VDE vs. BLV
VDE (Vanguard Energy ETF) and BLV (Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VDE is a Energy Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Energy 25/50 Index, while BLV is a Long-Term Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Long Government/Credit Float Adjusted Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VDE returned 8.84%/yr vs 0.91%/yr for BLV. At a correlation of -0.22, they often move in opposite directions. VDE charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for BLV.
Performance
VDE vs. BLV - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VDE achieves a 22.80% return, which is significantly higher than BLV's 0.81% return. Over the past 10 years, VDE has outperformed BLV with an annualized return of 8.84%, while BLV has yielded a comparatively lower 0.91% annualized return.
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%
BLV
- 1D
- -0.55%
- 1M
- 1.61%
- YTD
- 0.81%
- 6M
- 0.84%
- 1Y
- 5.47%
- 3Y*
- 1.85%
- 5Y*
- -3.65%
- 10Y*
- 0.91%
VDE vs. BLV - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF | 22.80% | 7.11% | 6.75% | 0.03% | 62.89% | 56.31% | -33.02% | 9.28% | -19.95% | -2.50% |
BLV Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF | 0.81% | 6.44% | -3.65% | 7.35% | -26.95% | -2.89% | 16.13% | 18.99% | -4.17% | 10.74% |
Correlation
The correlation between VDE and BLV is -0.23, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.23 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.05 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.09 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | -0.14 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 10, 2007 | -0.22 |
The correlation between VDE and BLV shifts across timeframes, from -0.23 (1 year) to -0.05 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VDE vs. BLV — Risk / Return Rank
VDE
BLV
VDE vs. BLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) and Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF (BLV). 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.
| VDE | BLV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.60 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.74 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.22 | 1.12 | +0.10 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.90 | 0.96 | +0.94 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.92 | 2.34 | +3.58 |
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Drawdowns
VDE vs. BLV - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VDE drawdown since its inception was -74.20%, which is greater than BLV's maximum drawdown of -38.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VDE and BLV.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VDE | BLV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -74.20% | -38.29% | -35.91% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.20% | -5.73% | -8.47% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -21.41% | -15.16% | -6.25% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -26.58% | -36.27% | +9.69% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -69.29% | -38.29% | -31.00% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -13.11% | -23.74% | +10.63% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -19.94% | -9.55% | -10.39% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.57% | 2.34% | +2.23% |
Volatility
VDE vs. BLV - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) has a higher volatility of 7.02% compared to Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF (BLV) at 1.97%. This indicates that VDE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BLV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VDE | BLV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.02% | 1.97% | +5.05% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 16.69% | 5.76% | +10.93% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 20.84% | 7.98% | +12.86% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 26.37% | 12.93% | +13.44% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 29.96% | 11.99% | +17.97% |
VDE vs. BLV - Expense Ratio Comparison
VDE has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is higher than BLV's 0.03% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VDE vs. BLV - Dividend Comparison
VDE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.56%, less than BLV's 4.78% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BLV Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF | 4.78% | 4.67% | 5.09% | 4.06% | 4.17% | 3.37% | 6.12% | 3.57% | 4.07% | 3.63% | 4.16% | 4.37% |
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
VDE and BLV have a correlation of -0.23, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VDE has higher volatility (7.02%) compared to BLV (1.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VDE dropped -74.20% vs BLV's -38.29%.
On 10-year performance, VDE leads with 8.84% vs 0.91% for BLV. On fees, BLV is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, BLV has been the lower-risk option at 1.97%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VDE has performed better with a 8.84% return vs 0.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
BLV is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.09% for VDE.
BLV has the higher dividend yield at 4.78%, compared with 2.56% for VDE.
VDE is categorized as Energy Equities, while BLV is Long-Term Bond. VDE tracks MSCI US Investable Market Energy 25/50 Index, while BLV tracks Bloomberg U.S. Long Government/Credit Float Adjusted Index. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for VDE and 0.03% for BLV.
VDE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.29 vs 0.69), 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.
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