PXJ vs. VDE

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PXJ (Invesco Dynamic Oil & Gas Services ETF) and VDE (Vanguard Energy ETF) are both Energy Equities funds - PXJ tracks the Dynamic Oil & Gas Services Intellidex Index while VDE tracks the MSCI US Investable Market Energy 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, PXJ returned -0.80%/yr vs 9.70%/yr for VDE. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PXJ charges 0.63%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VDE.

Performance

PXJ vs. VDE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco Dynamic Oil & Gas Services ETF (PXJ) 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, PXJ achieves a 46.18% return, which is significantly higher than VDE's 32.24% return. Over the past 10 years, PXJ has underperformed VDE with an annualized return of -0.80%, while VDE has yielded a comparatively higher 9.70% annualized return.

PXJ

• 1D: -0.58%
• 1M: -6.26%
• YTD: 46.18%
• 6M: 38.54%
• 1Y: 82.76%
• 3Y*: 24.79%
• 5Y*: 17.27%
• 10Y*: -0.80%

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)

PXJ vs. VDE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PXJ Invesco Dynamic Oil & Gas Services ETF	46.18%	8.74%	0.21%	14.44%	62.25%	11.28%	-44.31%	-0.32%	-39.82%	-23.08%
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF	32.24%	7.11%	6.75%	0.03%	62.89%	56.31%	-33.02%	9.28%	-19.95%	-2.50%

Correlation

The correlation between PXJ and VDE is 0.73, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.73
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 27, 2005	0.89

The correlation between PXJ and VDE shifts across timeframes, from 0.73 (1 year) to 0.89 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

PXJ vs. VDE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PXJ	VDE
Energy	92.6%	99.5%
Industrials	5.2%	0.1%
Utilities	2.1%	-
Financial Services	0.1%	-
Basic Materials	-	0.4%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-

Return for Risk

PXJ vs. VDE — Risk / Return Rank

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

PXJ

PXJ Risk / Return Rank: 89
PXJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
PXJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
PXJ Omega Ratio Rank: 80
PXJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
PXJ Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

PXJ vs. VDE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco Dynamic Oil & Gas Services ETF (PXJ) 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.

	PXJ	VDE	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.17	2.25	+0.92
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.92	2.88	+1.04
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.36	+0.12
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	8.24	3.88	+4.36
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	23.98	11.42	+12.57
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PXJ vs. VDE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PXJ Sharpe Ratio is 3.17, which is higher than the VDE Sharpe Ratio of 2.25. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PXJ 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

	PXJ	VDE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.17	2.25	+0.92
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50	0.78	-0.28
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.02	0.33	-0.35
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.05	0.28	-0.33

Drawdowns

PXJ vs. VDE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PXJ drawdown since its inception was -94.82%, which is greater than VDE's maximum drawdown of -74.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PXJ and VDE.

Drawdown Indicators

	PXJ	VDE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-94.82%	-74.20%	-20.62%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.10%	-11.80%	+1.70%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-40.03%	-21.41%	-18.62%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.03%	-26.58%	-13.45%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-87.72%	-69.29%	-18.43%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-66.60%	-6.43%	-60.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-55.67%	-19.96%	-35.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.46%	4.00%	-0.54%

Volatility

PXJ vs. VDE - Volatility Comparison

Invesco Dynamic Oil & Gas Services ETF (PXJ) and Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) have volatilities of 7.75% 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.

Volatility by Period

	PXJ	VDE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.75%	7.99%	-0.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.30%	16.33%	+1.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.41%	20.38%	+6.03%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	34.57%	26.40%	+8.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	39.47%	29.93%	+9.54%

PXJ vs. VDE - Expense Ratio Comparison

PXJ has a 0.63% expense ratio, which is higher than VDE's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

PXJ vs. VDE - Dividend Comparison

PXJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.21%, less than VDE's 2.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PXJ Invesco Dynamic Oil & Gas Services ETF	2.21%	2.91%	3.34%	1.99%	0.65%	2.40%	4.72%	1.87%	0.99%	2.75%	1.18%	2.36%
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 PXJ and VDE in my portfolio?

PXJ and VDE have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PXJ or VDE?

VDE has higher volatility (7.99%) compared to PXJ (7.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PXJ dropped -94.82% vs VDE's -74.20%.

Which ETF is better, PXJ or VDE?

On 10-year performance, VDE leads with 9.70% vs -0.80% for PXJ. On fees, VDE is cheaper at 0.10% per year. On volatility, PXJ has been the lower-risk option at 7.75%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PXJ or VDE?

Over the 10-year period, VDE has performed better with a 9.70% return vs -0.80%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PXJ or VDE?

VDE is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.63% for PXJ.

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

VDE has the higher dividend yield at 2.37%, compared with 2.21% for PXJ.

What is the main difference between PXJ and VDE?

PXJ tracks Dynamic Oil & Gas Services Intellidex Index, while VDE tracks MSCI US Investable Market Energy 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.63% for PXJ and 0.10% for VDE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PXJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.17 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.