VDE vs. CTA
VDE (Vanguard Energy ETF) and CTA (Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VDE is a Energy Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Energy 25/50 Index, while CTA is a Systematic Trend fund actively managed by Simplify. VDE is passively managed, while CTA is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, VDE returned 15.31%/yr vs 9.57%/yr for CTA. Their 0.08 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. VDE charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.78%/yr for CTA.
Performance
VDE vs. CTA - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VDE achieves a 35.27% return, which is significantly higher than CTA's 6.14% return.
VDE
- 1D
- 0.04%
- 1M
- 10.29%
- 6M
- 22.82%
- YTD
- 35.27%
- 1Y
- 41.64%
- 3Y*
- 15.31%
- 5Y*
- 24.05%
- 10Y*
- 9.81%
- ALL TIME*
- 8.35%
CTA
- 1D
- -1.88%
- 1M
- 7.04%
- 6M
- 2.60%
- YTD
- 6.14%
- 1Y
- 4.94%
- 3Y*
- 9.57%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 8.28%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10.73M | $13.32M | $14.98M | |
| $71.54M | $103.66M | $111.94M |
VDE vs. CTA - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF | 35.27% | 7.11% | 6.75% | 0.03% | 18.83% |
CTA Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF | 6.14% | 0.88% | 24.15% | -2.23% | 9.01% |
Correlation
The correlation between VDE and CTA is 0.41, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.41 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.16 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 8, 2022 | 0.08 |
Over the past year, VDE and CTA have become more correlated (0.41) than their long-term average of 0.08, meaning their price movements have been converging.
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Return for Risk
VDE vs. CTA — Risk / Return Rank
VDE
CTA
VDE vs. CTA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) and Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF (CTA). 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 | CTA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.78 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +2.16 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.32 | 1.05 | +0.27 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.74 | 0.20 | +2.53 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.34 | 0.57 | +6.78 |
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Drawdowns
VDE vs. CTA - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VDE drawdown since its inception was -74.20%, which is greater than CTA's maximum drawdown of -20.44%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VDE and CTA.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VDE | CTA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -74.20% | -20.44% | -53.76% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -15.04% | -20.44% | +5.40% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -21.41% | -20.44% | -0.97% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -26.58% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -69.29% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.29% | -12.91% | +8.62% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -19.90% | -6.01% | -13.89% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.59% | 7.33% | -1.74% |
Volatility
VDE vs. CTA - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) is 5.13%, while Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF (CTA) has a volatility of 5.80%. This indicates that VDE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CTA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VDE | CTA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.13% | 5.80% | -0.67% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 16.34% | 18.29% | -1.95% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 20.76% | 20.97% | -0.21% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 26.14% | 16.71% | +9.43% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 29.90% | 16.71% | +13.19% |
VDE vs. CTA - Expense Ratio Comparison
VDE has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than CTA's 0.78% expense ratio.
Dividends
VDE vs. CTA - Dividend Comparison
VDE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.39%, less than CTA's 4.73% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CTA Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF | 4.73% | 3.19% | 4.80% | 7.78% | 6.58% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF | 2.39% | 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 CTA have a correlation of 0.41, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
CTA has higher volatility (5.80%) compared to VDE (5.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VDE dropped -74.20% vs CTA's -20.44%.
On 3-year performance, VDE leads with 15.31% vs 9.57% for CTA. On fees, VDE is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, VDE has been the lower-risk option at 5.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, VDE has performed better with a 15.31% return vs 9.57%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VDE is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.78% for CTA.
CTA has the higher dividend yield at 4.73%, compared with 2.39% for VDE.
VDE is categorized as Energy Equities, while CTA is Systematic Trend. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Simplify. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for VDE and 0.78% for CTA.
VDE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.98 vs 0.20), 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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