SPDG vs. VDE

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SPDG (SPDR Portfolio S&P Sector Neutral Dividend ETF) and VDE (Vanguard Energy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPDG is a Dividend fund tracking the S&P Sector-Neutral High Yield Dividend Aristocrats 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 year, SPDG returned 28.62% vs 45.53% for VDE. At a 0.34 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SPDG charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VDE.

Performance

SPDG vs. VDE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR Portfolio S&P Sector Neutral Dividend ETF (SPDG) 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, SPDG achieves a 16.69% return, which is significantly lower than VDE's 32.24% return.

SPDG

• 1D: -0.67%
• 1M: 7.25%
• YTD: 16.69%
• 6M: 16.41%
• 1Y: 28.62%
• 3Y*: —
• 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)

SPDG vs. VDE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
SPDG SPDR Portfolio S&P Sector Neutral Dividend ETF	16.69%	11.66%	20.22%	8.14%
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF	32.24%	7.11%	6.75%	-8.40%

Correlation

The correlation between SPDG and VDE is 0.17, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.17
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 13, 2023	0.34

The correlation between SPDG and VDE shifts across timeframes, from 0.17 (1 year) to 0.34 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SPDG vs. VDE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPDG	VDE
Technology	35.5%	-
Financial Services	12.9%	-
Communication Services	10.5%	-
Consumer Cyclical	9.5%	-
Healthcare	9.1%	-
Industrials	8.5%	0.1%
Consumer Defensive	4.7%	-
Energy	3.3%	99.5%
Utilities	2.4%	-
Real Estate	2.2%	-
Basic Materials	1.4%	0.4%

Return for Risk

SPDG vs. VDE — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPDG

SPDG Risk / Return Rank: 69
SPDG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPDG Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
SPDG Omega Ratio Rank: 69
SPDG Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
SPDG Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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.

SPDG vs. VDE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Portfolio S&P Sector Neutral Dividend ETF (SPDG) 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.

	SPDG	VDE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.37	2.25	+0.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.41	2.88	+0.53
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.36	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.45	3.88	-0.43
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.57	11.42	+0.15
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SPDG vs. VDE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPDG Sharpe Ratio is 2.37, which is comparable to the VDE Sharpe Ratio of 2.25. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPDG 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

	SPDG	VDE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.37	2.25	+0.12
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	1.52	0.28	+1.23

Drawdowns

SPDG vs. VDE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPDG drawdown since its inception was -15.67%, smaller than the maximum VDE drawdown of -74.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPDG and VDE.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPDG	VDE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.67%	-74.20%	+58.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.34%	-11.80%	+3.46%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-21.41%	—
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	-0.67%	-6.43%	+5.76%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.19%	-19.96%	+17.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.48%	4.00%	-1.52%

Volatility

SPDG vs. VDE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR Portfolio S&P Sector Neutral Dividend ETF (SPDG) is 3.54%, while Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) has a volatility of 7.99%. This indicates that SPDG 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.

Volatility by Period

	SPDG	VDE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.54%	7.99%	-4.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.23%	16.33%	-7.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.14%	20.38%	-8.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.18%	26.40%	-12.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.18%	29.93%	-15.75%

SPDG vs. VDE - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPDG has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than VDE's 0.09% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SPDG vs. VDE - Dividend Comparison

SPDG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.59%, more than VDE's 2.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPDG SPDR Portfolio S&P Sector Neutral Dividend ETF	2.59%	2.87%	2.61%	0.90%	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 SPDG and VDE in my portfolio?

SPDG and VDE have a correlation of 0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPDG or VDE?

VDE has higher volatility (7.99%) compared to SPDG (3.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPDG dropped -15.67% vs VDE's -74.20%.

Which ETF is better, SPDG or VDE?

On 1-year performance, VDE leads with 45.53% vs 28.62% for SPDG. On fees, SPDG is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, SPDG has been the lower-risk option at 3.54%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPDG or VDE?

Over the 1-year period, VDE has performed better with a 45.53% return vs 28.62%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPDG or VDE?

SPDG is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.09% for VDE.

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

SPDG has the higher dividend yield at 2.59%, compared with 2.37% for VDE.

What is the main difference between SPDG and VDE?

SPDG is categorized as Dividend, while VDE is Energy Equities. SPDG tracks S&P Sector-Neutral High Yield Dividend Aristocrats Index, while VDE tracks MSCI US Investable Market Energy 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for SPDG and 0.09% for VDE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPDG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 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.