.	-28.96%	8.51%	54.72%	27.14%	-26.15%	31.76%	38.39%	23.43%	31.23%	72.64%
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF	29.27%	7.11%	6.75%	0.03%	62.89%	56.31%	-33.02%	9.28%	-19.95%	-2.50%

Correlation

The correlation between ISRG and VDE is -0.11, 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 (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.11
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.03
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.13
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.21
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 29, 2004	0.33

The correlation between ISRG and VDE shifts across timeframes, from -0.11 (1 year) to 0.33 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

ISRG vs. VDE — Risk / Return Rank

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

ISRG

ISRG Risk / Return Rank: 16
ISRG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 14
ISRG Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
ISRG Omega Ratio Rank: 16
ISRG Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
ISRG Martin Ratio Rank: 15

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.

ISRG vs. VDE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (ISRG) 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.

	ISRG	VDE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.67	1.79	-2.45
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.88	2.35	-3.23
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.90	1.29	-0.39
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.60	2.47	-3.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.22	6.72	-7.94

ISRG vs. VDE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ISRG Sharpe Ratio is -0.67, which is lower than the VDE Sharpe Ratio of 1.79. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ISRG 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.

Drawdowns

ISRG vs. VDE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ISRG drawdown since its inception was -82.26%, which is greater than VDE's maximum drawdown of -74.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ISRG and VDE.

Drawdown Indicators

	ISRG	VDE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-82.26%	-74.20%	-8.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-35.99%	-15.04%	-20.95%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-37.83%	-21.41%	-16.42%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-49.90%	-26.58%	-23.32%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-49.90%	-69.29%	+19.39%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-34.09%	-8.54%	-25.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.32%	-19.91%	-1.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	17.69%	5.52%	+12.17%

Volatility

ISRG vs. VDE - Volatility Comparison

Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (ISRG) has a higher volatility of 11.98% compared to Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) at 6.04%. This indicates that ISRG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VDE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ISRG	VDE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.98%	6.04%	+5.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.65%	16.57%	+6.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	32.31%	20.84%	+11.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	33.59%	26.25%	+7.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	32.58%	29.91%	+2.67%

Dividends

ISRG vs. VDE - Dividend Comparison

ISRG has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VDE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.51%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ISRG Intuitive Surgical, Inc.	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	2.51%	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 ISRG and VDE in my portfolio?

ISRG and VDE have a correlation of -0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ISRG or VDE?

ISRG has higher volatility (11.98%) compared to VDE (6.04%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ISRG dropped -82.26% vs VDE's -74.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VDE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.79 vs -0.67), 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.