RING vs. VDE

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

RING (iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF) and VDE (Vanguard Energy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RING is a Gold fund tracking the MSCI ACWI Select Gold Miners Investable Market Index, while VDE is a Energy Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Energy 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, RING returned 12.92%/yr vs 8.90%/yr for VDE. At a 0.19 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. RING charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VDE.

Performance

RING vs. VDE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF (RING) 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, RING achieves a -8.53% return, which is significantly lower than VDE's 23.55% return. Over the past 10 years, RING has outperformed VDE with an annualized return of 12.92%, while VDE has yielded a comparatively lower 8.90% annualized return.

RING

• 1D: -4.54%
• 1M: -9.24%
• YTD: -8.53%
• 6M: -13.08%
• 1Y: 52.30%
• 3Y*: 44.79%
• 5Y*: 20.81%
• 10Y*: 12.92%

VDE

• 1D: 0.60%
• 1M: -7.94%
• YTD: 23.55%
• 6M: 24.06%
• 1Y: 31.01%
• 3Y*: 16.13%
• 5Y*: 18.74%
• 10Y*: 8.90%

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

RING vs. VDE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RING iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF	-8.53%	164.72%	15.98%	12.29%	-15.40%	-7.46%	24.98%	49.92%	-13.14%	10.24%
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF	23.55%	7.11%	6.75%	0.03%	62.89%	56.31%	-33.02%	9.28%	-19.95%	-2.50%

Correlation

The correlation between RING and VDE is -0.04, 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	-0.04
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.13
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.22
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.15
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2012	0.19

The correlation between RING and VDE shifts across timeframes, from -0.04 (1 year) to 0.22 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

RING vs. VDE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RING	VDE
Basic Materials	99.7%	0.4%
Financial Services	0.1%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	99.5%
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	0.1%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

RING vs. VDE — Risk / Return Rank

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

RING

RING Risk / Return Rank: 30
RING Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
RING Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
RING Omega Ratio Rank: 32
RING Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
RING Martin Ratio Rank: 29

VDE

VDE Risk / Return Rank: 43
VDE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
VDE Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
VDE Omega Ratio Rank: 40
VDE Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
VDE Martin Ratio Rank: 43

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.

RING vs. VDE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF (RING) 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.

	RING	VDE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.09	1.51	-0.42
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.53	2.04	-0.51
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.25	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.47	2.19	-0.72
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.91	6.75	-2.84

RING vs. VDE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RING Sharpe Ratio is 1.09, which is comparable to the VDE Sharpe Ratio of 1.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RING 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

RING vs. VDE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RING drawdown since its inception was -79.47%, which is greater than VDE's maximum drawdown of -74.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RING and VDE.

Drawdown Indicators

	RING	VDE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-79.47%	-74.20%	-5.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-35.72%	-14.20%	-21.52%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-35.72%	-21.41%	-14.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-47.94%	-26.58%	-21.36%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-52.04%	-69.29%	+17.25%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-32.25%	-12.59%	-19.66%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-47.33%	-19.94%	-27.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	13.40%	4.61%	+8.79%

Volatility

RING vs. VDE - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF (RING) has a higher volatility of 17.22% compared to Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) at 7.06%. This indicates that RING'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

	RING	VDE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	17.22%	7.06%	+10.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	39.95%	16.61%	+23.34%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	48.04%	20.80%	+27.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.94%	26.37%	+10.57%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	36.73%	29.94%	+6.79%

RING vs. VDE - Expense Ratio Comparison

RING has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is higher than VDE's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

RING vs. VDE - Dividend Comparison

RING's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.35%, less than VDE's 2.54% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RING iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF	1.35%	0.84%	1.43%	2.01%	2.29%	2.38%	0.83%	0.83%	0.70%	0.42%	1.41%	0.96%
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF	2.54%	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 RING and VDE in my portfolio?

RING and VDE have a correlation of -0.04, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RING or VDE?

RING has higher volatility (17.22%) compared to VDE (7.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RING dropped -79.47% vs VDE's -74.20%.

Which ETF is better, RING or VDE?

On 10-year performance, RING leads with 12.92% vs 8.90% for VDE. On fees, VDE is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, VDE has been the lower-risk option at 7.06%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RING or VDE?

Over the 10-year period, RING has performed better with a 12.92% return vs 8.90%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RING or VDE?

VDE is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.39% for RING.

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

VDE has the higher dividend yield at 2.54%, compared with 1.35% for RING.

What is the main difference between RING and VDE?

RING is categorized as Gold, while VDE is Energy Equities. RING tracks MSCI ACWI Select Gold Miners Investable Market 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: 0.39% for RING and 0.09% for VDE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VDE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.51 vs 1.09), 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.