LITP vs. VDE

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

LITP (Sprott Lithium Miners ETF) and VDE (Vanguard Energy ETF) are both Energy Equities funds - LITP tracks the Nasdaq Sprott Lithium Miners Index - Benchmark TR Gross while VDE tracks the MSCI US Investable Market Energy 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, LITP returned -0.12%/yr vs 17.97%/yr for VDE. At a 0.24 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. LITP charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VDE.

Performance

LITP vs. VDE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Sprott Lithium Miners ETF (LITP) 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, LITP achieves a 28.96% return, which is significantly lower than VDE's 32.24% return.

LITP

• 1D: -4.66%
• 1M: -7.17%
• YTD: 28.96%
• 6M: 41.58%
• 1Y: 218.79%
• 3Y*: -0.12%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VDE

• 1D: 1.13%
• 1M: -2.17%
• YTD: 32.24%
• 6M: 29.32%
• 1Y: 45.53%
• 3Y*: 17.97%
• 5Y*: 20.43%
• 10Y*: 9.70%

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

LITP vs. VDE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
LITP Sprott Lithium Miners ETF	28.96%	94.65%	-43.85%	-36.14%
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF	32.24%	7.11%	6.75%	1.34%

Correlation

The correlation between LITP and VDE is 0.03, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.03
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.20
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 3, 2023	0.24

Over the past year, the correlation between LITP and VDE has dropped to 0.03 - well below their long-term average of 0.24, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

LITP vs. VDE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	LITP	VDE
Basic Materials	100.0%	0.4%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	99.5%
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	0.1%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

LITP vs. VDE — Risk / Return Rank

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

LITP

LITP Risk / Return Rank: 87
LITP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
LITP Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
LITP Omega Ratio Rank: 74
LITP Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
LITP Martin Ratio Rank: 90

VDE

VDE Risk / Return Rank: 64
VDE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
VDE Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
VDE Omega Ratio Rank: 57
VDE Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
VDE Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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.

LITP vs. VDE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sprott Lithium Miners ETF (LITP) 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.

	LITP	VDE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.78	2.25	+1.53
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.67	2.88	+0.79
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.36	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	7.08	3.88	+3.20
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	21.48	11.42	+10.07
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LITP vs. VDE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LITP Sharpe Ratio is 3.78, which is higher than the VDE Sharpe Ratio of 2.25. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LITP 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

	LITP	VDE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.78	2.25	+1.53
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.78	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.33	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.07	0.28	-0.35

Drawdowns

LITP vs. VDE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LITP drawdown since its inception was -74.72%, roughly equal to the maximum VDE drawdown of -74.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LITP and VDE.

Drawdown Indicators

	LITP	VDE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-74.72%	-74.20%	-0.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-31.12%	-11.80%	-19.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-74.31%	-21.41%	-52.90%
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	-14.47%	-6.43%	-8.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-42.29%	-19.96%	-22.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.23%	4.00%	+6.23%

Volatility

LITP vs. VDE - Volatility Comparison

Sprott Lithium Miners ETF (LITP) has a higher volatility of 13.36% compared to Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) at 7.99%. This indicates that LITP'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

	LITP	VDE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.36%	7.99%	+5.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	39.69%	16.33%	+23.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	58.34%	20.38%	+37.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	47.34%	26.40%	+20.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	47.34%	29.93%	+17.41%

LITP vs. VDE - Expense Ratio Comparison

LITP has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than VDE's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

LITP vs. VDE - Dividend Comparison

LITP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.74%, more than VDE's 2.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LITP Sprott Lithium Miners ETF	5.74%	7.41%	6.55%	2.80%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
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

Can I hold both LITP and VDE in my portfolio?

LITP and VDE have a correlation of 0.03, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LITP or VDE?

LITP has higher volatility (13.36%) compared to VDE (7.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LITP dropped -74.72% vs VDE's -74.20%.

Which ETF is better, LITP or VDE?

On 3-year performance, VDE leads with 17.97% vs -0.12% for LITP. On fees, VDE is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, VDE has been the lower-risk option at 7.99%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LITP or VDE?

Over the 3-year period, VDE has performed better with a 17.97% return vs -0.12%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LITP or VDE?

VDE is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for LITP.

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

LITP has the higher dividend yield at 5.74%, compared with 2.37% for VDE.

What is the main difference between LITP and VDE?

LITP tracks Nasdaq Sprott Lithium Miners Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while VDE tracks MSCI US Investable Market Energy 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: Sprott and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for LITP and 0.09% for VDE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LITP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.78 vs 2.25), 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.