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IYE vs. VDE
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IYE vs. VDE

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

IYE (iShares U.S. Energy ETF) and VDE (Vanguard Energy ETF) are both Energy Equities funds - IYE tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Oil & Gas Index while VDE tracks the MSCI US Investable Market Energy 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IYE returned 8.76%/yr vs 9.47%/yr for VDE. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. IYE charges 0.42%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VDE.

Performance

IYE vs. VDE - Performance Comparison

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

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with IYE having a 31.95% return and VDE slightly higher at 32.48%. Over the past 10 years, IYE has underperformed VDE with an annualized return of 8.76%, while VDE has yielded a comparatively higher 9.47% annualized return.

IYE

1D
0.03%
1M
-1.09%
YTD
31.95%
6M
28.91%
1Y
46.86%
3Y*
17.38%
5Y*
19.52%
10Y*
8.76%

VDE

1D
0.18%
1M
-1.99%
YTD
32.48%
6M
28.99%
1Y
48.54%
3Y*
18.32%
5Y*
20.47%
10Y*
9.47%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IYE vs. VDE - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IYE
iShares U.S. Energy ETF		31.95%7.33%6.06%-2.21%60.21%53.42%-33.49%10.03%-19.37%-1.80%
VDE
Vanguard Energy ETF		32.48%7.11%6.75%0.03%62.89%56.31%-33.02%9.28%-19.95%-2.50%

Correlation

The correlation between IYE and VDE is 1.00 - 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

1.00

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

1.00

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

1.00

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

1.00

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 30, 2004

0.99

The correlation between IYE and VDE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.99 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.

IYE vs. VDE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IYE
VDE

Energy

98.9%
99.5%

Technology

1.1%

-

Basic Materials

-

0.4%

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Financial Services

-

-

Healthcare

-

-

Industrials

-

0.1%

Real Estate

-

-

Utilities

-

-

Energy

IYE
98.9%
VDE
99.5%

Technology

IYE
1.1%
VDE

-

Basic Materials

IYE

-

VDE
0.4%

Communication Services

IYE

-

VDE

-

Consumer Cyclical

IYE

-

VDE

-

Consumer Defensive

IYE

-

VDE

-

Financial Services

IYE

-

VDE

-

Healthcare

IYE

-

VDE

-

Industrials

IYE

-

VDE
0.1%

Real Estate

IYE

-

VDE

-

Utilities

IYE

-

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 U.S. Energy ETF

Vanguard Energy ETF

Often compared with IYE:
IYE vs. XLEIYE vs. IXCIYE vs. FENYIYE vs. OIHIYE vs. IYHIYE vs. XOPIYE vs. MLPX
Often compared with VDE:
VDE vs. XLEVDE vs. IXCVDE vs. FENYVDE vs. VOOVDE vs. VGENXVDE vs. XOPVDE vs. VGT

Return for Risk

IYE vs. VDE — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IYE
IYE Risk / Return Rank: 6969
Overall Rank
IYE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7373
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IYE Sortino Ratio Rank: 6767
Sortino Ratio Rank
IYE Omega Ratio Rank: 6464
Omega Ratio Rank
IYE Calmar Ratio Rank: 7878
Calmar Ratio Rank
IYE Martin Ratio Rank: 6565
Martin Ratio Rank
VDE
VDE Risk / Return Rank: 7171
Overall Rank
VDE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7575
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VDE Sortino Ratio Rank: 6868
Sortino Ratio Rank
VDE Omega Ratio Rank: 6565
Omega Ratio Rank
VDE Calmar Ratio Rank: 8181
Calmar Ratio Rank
VDE Martin Ratio Rank: 6767
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.

IYE vs. VDE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Energy ETF (IYE) 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.

IYEVDEDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.37
2.41

-0.04

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.03
3.06

-0.03

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.38

1.39

0.00

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.95

4.13

-0.18

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

11.64

12.11

-0.47

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IYE vs. VDE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IYE Sharpe Ratio is 2.37, which is comparable to the VDE Sharpe Ratio of 2.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IYE 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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Sharpe Ratios by Period

IYEVDEDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

2.37

2.41

-0.04

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.76

0.78

-0.02

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.30

0.32

-0.02

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.26

0.28

-0.02

Drawdowns

IYE vs. VDE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IYE drawdown since its inception was -73.74%, roughly equal to the maximum VDE drawdown of -74.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IYE and VDE.

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Drawdown Indicators

IYEVDEDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-73.74%

-74.20%

+0.46%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.92%

-11.80%

-0.12%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-20.37%

-21.41%

+1.04%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-25.61%

-26.58%

+0.97%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-68.59%

-69.29%

+0.70%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-5.74%

-6.27%

+0.53%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-19.36%

-19.96%

+0.60%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

4.04%

4.02%

+0.02%

Volatility

IYE vs. VDE - Volatility Comparison

iShares U.S. Energy ETF (IYE) and Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) have volatilities of 7.92% and 7.99%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

IYEVDEDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

7.92%

7.99%

-0.07%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

16.06%

16.27%

-0.21%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

19.96%

20.34%

-0.38%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

25.71%

26.40%

-0.69%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

29.51%

29.93%

-0.42%

IYE vs. VDE - Expense Ratio Comparison

IYE has a 0.42% expense ratio, which is higher than VDE's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

IYE vs. VDE - Dividend Comparison

IYE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.13%, less than VDE's 2.37% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IYE
iShares U.S. Energy ETF		2.13%2.85%2.75%2.99%3.37%2.98%4.75%6.60%3.16%2.66%2.11%3.39%
VDE
Vanguard Energy ETF		2.37%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 1.00, IYE 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 (7.99%) compared to IYE (7.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IYE dropped -73.74% vs VDE's -74.20%.

On 10-year performance, VDE leads with 9.47% vs 8.76% for IYE. On fees, VDE is cheaper at 0.09% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, VDE has performed better with a 9.47% return vs 8.76%. 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 0.42% for IYE.

VDE has the higher dividend yield at 2.37%, compared with 2.13% for IYE.

IYE tracks Dow Jones U.S. Oil & Gas 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: 0.42% for IYE and 0.09% for VDE.

VDE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.41 vs 2.37), 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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