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IXC vs. VDE
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IXC vs. VDE

Last updated Jun 19, 2026

IXC (iShares Global Energy ETF) and VDE (Vanguard Energy ETF) are both Energy Equities funds - IXC tracks the S&P Global 1200 Energy Capped Index while VDE tracks the MSCI US Investable Market Energy 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IXC returned 8.95%/yr vs 8.52%/yr for VDE. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. IXC charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VDE.

Performance

IXC vs. VDE - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with IXC having a 20.45% return and VDE slightly higher at 21.26%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with IXC having a 8.95% annualized return and VDE not far behind at 8.52%.

IXC

1D
-1.54%
1M
-12.35%
YTD
20.45%
6M
23.85%
1Y
27.74%
3Y*
14.48%
5Y*
18.65%
10Y*
8.95%

VDE

1D
-1.59%
1M
-12.37%
YTD
21.26%
6M
24.03%
1Y
26.27%
3Y*
14.08%
5Y*
19.75%
10Y*
8.52%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IXC vs. VDE - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IXC
iShares Global Energy ETF		20.45%13.98%1.95%3.92%48.51%40.88%-31.00%12.67%-14.85%5.54%
VDE
Vanguard Energy ETF		21.26%7.11%6.75%0.03%62.89%56.31%-33.02%9.28%-19.95%-2.50%

Correlation

The correlation between IXC and VDE is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.97

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.97

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.98

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.97

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 29, 2004

0.96

The correlation between IXC and VDE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

IXC vs. VDE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IXC
VDE

Energy

100.0%
99.5%

Basic Materials

-

0.4%

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Financial Services

-

-

Healthcare

-

-

Industrials

-

0.1%

Real Estate

-

-

Technology

-

-

Utilities

-

-

Energy

IXC
100.0%
VDE
99.5%

Basic Materials

IXC

-

VDE
0.4%

Communication Services

IXC

-

VDE

-

Consumer Cyclical

IXC

-

VDE

-

Consumer Defensive

IXC

-

VDE

-

Financial Services

IXC

-

VDE

-

Healthcare

IXC

-

VDE

-

Industrials

IXC

-

VDE
0.1%

Real Estate

IXC

-

VDE

-

Technology

IXC

-

VDE

-

Utilities

IXC

-

VDE

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares Global Energy ETF

Vanguard Energy ETF

Often compared with IXC:
IXC vs. XLEIXC vs. IYEIXC vs. OIHIXC vs. IUES.LIXC vs. DDMIXC vs. XDW0.DEIXC vs. PXE
Often compared with VDE:
VDE vs. XLEVDE vs. FENYVDE vs. VOOVDE vs. VGENXVDE vs. XOPVDE vs. VGTVDE vs. IYE

Return for Risk

IXC vs. VDE — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IXC
IXC Risk / Return Rank: 4343
Overall Rank
IXC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4444
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IXC Sortino Ratio Rank: 4141
Sortino Ratio Rank
IXC Omega Ratio Rank: 3939
Omega Ratio Rank
IXC Calmar Ratio Rank: 4444
Calmar Ratio Rank
IXC Martin Ratio Rank: 4848
Martin Ratio Rank
VDE
VDE Risk / Return Rank: 3737
Overall Rank
VDE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3737
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VDE Sortino Ratio Rank: 3535
Sortino Ratio Rank
VDE Omega Ratio Rank: 3333
Omega Ratio Rank
VDE Calmar Ratio Rank: 3939
Calmar Ratio Rank
VDE Martin Ratio Rank: 3939
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

IXC vs. VDE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Global Energy ETF (IXC) 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.

IXCVDEDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.46
1.27

+0.19

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.96
1.75

+0.21

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.25

1.21

+0.03

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.09

1.86

+0.24

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

7.57

5.85

+1.71

IXC vs. VDE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IXC Sharpe Ratio is 1.46, which is comparable to the VDE Sharpe Ratio of 1.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IXC 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.

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Drawdowns

IXC vs. VDE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IXC drawdown since its inception was -67.88%, smaller than the maximum VDE drawdown of -74.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IXC and VDE.

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Drawdown Indicators

IXCVDEDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-67.88%

-74.20%

+6.32%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-13.31%

-14.20%

+0.89%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-19.06%

-21.41%

+2.35%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-24.93%

-26.58%

+1.65%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-64.16%

-69.29%

+5.13%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-13.31%

-14.20%

+0.89%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-17.46%

-19.94%

+2.48%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.68%

4.50%

-0.82%

Volatility

IXC vs. VDE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Global Energy ETF (IXC) is 6.48%, while Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) has a volatility of 7.03%. This indicates that IXC 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.

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Volatility by Period

IXCVDEDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

6.48%

7.03%

-0.55%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

15.86%

16.75%

-0.89%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

19.16%

20.79%

-1.63%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

23.52%

26.42%

-2.90%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

26.87%

29.95%

-3.08%

IXC vs. VDE - Expense Ratio Comparison

IXC has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than VDE's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

IXC vs. VDE - Dividend Comparison

IXC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.16%, more than VDE's 2.59% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IXC
iShares Global Energy ETF		3.16%3.68%4.56%3.45%4.76%3.98%4.86%7.00%3.51%3.05%2.86%3.77%
VDE
Vanguard Energy ETF		2.59%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

With a correlation of 0.97, IXC and VDE move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

VDE has higher volatility (7.03%) compared to IXC (6.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IXC dropped -67.88% vs VDE's -74.20%.

On 10-year performance, IXC leads with 8.95% vs 8.52% for VDE. On fees, VDE is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, IXC has been the lower-risk option at 6.48%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, IXC has performed better with a 8.95% return vs 8.52%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

VDE is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for IXC.

IXC has the higher dividend yield at 3.16%, compared with 2.59% for VDE.

IXC tracks S&P Global 1200 Energy Capped Index, while VDE tracks MSCI US Investable Market Energy 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for IXC and 0.09% for VDE.

IXC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.46 vs 1.27), 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.

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