UMI vs. VDE

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

UMI (USCF Midstream Energy Income Fund ETF) and VDE (Vanguard Energy ETF) are both Energy Equities funds. UMI is actively managed, while VDE is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, UMI returned 20.20%/yr vs 18.82%/yr for VDE. A 0.66 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. UMI charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VDE.

Performance

UMI vs. VDE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in USCF Midstream Energy Income Fund ETF (UMI) and Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with UMI having a 21.76% return and VDE slightly higher at 22.80%.

UMI

• 1D: 0.96%
• 1M: -5.27%
• YTD: 21.76%
• 6M: 23.01%
• 1Y: 24.46%
• 3Y*: 27.84%
• 5Y*: 20.20%
• 10Y*: —

VDE

• 1D: 1.27%
• 1M: -8.49%
• YTD: 22.80%
• 6M: 24.09%
• 1Y: 26.80%
• 3Y*: 15.90%
• 5Y*: 18.82%
• 10Y*: 8.84%

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

UMI vs. VDE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
UMI USCF Midstream Energy Income Fund ETF	21.76%	5.11%	42.97%	14.60%	20.78%	20.97%	-8.25%	21.06%	-10.64%	2.76%
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF	22.80%	7.11%	6.75%	0.03%	62.89%	56.31%	-33.02%	9.28%	-19.95%	7.06%

Correlation

The correlation between UMI and VDE is 0.63, 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	0.63
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.69
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 30, 2017	0.66

The correlation between UMI and VDE shifts across timeframes, from 0.63 (1 year) to 0.78 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

UMI vs. VDE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	UMI	VDE
Energy	99.0%	99.5%
Utilities	1.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	0.4%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	0.1%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-

Return for Risk

UMI vs. VDE — Risk / Return Rank

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

UMI

UMI Risk / Return Rank: 54
UMI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
UMI Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
UMI Omega Ratio Rank: 48
UMI Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
UMI Martin Ratio Rank: 51

VDE

VDE Risk / Return Rank: 36
VDE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
VDE Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
VDE Omega Ratio Rank: 33
VDE Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
VDE Martin Ratio Rank: 39

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.

UMI vs. VDE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for USCF Midstream Energy Income Fund ETF (UMI) 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.

	UMI	VDE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.73	1.29	+0.44
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.40	1.78	+0.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.22	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.28	1.90	+1.38
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.47	5.92	+2.55

UMI vs. VDE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current UMI Sharpe Ratio is 1.73, which is higher than the VDE Sharpe Ratio of 1.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of UMI 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

UMI vs. VDE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum UMI drawdown since its inception was -48.08%, smaller than the maximum VDE drawdown of -74.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UMI and VDE.

Drawdown Indicators

	UMI	VDE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-48.08%	-74.20%	+26.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.50%	-14.20%	+6.70%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.08%	-21.41%	+4.33%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.05%	-26.58%	+6.53%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-69.29%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.35%	-13.11%	+7.76%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.59%	-19.94%	+13.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.90%	4.57%	-1.67%

Volatility

UMI vs. VDE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for USCF Midstream Energy Income Fund ETF (UMI) is 5.33%, while Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) has a volatility of 7.02%. This indicates that UMI 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

	UMI	VDE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.33%	7.02%	-1.69%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.05%	16.69%	-5.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.23%	20.84%	-6.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.45%	26.37%	-6.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.16%	29.96%	-6.80%

UMI vs. VDE - Expense Ratio Comparison

UMI has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than VDE's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

UMI vs. VDE - Dividend Comparison

UMI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.02%, more than VDE's 2.56% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
UMI USCF Midstream Energy Income Fund ETF	6.02%	6.23%	4.39%	4.67%	4.36%	3.00%	2.18%	2.47%	2.48%	0.15%	0.00%	0.00%
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF	2.56%	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 UMI and VDE in my portfolio?

UMI and VDE have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, UMI or VDE?

VDE has higher volatility (7.02%) compared to UMI (5.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UMI dropped -48.08% vs VDE's -74.20%.

Which ETF is better, UMI or VDE?

On 5-year performance, UMI leads with 20.20% vs 18.82% for VDE. On fees, VDE is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, UMI has been the lower-risk option at 5.33%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, UMI or VDE?

Over the 5-year period, UMI has performed better with a 20.20% return vs 18.82%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, UMI or VDE?

VDE is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for UMI.

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

UMI has the higher dividend yield at 6.02%, compared with 2.56% for VDE.

What is the main difference between UMI and VDE?

They also come from different issuers: Wainwright, Inc. and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for UMI and 0.09% for VDE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

UMI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.73 vs 1.29), 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.